Time for a new header

[phaetn]

When I first bought the car two years ago the exhaust manifold was quite loud; before the previous owner's mechanic would safety it he wanted to take off the manifold and weld a lug in place as he said he could feel a hole. Fair enough. The P.O. paid for it as the sale was conditional on the safety. A day later I picked it up and seemed a bit quieter, but the car was totally new to me so I didn't know what was what yet.

I drive it as a daily commuter for three out of four seasons. At the very end of the driving season last year (as late as December) I noticed the engine was louder than usual with the hood open on the exhaust side; a carefully inserted hand under the manifold revealed a draft.

Fast forward to this Spring. Still loud, still breezy. Tighten up the exhaust manifold nuts but no change. On the first drive of 2016, just around the block and with my wife in the car, I can now hear valve ticking. She seems to cheer when I say I need a new header (no, really!! there's video proof)

Still can't feel the hole by hand so I get my phone under there and film. Upon review, first a little hole appears, then another, then... woah!! A real biggie on the left. In a NY accent: "That's Yuge!"


I can't test my marriage with an Allison's coiled snakes header at $US650 (around CA$1k with the exchange rate and duty) but I think I can get away with a Vick's stainless header 4-2-1 with the 2.25" collector. I'll be sorry to see the original go, but I don't think it makes sense to keep taking it off and repairing it.

Hmmm... any more upgrade creeps? I guess the valve seals are next but I will keep that all stock...

Cheers,
phaetn

[124JOE]

well as i see things
the air in the headder needs to flow smooth
and with the mecanics weld i bet it was not smooth
so yes to keep it running the best you should replace it

"tell your wife"

[ORFORD2004]

I have one from a 2L FI if you need it.

John

[phaetn]

Thanks, John, I'll keep that in mind. Is is a 4-2 or 4-1?

I like the idea of stainless, but I don't want to just throw money away either...

Cheers,
phaetn

[Exit98]

Before you start paying big $ try to find a used 1800 4-2 manifold. They are pretty sturdy, although we couldn't prove that looking at yours. I don't know if a 1600 manifold would work but others on here would. If so it would make your search a little easier as there are more of them around.

Good luck.

[ORFORD2004]

Is is a 4-2 or 4-1?

4-2

[narfire]

If you wanted to smarten the "look" of the 4-2 up, consider getting it and the down pipe ceramic coated. looked good I thought before I went to a header. ceramic coated that as well..... As a mater of fact I have the exhaust manifold ceramic coated on the 72 in the shop.


Chris