History When did aftermarket headers appear?

I hope my question is understandable.
I'm searching headders for my hotrodproject wich I wanna build in pre-65-style.
So for my sbc I'm looking for headders and I am not sure what was availible at this time.
I was googleing (is this word correct? I don't think so... sorry) but found nothing.
What would be a good source?
Searching for an intake some people posted old Edelbrock catalogues etc.
Does anybody has similar material about headders?

 

Hedman Hedders started in '54. Old Hedman tri y would be great, like these. Also, headers were avail. then for early Vette, which are a center dump style.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/old-hedman-tri-y-headers-for-sbc.973975/

 

What a nice pair of headers!

 

Did all other aftermarket headers appear after 1965?

 

Exhaust headers have been available since Model T Fords were being hopped up.

 

Doug Thorley 50's also...

 

Any source where I can see some?

 

My old 51 Merc came with aftermarket headers when I bought it in 1962 and they were old and pretty well worn out then.
Researching old adds in old rod magazine is your best source for what was available when. Or articles in old magazines that were produced after the engine that "could use" the headers came out.
I started reading hot rod magazines around 1958 and there were adds for headers then. Honest Charlie or JC Whitney showed them along with other outfits that advertised then.
If you wanted to know about headers for a V8 Small block Chevrolet you would start with magazines that came out in early 1955 as they usually only had a one month lead time before the date of the issue then. A January 1955 issue would probably have shown up in Mid December rather in mid October as they do now.

 

Hot Rod magazine started in 1948 and they were carrying ads from several header manufacturers in that first year.

 

in the Sixties I was Selling Hooker Header's

Just my 3.5 cents
or when the Cows
come Home.!

 

How far do Reds headers go back? Then there's always Fenton headers which I recall as a kid, just not sure on the year.

 

Belond headers might have started in the earlier 50s...but by the time the sbc came out in 1955..there were the ones listed above making them...

 

My uncle bought a new 50 OLDS 88 and it went to the local speed shop for headers and Douglas steel packs on its way home from the dealer.

 

I think Belond was one of, if not the first to offer a line of pre-made headers for most popular cars.
Steffen, if you could get someone to loan you a set of old Hedman Tri-Ys, any good custom header guy/fabricator could duplicate them by building a simple fixture on a bench top. The head flanges were just 1/4" x 2" hot rolled steel with the ports drilled using a hole saw. The tubes were 1 1/2" OD and the outlets were 2". When I went to work for Hedman (many years ago) we were still making some of the 1950s part numbers.
I built a slightly updated set for my Model A sedan because I always liked the design. (I used slightly more sophisticated flanges)

 

Steffen....the vintage Hedman headers pop up on Ebay now and again. Have had many sets myself...they're out there...you just have to be patient..

 

I have 1949 - 1951 Smithy's & Porter literature - will look later tonight for dates. Fenton headers are first listed in early '53.

 

One of the dead giveaways to "later looking" headers is the flange.....if it is factory formed or "cut away" where a temp sender would go in the head, they are post '68 (unless someone modded an early set, which was often done quite crude) - The hedman's linked to in the second post are a really good example of an early header

 

I want a to make a similar set for my Tudor, how much did it cost to get them chromed? I want mine chromed like BAD!

 

I was thinking the same thing about Fenton....the fellow above who listed that a 50 Olds got headers when new.....they were probably Fenton cast iron "headers" if it was done that early..

 

Autopower Corp was making header flanges in the Fifties using a pantograph flame cutter for almost every header company in Southern California. I think Hooker was the first company to bite the bullet and pay for stamping dies to make SBC header flanges. Beginning in the early sixties, every header company was using stamped flanges. An easy way to tell how old headers are is to check the flanges as to whether they were flame cut (early sixties) or stamped.

 

My race partner Bruce Geisler dug the pit in Doug Thorley's first exhaust shop. They are both still around I see Bruce at least once a week and talk to Doug frequently so I can confirm times and dates for you.

 

Belond header ads from 1951 and 1948. This is the style I will be running on my T roadster.

 

my dad bought these in the late '50's. hedman headers for a sbc. before i cleaned them up.

 

the driver side was modified to clear the steering box.
cleaned and back on the engine.

 

driver side:

 

I have a set of Belond Ford V8-60 midget race car headers that I bought from original purchaser, 1947 and they are in great condition, using them on family midget I'm restoring. I Asked here on Midget thread on the HAMB and was contacted by seller, deal was made, I'm a happy man.

 

The first aftermarket headers were built right after the first internal combustion was run by a hot rodder!

 

Falcongeorge, I paid $200 to have them chromed by a place in SoCal about 7 years ago. Cheaper than coating and more period correct. I screwed up and had the engine retarded when I broke in the cam so they blued up real fast. My damper and aftermarket timing tab didn't jive so the timing was way retarded.
Squablow, those are some nice looking headers in that lower ad, aren't they? If you've got a set of them, I'm jealous.
Tb33anda3rd, someone did a bunch of modifying on those old Hedmans over the years, stacked generator brackets, a zig-zag and those bitchin' cut-outs. Great score. They look great on your coupe.

 

Thanks for al that qualified feedback!
I must say that I am in Germany and over here it's not so easy to look in old aftermarket catalouges. I tried to find some on ebay, but that's also very hard.
I like the look of the try-y hedman headers.
specially the rough flanges make them very cool. An nice historic footnote - befor the aftermarket industry grew up and changed to the stamped ones, like Mr. Denis4x4 explained.
I will try to find some or if this does not work rebuild them over here.
So if someone hast some to sell let me know!

 

Mr. Tb33anda3rd, is this a 3-window Chevy coupé?
I like the 4-leaf-spring design. And it's always nice to see that someone is not changing over to Ford front ends.