'Simple' Headers for early Funny Car/Gasser: How to make?

[Speedfreak]

Let me emphasize simple here, I don'rt want anything utilizing a bench vise etc,.... I'm currently working on the AMT Funny Car Mustang-GT kit, the headers are atrocious, so I'm going to try my hand at making some for the first time. Plastic, or , solder? Since I've never done this it seems that solder might be easier to work with? What are the key things I need to be aware of when making headers? Like how to make each side the same, etc,. Greatful for any help, thanks.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Speedfreak

[1930fordpickup]

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67799&hl=headers

This just one of the answers I got from typing headers into the tips section Gene. Many more one here and some mentioned Youtube .

Edited August 31, 2014 by 1930fordpickup

[Speedfreak]

ips? Andy, You mean the search box on this site? What does ips stand for in this case?

Edited August 28, 2014 by Speedfreak

[bobthehobbyguy]

If you look at the tip provided it is from the tips and tutorials. In the model building section is a pinned ite for how to do a search for existing threads.

[Speedfreak]

Roger thanks for the very informative, useful info. Sounds doable.

Bob, and , Andy, thanks for the info. I did a search prior to posting my question, which inspired me to ask the ' specific ' question that I have.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Speedfreak

[W-409]

I think you will get better results with styrene rod. It's not possible to make such tight bends on solder as they should and while bending another bend on the solder, you might ruin the first one. I've built headers from solder before, but nowadays I don't do it anymore, because in my opinion, the headers made out of styrene look much better.

What I do:

1. I make header flanges out of thin sheet styrene and drill holes for the .080 styrene rod that will be used as exhaust pipes.

2. I start with the 7 & 8 cylinder header pipes. I test fit the styrene rod on place and mark where should I bend it and to what direction. I use a candle to heat up the styrene, but you must be very careful not to heat it up so that it'll melt. It's better to heat it up too little than too much, as you can always heat it more.

3. This way you can make all of the header pipes. It's actually very easy, and I succeeded on my first try. Always when one exhaust pipe is bent ready, just glue it on and let it dry properly before bending the second pipe. That way the pipes will fit together into the collectors nicely when finished.

Building collectors is completely another story. But it's not that different either.

4. Start by cutting the header pipes even from the place where the collectors will be attached. Then glue a little piece of styrene rod on place. It should be about the same size as the four header pipes are together. Like this:

5. Then take out the thinnest sheet styrene you have, and make a round piece (Like a tube) out of it and glue it over the little styrene rod piece you just glued on step four. With a little heat and a flat screwdriver, push those little "sinkholes" on them and smooth out the seam that came visible when you glued this piece of sheet styrene as round.

Then just paint your headers and they're done!

[southpier]

I can see how both methods could find their place depending on the situation.

[High octane]

Those are great lookin' headers Niko.

[Speedfreak]

Thanks Niko, Thanks for taking the time to show your method, you get good results. What kind of adhesive do you use for this?

Also, I changed my search parameters and got better results.

[W-409]

Thanks Guys!

What kind of adhesive do you use for this?

I'm not quite sure what adhesive means, as I didn't find a simple translation for it in the English/Finnish dictionary... But I guess it's the same as glue? If it is, I used just a regular Locktite Super Glue that I used to glue the header pipes into the flanges and to glue the header pipes together under the collectors.

If adhesive means something else... Just explain it and I'll answer agan.

[Speedfreak]

You got it right Niko! Did you measure for the holes you drilled into the cylinder heads? Or, use some kind of template/pattern?

Edited August 30, 2014 by Speedfreak

[W-409]

Actually I didn't drill holes to the cylinder heads. When the header pipes have a tight fit with the flanges, you don't have to drill the heads. But if the holes are a bit "too large" on the flanges, then it's a good idea to drill holes to the cylinder heads, too. I had to do that once, and I did so that I glued the flanges to the heads and then the holes on the flanges worked as a template to drill the holes. Hope this makes sense.

[1930fordpickup]

ips? Andy, You mean the search box on this site? What does ips stand for in this case?

LOL Gene I fixed my Post

[Speedfreak]

Andy, LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL! Here's what I came up with trying to figure out what you meant, ' Internet Personal Search.

[10thumbs]

Niko, those are some pretty nice headers there.

Michael

[W-409]

Niko, those are some pretty nice headers there.

Michael

Thanks Michael! I'm pretty happy how they turned out, too.