Seeking Exhaust Advice

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33IMP said:
Fenderwell headers are for gasser wannabes. That is a nice streetcar I would hate to see fenderwell headers on it. And I have a car with fenderwell headers. I have a simple muffler setup on it, but I don't care for the sound, you only hear one bank of the engine on each side of the car.
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Thanks
 
64DartV8 said:
Thank you, that is not something I've heard before. My plan was to seek out an accomplished welder who could minimize the openings.
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Your choice but there are better ways. I need to read back and see what engine you have. If it's a hot rod you might need headers. Otherwise if you have a 273-4 barrel, a nice dual system off manifolds or a HP single system will be A-OK.
 
I have Doug's on my 65 Formula S. While I agree they are a tight fit, they fit very well! My car was very solid when purchased many years ago. There's just no way I could bring myself to cut it up for headers. At the end of the day it's your car, do what you will with it. 65'
 
dibbons said:
The orginal poster wants info on fenderwell headers. Why try to change his mind instead of answering his question? Fenderwell headers were all that were available in 1975 when I installed mine. Personally, I wasn't trying to copy a gasser. If one prefers TTI and Dougs that is fantastic, but I still say you can't beat access and convenience with fenderwells, plus the bends in the pipes are not as severe which may or may not increase performance potential.
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That is absolutely why these headers were purchased, there were no other options at the time.
 
ddartdude said:
Yes. We'll said.

I have 2 HP Darts. One with fenderwell headers and one with Doug's. I have a 4-post car lift in my garage and was able to install the Doug's myself - with no help. The rest of the exhaust was on the car.

The fenderwell headers are of an unknown make and were installed back in the late 60's. Definitely a hack job. I would not recommend going this route.

Sell the Hooker's and get an Accurate Exhaust Products system. Kind of pricey but worth it. I think toolmanmike has the system on his Dart. They add just the right amount of rumble to the car.

Just my opinion.
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I like the do it myself part, I appreciate the references and I will check out the company you mentioned. I had been to a car show about 15 years ago and gotten a card from Pypes in PA, they seem to still be around, but I wanted to hear from someone who had actually done the job and what they used. Thank you.
 
toolmanmike said:
Your choice but there are better ways. I need to read back and see what engine you have. If it's a hot rod you might need headers. Otherwise if you have a 273-4 barrel, a nice dual system off manifolds or a HP single system will be A-OK.
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It's a 318-4bbl, 4 speed and the manifolds on there are Mopar high performance, but as I said, it needs exhaust work and I'm looking forward to the look and sound of headers.
 
64DartV8 said:
It's a 318-4bbl, 4 speed and the manifolds on there are Mopar high performance, but as I said, it needs exhaust work and I'm looking forward to the look and sound of headers.
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My Swinger needs exhaust as well. It still has the homemade duals on it. (original Y pipe split) I will get a nice dual kit and keep the stock manifolds ir bolt on a pair of 68 340 manifolds. Eventually I will dd the 4 barrel and intake.
 
64DartV8 said:
My question is, should I attempt to do it myself
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I installed those Hookers into a 65 V100 wagon..... in the mid 70s. I was born in 53. I borrowed my Dad's tools, and had at it, no templates, just trial and error. It turned out beautiful.
The short-block was a 340. The cam was a factory 318, as was everything from the decks up, including the 2bbl. That is my all-time favorite combo. The A904 died first. I then gave the car to my lil brother,10 years my junior, along with a good slanty, and he put it back to stock. She drove for several years after that.
I do not recall what ever happened to those headers.
If a mid 20syear-old, hi-school drop-out, like me can do it, with borrowed tools..... I suspect anyone could; HAVE AT IT!
 
You can buy exhaust kits and do it yourself.
Depending on size,2.25,2.5,it is not that hard,biggest issue will be around axle and fuel tank, that is where a shop will be of benefit.
 
64mopar said:
You can buy exhaust kits and do it yourself.
Depending on size,2.25,2.5,it is not that hard,biggest issue will be around axle and fuel tank, that is where a shop will be of benefit.
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With all the nicely made mandrel bend systems out there, a exhaust shop rarely does them cheaper and better.
 
AJ/FormS said:
I installed those Hookers into a 65 V100 wagon..... in the mid 70s. I was born in 53. I borrowed my Dad's tools, and had at it, no templates, just trial and error. It turned out beautiful.
The short-block was a 340. The cam was a factory 318, as was everything from the decks up, including the 2bbl. That is my all-time favorite combo. The A904 died first. I then gave the car to my lil brother,10 years my junior, along with a good slanty, and he put it back to stock. She drove for several years after that.
I do not recall what ever happened to those headers.
If a mid 20syear-old, hi-school drop-out, like me can do it, with borrowed tools..... I suspect anyone could; HAVE AT IT!
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Thank you very much. I'm going to attempt to start the job with my brother on Monday. He had a Valiant and I believe he used a hammer and chisel to put them on his in the mid 1970's.
 
toolmanmike said:
With all the nicely made mandrel bend systems out there, a exhaust shop rarely does them cheaper and better.
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Thank you for the reference, I'll google Mandrel Bend system. Our plan is to try to extract the stock hp manifolds without cracking any studs and then take it from there.
 
AJ/FormS said:
I installed those Hookers into a 65 V100 wagon..... in the mid 70s. I was born in 53. I borrowed my Dad's tools, and had at it, no templates, just trial and error. It turned out beautiful.
The short-block was a 340. The cam was a factory 318, as was everything from the decks up, including the 2bbl. That is my all-time favorite combo. The A904 died first. I then gave the car to my lil brother,10 years my junior, along with a good slanty, and he put it back to stock. She drove for several years after that.
I do not recall what ever happened to those headers.
If a mid 20syear-old, hi-school drop-out, like me can do it, with borrowed tools..... I suspect anyone could; HAVE AT IT!
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Thanks for the support. I have a dream. I know it wont look this nice when I'm done because even just painting them took 3 cans of high heat spray and they look terrible. But here's what I'm shooting for. Not sure where I got the picture.

IMG_20221217_104149.jpg
 
Wayoutfish said:
Did you ever install your fenderwell headers?
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No, and it seems like a lifetime ago, but I've renewed my interest because I now have a garage to work in and it's winter. My brother and I are going to try to get the old manifolds off on Monday and take it from there. I believe that removing the rusted on manifolds and re-routing the brake lines will be the biggest challenge for now. I'd still like a reference for the installing cut-outs, mufflers, tailpipes, etc. but someone mentioned a madrel bend system. Thanks for the follow-up.
 
64DartV8 said:
Thank you for the reference, I'll google Mandrel Bend system. Our plan is to try to extract the stock hp manifolds without cracking any studs and then take it from there.
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Just an FYI. All 273 manifolds are the same. There is no HP manifolds,
 
64DartV8 said:
My question is, should I attempt to do it myself (long, but limited mechanical expertise.) by ordering a whole system to bolt it, or is it such a challenge that a good shop would be worth the money?
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installing the headers probably isn't too bad since they are fenderwell.. use the templates, cut small and only open to what you need... the exhaust is a different story. no one is making a kit for that thing. have to get it to an exhaust shop. i friend uses a real good shop in the trenton nj area. i can get the name for ya if you want..
 
If you can possibly afford it, a coating (like jet hot) is a great idea, not even so much for looks as to keep engine compartment Temps down, and ad to the life of the headers.
My fenderwell custom headers, my custom under chassis headers (both V8s swapped into tiny foreign cars, so custom) and my old hooker adjustable have all been coated. The only way to go in my opinion.
I'd probably install em, make sure any dents, dings or holes in the car needed are done, the exhaust is plumbed, and then pull the headers out and send em out for coating.
 
My only problem with the fenderwells , was turning the exhaust under at the collectors. It took a lotta room. But the car pictured is sitting pretty high so it should be ok.
After that, was fitting tires in there to not rub on the headers.

IIRC Hooker makes 5204s that are a hybrid under chassis header, with some tubes going down past the steering box, and others out thru the apron, and then they join up again. I suppose that you have considered those?
I think Doug's makes a similar header.
 
Remember that the fenderwells are structural in these cars. Don't make sharp corners, and ideally you will want to add some sort of reinforcement to support the front frame rails.
 
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