Which Chevy fenderwell headers suit (early) A-body best?

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GunslingerFIN

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There was lengthy (and good) discussion about fenderwell headers ongoing, but it was deleted for some reason. Production of "the" headers (Hedman 75110) is apparently halted for now, and it's still a question if it will resume or not. On the previous chat, common solution offered was to get Chevy headers, and then change the flanges to Mopar flanges. If the Hedman headers won't resume production, this might be a way for me to go. I tried to look at the Chevy headers from Speedway, and there's a several options that look like (from the pictures) that they _might_ be ok, but I'd like to ask has anyone actually done this, what headers did you use, and how did they end up fitting?

Based on the pictures alone, these two would be my first candidates:

What I'm looking for, is headers that would ideally fit just by changing the flanges. Main concerns are pipe #7 (how does it go around master cylincer) and then the general shape, does the collector end up in correct spot between body and front tire?
 

IF I had to make a guess......
I'd try the nova/camaro version. I think the 55-57 headers would be too wide, and interfere with the master cylinder.
I am looking at the Nova/camaro big block fenderwells for my Opel. Nothing wrong with the ones I've got.... except there's a tube too close to the down tube from the roll cage, theyre coated, and I don't want to mess them up to use a raised port set of heads.
I'm willing to move a tube or two of the cheap Speedway headers, UNcoated, if necessary.
 
Newbomb Turk said:
There is no such thing as a Chevy header fitting an early A.

There isn’t a Chevy out there with the engine offset in the chassis to the passenger side. Not one.
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OH come ON. This might be an idea. I did this years ago with the SB Mopar swapped into an old FJ-40 Landcruiser. Bought some universal Chev headers, and a Mopar flange and got to work. You can cut off, add two, tweak the tubes basically rebuild part of them. I will admit tho, that the likelyhood of a close fit for other reasons might a stretch. You MIGHT be better off getting a tubing and bends kit and start from scratch
 
"What I'm looking for, is headers that would ideally fit just by changing the flanges. "
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Obviously you missed his whole point
 
Here is what you are looking for . Chevy to any body you like, One size fits all. Just cut to length.
1741188755549.png
 
Newbomb Turk said:
There is no such thing as a Chevy header fitting an early A.

There isn’t a Chevy out there with the engine offset in the chassis to the passenger side. Not one.
Click to expand...
To re-iterate my first comment, the idea came from people who apparently have done this. That's why I'm asking for more info. And quite frankly I don't care, at all, if one collector is two inches closer to fender or other is two inches closer to frame rail, as long as they both end up in place where I can continue the exhaust pipes. Idea is to keep them outside of frame rails anyway, ending in front of the rear tires.
A56 said:
"What I'm looking for, is headers that would ideally fit just by changing the flanges. "
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Obviously you missed his whole point
Click to expand...
You missed the word ideally. Naturally if such headers do not exist, then some work needs to be done. Framing of the comments on the previous thread ("_just_ buy Chevy headers and change flanges") gave me hope that there would be headers which would fit with sensible amount of work. And like the title says, I'm not looking for headers that fit _perfectly_, I'm looking for headers which fit the best :)
 
Outside the frame rails, along the rockers, turnouts in front of the rear wheels, is exactly how my Opel is set up.
Looonngg 3" magnaflow straight thru mufflers.
 
GunslingerFIN said:
To re-iterate my first comment, the idea came from people who apparently have done this. That's why I'm asking for more info. And quite frankly I don't care, at all, if one collector is two inches closer to fender or other is two inches closer to frame rail, as long as they both end up in place where I can continue the exhaust pipes. Idea is to keep them outside of frame rails anyway, ending in front of the rear tires.

You missed the word ideally. Naturally if such headers do not exist, then some work needs to be done. Framing of the comments on the previous thread ("_just_ buy Chevy headers and change flanges") gave me hope that there would be headers which would fit with sensible amount of work. And like the title says, I'm not looking for headers that fit _perfectly_, I'm looking for headers which fit the best :)
Click to expand...
Obviously I didn't miss the word as it's right there. :rofl:
 
lemondana said:
Forget the POS fenderwell headers and get TTI's
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input, but not the answer I'm looking for. On my previous Valiant I had TTI headers - did not like them. On my current Valiant I have Hooker semi-fenderwell headers, do not like them. I'm going for full fenderwells.
 
Access to some of the spark plugs, access to oil filter, too close to steering shaft, small. Maybe there was some issues with ground clearance.. not sure about that one since it was ~ 10 years ago when I had the TTI headers, but I sure do have ground clearance issues with the current Hooker headers :lol: and since the inner fenders are already butchered for the Hooker headers, there is not really major downside on going full fenderwell.

Edit:
Those are only the issues on the front end of the car. With the inbound rear springs the rear axle - spring - shock area is also really tight fit. By moving the exhaust totally outside of the frame rails would give better access to everything on the engine compartment and would give much more room on the underside of the whole car. I'm fully aware that I might get tire clearance issues in the change, but those usually can be solved by getting proper size wheels and tires.
 
