Tubing exhaust headers are available from Reds headers: www.reds-headers.net Then click on 6 cylinder. Header flanges are available from: www.victoryheaderflanges.com Both look like new production items.
226/254 headers and flanges available
- Thread starter flatford6
- Start date
ford6man27
Well-known member
This is some pics of the headers and intake that I built for a vintage dirt track car with a 226 flathead. It sure would have been easier if flanges had been available. In our kind of racing we probably value function over show. That is why we don't polish things up as much.
Andy
Andy
texas_rat_trap
Well-known member
Thats one bad ass flathead.
That's a beautiful job on that intake/ exhaust. How did the engine perform when you got it on the track? Was it built as a 226 or a 254. Could you give us an update on this? In one of the pictures there is a car in the back ground with 6 stacks pointing up ward. Is this the car and engine you refer to in your many posts on the 300 site? Why are the runners for the paired intake ports tapered wider as they approach the block? Is there an internal separater inside? Fyi, there is a realy nice over and under aluminum intake manifold used on late 4.0 Jeeps, 99 to 06. It is made for injection and has 6 equal length runners.. Four of the six ports line up pretty good. The ports are about 1/4" wider than the unported Ford ports, not a problem. It could be run upside down with a Holley for a better port approach angle. The adapter would have to extend about 2 1/2 + inches out from the block to clear the manifold studs.
ford6man27
Well-known member
Thanks for the compliment, I have been building dirt track cars since
1960 but have never claimed to be good at it. I am an old man that does things the old way. I just copied the taper of the stock manifold but with bigger ports to match the racing engine. The block in the pics is just for mock up. The engine they have been racing is a mildly built 226 but I think a much stronger 254 is in the works for next season. The 3 single barrel carbs are maybe a little much for the 226 but the whole system was built with the 254 in mind. The little 226 runs really strong for its size.
Yes the car in the background is my 31 model A with a 300 six. The guys give me heck about my long tube hedders but that is what I ran in the 60's so I built these for old times sake. Probably giving up some HP but I like them and they make a lot of noise. If you like the old dirt track cars, we have a website. Its new and doesn't have a lot on it yet but you can check it out at OVSCRA.com
Andy
1960 but have never claimed to be good at it. I am an old man that does things the old way. I just copied the taper of the stock manifold but with bigger ports to match the racing engine. The block in the pics is just for mock up. The engine they have been racing is a mildly built 226 but I think a much stronger 254 is in the works for next season. The 3 single barrel carbs are maybe a little much for the 226 but the whole system was built with the 254 in mind. The little 226 runs really strong for its size.
Yes the car in the background is my 31 model A with a 300 six. The guys give me heck about my long tube hedders but that is what I ran in the 60's so I built these for old times sake. Probably giving up some HP but I like them and they make a lot of noise. If you like the old dirt track cars, we have a website. Its new and doesn't have a lot on it yet but you can check it out at OVSCRA.com
Andy
texas_rat_trap
Well-known member
Hey Ford6man27 how did you make the header collectors?.. Skool Me Please. Just picked up a set of Header Flanges for my 223cid. I thought about buying a set from a speed parts catalog but would have to modify cuz it being a 4 collector & need 3 collector...if that makes sense.
ford6man27
Well-known member
I take 3 pieces of pipe the same size or slightly bigger than the exhaust tubing I plan to use, weld them together side by side with the ends even.
I then clamp the pipe in the vise with the ends sticking out to the side about 2 inches. Start the collector over the ends of the pipes[ sometimes you have to stretch the collector at the 3 different places to get it to start over the pipes] then by heating the collector between each 2 pipes hammer the metal down between the pipes. A chisel that is ground off round on the end so as not to cut the collector will do the final sharp bend between the pipes. The reason for using the heavier pipes is that the exhaust tubing is to soft to use for an anvil. Don't forget to weld up the 3 cornered star between the exhaust tubes and weld between each of the tubes up the pipes as for as the collector fits or you will have a leak. If you want the best sounding headers use a drive shaft for the collector
material. Have you ever been under your car and hit the drive shaft with an end wrench? Makes a ringing sound . I don't know why but the sound resonates or something, Sure makes a deep mellow sound.
sorry for the book
Andy
I then clamp the pipe in the vise with the ends sticking out to the side about 2 inches. Start the collector over the ends of the pipes[ sometimes you have to stretch the collector at the 3 different places to get it to start over the pipes] then by heating the collector between each 2 pipes hammer the metal down between the pipes. A chisel that is ground off round on the end so as not to cut the collector will do the final sharp bend between the pipes. The reason for using the heavier pipes is that the exhaust tubing is to soft to use for an anvil. Don't forget to weld up the 3 cornered star between the exhaust tubes and weld between each of the tubes up the pipes as for as the collector fits or you will have a leak. If you want the best sounding headers use a drive shaft for the collector
material. Have you ever been under your car and hit the drive shaft with an end wrench? Makes a ringing sound . I don't know why but the sound resonates or something, Sure makes a deep mellow sound.
sorry for the book
Andy
texas_rat_trap
Well-known member
No book at all....I love learnin' these tricks of the trade. Thanks for the great info. Guess I'll have to go to the junkyard this weekend to get an old drive shaft.
texas_rat_trap
Well-known member
One more question I forgot to ask. What kind of pipe bender you using? Can I use a manual hand pump bottle jack type bender.
