Anyone have a CAD file of the header flange

[Eric Rose]

Hey all

I'm thinking of trying to make up a set of headers myself and I'd like to get a CAD file of the header flange to send to shops to see if I can get it cut on a water-jet. I don't have CAD on my computer, or even a head/gasket to measure from, so any help is appreciated.

 

['68falconohio]

I was wondering about this too. Or better yet, if Mike could get just the header flanges from the new supplier he's using for headers. The guys that are making turbo manifolds would probably like that.

 

[rbohm]

8) what you guys can do is make a pattern using the head and some construction paper. when you have the pattern fitting as you like it, then take the pattern to which ever shop you choose, and have them cut it out for you. they should be able to put the pattern in the computer with no problem.

 

[Eric Rose]

Yeah I was thinking I could take them an exhaust gasket and have them use that to make a CNC program, but having them do the program would add to the cost.

As it stands I'm looking at about $150 for materials including the pair of 3-into-1 collectors. And that doesn't include the cost for machining the flange. The shop I use can punch out round holes with a hydraulic press, I don't see any reason why they can't do square holes . I'll call and ask them in the morning. :idea:

 

['68falconohio]

If you can't get square holes, let them punch round holes with their Iron Worker and attack them with a dremel or die grinder to make them square.

Curious, where are you looking to get your collectors from and what material?

 

[Eric Rose]

Summit has the collectors. The description doesn't list the material, but guessing by the price I'll assume they are just mild steel:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-11511HKR/

Going to call them today and see if they stock these at their Atlanta store. If they do, I might pick up a set tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Eric Rose]

http://www.headersbyed.com/__ford.htm

Found out that "Headers By Ed" in Minnesota carries the flanges. Kinda pricey for one flange at $126 + shipping. They also offer a "build your own" kit, but their kit is about the same price as the Classic Inlines finished header was.

 

['68falconohio]

I found a source for mandrel bends and Anlushac11 gave me another source. I still havn't found an inexpensive source for the flange. Since I want to make a stainless header I'm either going to machine the flange on the mill(don't want to, work hardening's a PITA) or have Laserflex cut it out for me.

www.stainlessheaders.com
www.mandrel-bends.com

Are you going to form the primaries into a rectangular shape and then press them into the flange?

 

[Eric Rose]

Are you going to form the primaries into a rectangular shape and then press them into the flange?

Thats a good question and honestly I haven't thought much about it. I would imagine that if I make the port openings a smidge bigger than the primaries, that I can flatten the primary tubing into a squared off shape and press it in the flange somehow.

 

['68falconohio]

Are you going to form the primaries into a rectangular shape and then press them into the flange?

Thats a good question and honestly I haven't thought much about it. I would imagine that if I make the port openings a smidge bigger than the primaries, that I can flatten the primary tubing into a squared off shape and press it in the flange somehow.

I was thinking about rummaging a piece of square tubing with .250" wall thickness, splitting it in half. and then using it in a bench vise as a forming die. I'm not sure how well it would work, I havn't tried yet.

But I'm pretty sure one of those places i linked for ya above sells stubbies with the ends formed to a square / rectangular shape. That's probably the way I'll go when I start work on my stainless headers.

 

[Eric Rose]

I got a Scott Drake single outlet chrome header at Mustangs Unlimited today, just to have something to put on the car to have it ready for Drive-InVasion the weekend of August 30th. The quality didn't impress me that much, but for $250 its comparable to the ammount of time and materials I'd put into fabricating my own and it will allow me to have the car on the road sooner. I'll probably take on the task of fabricating a header of my own once I get the engine to a point where it can benefit from the extra flow. I am sure the single outlet header I got today is more than enough for my mild cam and 1v carb.

 

[Eric Rose]

Well, fitting the cheap-o header was a real pain. I had to remove the starter, the steering center link, and the alternator. I had to load both the header and then the starter in from the bottom. Trying to manouever the starter in from underneath between the header and the block was also a pain. I had to flatten the #6 primary tube and beat the shock tower back a little as well. And to top it off, the bolts they give you are pretty short, so I had to go all over town looking for some studs.

Now the collector is sitting right against the bracket for the idler arm. It touches, but does not interfere with the steering. I'll probably fix that today. :arg: