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Fitting headers to a 235

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Chebby belair, Oct 23, 2007.

  1. Chebby belair
    Joined: Apr 17, 2006
    Posts: 849

    Chebby belair
    Member
    from Australia

    Plan is to install cast iron headers on my stovie and drive it to the exhaust shop.

    There is a shop near me, but the one I prefer is near where I work, an hour+ commute away. Is it safe to drive this distance (or any distance) just on the cast iron headers?

    I've heard stories of burnt valves and such so thought I'd ask.
     
  2. draggin'GTO
    Joined: Jul 7, 2003
    Posts: 1,792

    draggin'GTO
    Member

    You'll be fine.

    I would just try to avoid a lot of letting off the throttle while in gear, to keep from sucking in any more cold air than necessary. Even then not a big deal.

    Think of all the Harleys that are ridden regularly with short drag pipes.

    Every one of 'em would have burnt or warped valves.
     
  3. David Chandler
    Joined: Jan 27, 2007
    Posts: 1,101

    David Chandler
    Member

    I don't think it will hurt much more than your hearing. Of course sucking in exhaust fumes won't do much for you either. And you might not impress the sound police. As for burning a valve, I doubt if it would. Running less backpressure, would mean less heat, so I wouldn't worry about that. About the only thing that I can think of that you may want to consider is the fire hazard, of running with nothing but the headers. If you still have the old set up on it, and you need the services of an exhaust shop, perhaps it would be better to have them install them, rather than driving it uncorked for an hour.
    Good Luck!
     
  4. 6inarow
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 2,361

    6inarow
    Member

    No way would I drive it 3 blocks with nothing but headers. All you need is a backfire or a belch of flame and your car could go up.

    if nothing else, have some short tubes made with a bend in it so the exhaust at least goes under the floorboard. There is no weight on the pipes and you can drive it a bit to get exhaust. If you have to go more than a couple miles trailer it to be safe.
     

  5. Stovebolt
    Joined: May 2, 2001
    Posts: 3,531

    Stovebolt
    Member

    What Tom said.

    I'd attach the Graham headers, using the existing engine pipe, and get the exhaust shop to make another one. It doesn't matter where it goes under the car, but it needs to exit below the header. If you measure it wrong and have to bend it to get it down, so be it, its only for an hour.

    Its kind of like insurance - we pay it,and hope we don't use it, but its peace of mind.
     
  6. Chebby belair
    Joined: Apr 17, 2006
    Posts: 849

    Chebby belair
    Member
    from Australia

    H'mm must admit I hadn't thought about backfire, and she does fart some - could ruin my whole day. Angles on the outlets are pretty different. Might be easier to have the shop install the manifolds and fit the manifold heat when I get home.
     
  7. 6inarow
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 2,361

    6inarow
    Member

    Hey, I don't mean to be critical - so please dont take it that way. I had one almost go once because I didnt have any header pipes. I got excited and wanted to run my 235 and wanted to get exhaust pipes on it. So I started it up and ran it a bit. The headers are so short, that you will get a flame or 2. When I did put the pipes on to get to the exhaust shop, I could still see where it belched a flame or 2 through the header pipes. the point is, just be careful.
     
  8. PeteFromTexas
    Joined: Apr 4, 2007
    Posts: 3,837

    PeteFromTexas
    Member

    How far under the car would be safe to drive the car to a destination about an hour away?

    My 53 just has enough exhaust to get it just under the driver seat. I want to get it up to the Pistons and Paint show and I don't have the money for an exhaust at the moment. The show is about an hour away from my house. Any thoughts?
     
  9. Road Runner
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,256

    Road Runner
    Member

    I am getting to the same point with my fresh 261 and fentons.
    My exhaust shop is a few blocks away, but the engine still needs breaking in and I want exhaust pipes and mufflers for that.

    Running the headers without any pipes may be fun for a little, but not for break-in or driving.

    Ever ran a 235 with 4 ft straight pipes and no mufflers over 2500 rpm on the freeway without ear protection? - Two words: Ear damage - never mind hurting the engine or not.


    I thought of either renting a small u-haul tow dolly for my truck or just use up a couple of free tows off my AAA service.
     
  10. OLLIN
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 3,147

    OLLIN
    Member

    why not just take the headers with you and install them yourself on the street in front of the muffler shop, or in the parking lot. It only takes about 30-45 mins.
     
  11. newstranger
    Joined: Aug 2, 2005
    Posts: 587

    newstranger
    Member

    I goosed my coupe a couple of miles with nothing but Fentons to get the exhaust done... no big deal. Took side streets, rarely went over 30 mph, feathered every shift to keep back pressure down. It was fine...

    -ns
     
  12. Hellfish
    Joined: Jun 19, 2002
    Posts: 6,626

    Hellfish
    Member

    I install temporary flex pipes on cars until they get to the shop. You can get a complete exhaust kit for a 235 with Fentons from National Chevy Assoc, including glass/steel packs made for your car... 49-52, or 53-54 for probably the same or less than your local shop
     
  13. 52pu
    Joined: Nov 30, 2005
    Posts: 11

    52pu
    Member
    from York State

    You've got oil lines down there on that side also and without some sort of extension's past the fentons the line will get cooked. Recommend some short extensions and flex pipe to get you there. Brockman steel packs are the way to go for mufflers.
     
  14. RF
    Joined: Mar 13, 2001
    Posts: 1,897

    RF
    Member

    I've been in this situation a number of times. Since I know the muffler shop owner very well now, if headers or manifolds are involved, I swap them at the shop (they get there early, otherwise I'd start wrenchin before they opened).

    I just noticed where you were located. Was gonna suggest the same as Hellfish and mention Patrick's as another option (he offers a full stainless exhaust system), but after shipping and whatnot, it'd probably be quite expensive I'd imagine.
     
  15. Road Runner
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,256

    Road Runner
    Member

    Just learned from another thread about a tow bar mounted to the bumper.
    That has to be the cheapest and best method to safely haul my coupe with my truck over short distances, if needed.
    Like a trip to the muffler shop, or escaping from fires here in CA.
     
  16. 53sled
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 5,817

    53sled
    Member
    from KCMO

    BRILLIANT! Fortunately, the exhaust shop
    I used is 5 miles from my mom's, so the open manifold on country roads wasn't a big deal.
     
  17. Big Tony
    Joined: Mar 29, 2006
    Posts: 3,588

    Big Tony
    Member

    I can tell you from experience that i had trouble taking mine to the muffler shop accross town. The headers are very short and i would definately attach a little pipe before going. Its just not worth maybe having a problem.. Good luck
     
  18. Chebby belair
    Joined: Apr 17, 2006
    Posts: 849

    Chebby belair
    Member
    from Australia

    No offence taken. I'd considered the noise, but hadn't thought about backfire. Since I fitted a Pertronix she gives plenty of crackle back on the downshift, so I would have had a problem fer shure.:eek: Ned to dig up a timing light I guess.

    Getting an NCA kit was tempting as prices here can outweigh the shipping costs down under, best price round town for me is $400 with me supplying mufflers. I have heard some folks with problems fitting the NCA kits and I'm not sure about pipe routing as the gearbox is a little different on right hand drive cars.
     

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