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GunslingerFIN said:
To re-iterate my first comment, the idea came from people who apparently have done this. That's why I'm asking for more info. And quite frankly I don't care, at all, if one collector is two inches closer to fender or other is two inches closer to frame rail, as long as they both end up in place where I can continue the exhaust pipes. Idea is to keep them outside of frame rails anyway, ending in front of the rear tires.

You missed the word ideally. Naturally if such headers do not exist, then some work needs to be done. Framing of the comments on the previous thread ("_just_ buy Chevy headers and change flanges") gave me hope that there would be headers which would fit with sensible amount of work. And like the title says, I'm not looking for headers that fit _perfectly_, I'm looking for headers which fit the best :)
Click to expand...


The engine bay on the early A’s is very small.

The engine is IIRC an inch or so offset to the passenger side.

That means that at least on the drivers side the down tubes that should be heading down the outside of the inside of the inner fender will be hitting the inside of the inner fender.

So rather than just cutting a hole in the fender, you’ll be dropping the hole down the inner fender. You’d have to take most of it out.

And who knows what else it’s going to hit?

On the passenger side the header will be an inch or so to the outside of the inner fender. What if the tubes are now going to hit the inside of the outer fender? That’s a big **** sandwich to eat.

IMO if you are serious about it you should fab your own headers.

I’d have the 1/2/3/4 tubes come off the head and go under the chassis and the 5/6/7/8 tubes go out the fender and have them meet at the collector under the car.

That way only two tubes on both sides are out in the fender well. It will also help with tire clearance if there’s only two tubes going into the fender well.

They’ll still be pretty long though.
 
33IMP said:
I'd try the nova/camaro version.
I am looking at the Nova/camaro big block fenderwells for my Opel.
Click to expand...

abdywgn said:
If you could get dimensions from the maker, 62-67 Nova might work. about the same width, has the coil spring/shock tower it has to sweep behind. just my guess.
Click to expand...
While searching for general info about fenderwell headers, I stumbled upon this thread:
www.forabodiesonly.com

Opinion needed

I’m new here but have been on FBBO for years , Ive come a cross this 65 Dart 71 318 / new 904 trans that’s all I know right now Have not seen the car in person yet , the owner is out of town. Can I get some input what to look for and opinions on pics. Thanks
www.forabodiesonly.com www.forabodiesonly.com

on the first post, there's a picture of fenderwell headers on -65 Dart, and just by looking at the basic shape of the pipes, I think those could be 62-67 Nova headers: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...sser-Fenderwell-Headers-Raw-Finish,65985.html

They seem to fit quite well, except for the fact that #7 pipe goes between the brake lines just after they come out of the master cylinder.
 
GunslingerFIN said:
Thank you for your input, but not the answer I'm looking for. On my previous Valiant I had TTI headers - did not like them. On my current Valiant I have Hooker semi-fenderwell headers, do not like them. I'm going for full fenderwells.
Click to expand...


Oh crap. I just saw you are in Finland.

That makes the job a good bit more difficult.

I wish I could tell you of a header that with a flange change would fit or even be close.

I guess maybe it might be worth looking into fender well headers for the 67 and up A’s and maybe sectioning the tubes a bit to make them not go out and hit the inside of the outer fender.

I’m just not sure how doable that is or how doable and how much work it would be if you tried a Chevy II header and cut the flanges.

I suppose if you found Chevy headers that were close and you change the flange you could section and shorten the tubes where they come off the flange, and used the sectioned pieces from passenger side header and section those pieces into the drivers side header.

I’m just throwing out horrible ideas because that’s all I’ve got.

Sorry about that.
 
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Yeah, it does not make things easy. Mostly because no-one has anything on the shelf here, so I cannot go and take a look at the headers with my own peepers, I have to rely on pictures and other peoples wisdom. And of course major downside is that $1000 headers for you is closer to $2000 headers for me..

And don't worry Newbomb, I'm grateful for every idea and thought, they might give me new insights and point me to new directions!
 
Just throwing this out there if you interested in Big Block Mopar vintage JR coated fender well coated I got a pair....also have slip tube small block super comps 1 7/8 3.5 collection no flanges.....got some 1 3/4 hustlers slip tube small block with stainless merge collectors
 
GunslingerFIN said:
While searching for general info about fenderwell headers, I stumbled upon this thread:
[/URL]

on the first post, there's a picture of fenderwell headers on -65 Dart, and just by looking at the basic shape of the pipes, I think those could be 62-67 Nova headers: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...sser-Fenderwell-Headers-Raw-Finish,65985.html

They seem to fit quite well, except for the fact that #7 pipe goes between the brake lines just after they come out of the master cylinder.
Click to expand...
The headers on that red 65 dart look the same as these.
hedman fender well headers #75109 1 3/4"tubes
 
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