Does Open Lake Headers + Glass Bucket = Melted car?

I just test fitted a set of Ford torque tube headers on my bucket then fired it up and I am surprised at how mellow they actually are so I am thinking about just running them open - at least until it drives me nuts - but I am concerned about any "melted car" potential. It does seem to get a bit hot on the body.

Should I be concerned? Anyone melted their fake (read fibergl***) cars with open lakes? Pics below...







I have thought about welding on some turn outs and pointing them away and slightly down.

 

Have you run them for any length of time? I'd be concerned big time seeing how close they are to the body.

 

No I haven't, as I said I just tossed them on and fired up the car I didn't want to go riding around until I was fairly sure I wouldnt have a car on fire

 

Maybe put some "turn outs" on them just to be safe?

 

Yeah thats what I mentioned up above, I think thats the minimum here myself. the 2.75" pipe is a hard one to find locally though.

I really want to get away from regular "T Bucket" headers, but this may not be the best solution yet.

 

I made a set of fenderwell headers for my 54, about 8 inches from the fender... Was hot enough to warp the front fenders on the body line peak. Make cut outs, It will melt...

 

Well, I think t-bucket headers are call that for a reason, I just don't know.

 

You're more likely to burn it down with that about-to-dissolve and spill gas everywhere cheap-*** plastic fuel line!

 

Damn Son, tell us how you really feel.

 

I may also disgrace the car to death with the SBC in there as well, yes I know there are a thousand ways to die - this one is supposed to revolve around the exhaust...

Stick with me here, we can argue the speedway fuel line in another thread.

 

i like that carb and exhaust setup better tho

 

Do the turnouts .Talk to Matt The header guru here on the Hamb. He can definately answer any of your questions. When I talked to Matt I had the same concerns I think he said 2.5 inches away from body .lakeheaders.com.

 

DrJ is right, lose the ****ty plastic fuel line. The stuff is already discoloring, next stop is a weinie roast.

 

I think I am going to just have headers made. Lakeheaders seems to be the way to go, I don't want a piecemeal a setup, and I want baffles too, etc.

I think my mind was already made just, just needed to see it on paper. Away they go.

 

It is going to be hardline, always planned on it. Just need to get everything together.

 

If I run these open without the cones/baffles, the body gets soot on it. And the exhaust comes in the car and my clothes smell like exhaust.

The cones are part of a Harley stock system that get thrown away when they put on aftermarket exhaust. (priceless-worthless-FREE)

The headers are "MEGS" and are 3" at the outlet.

Quiet enough on the highway that long rides aren't a problem. Noisey enough to set off car alarms.

 

You definitely need a turnout.

It won't be long until the paint goes away with the high temps emanating from the header.

Take a look at sprint car headers.
Not a bad way to go and the exhaust is toward the rear like it should be.

You don't want to find out about carbon monoxide the hard way.


The pic shows the paint going away from a primary header tube that's close to the hood side panel.


Interesting part is, the major burned area is perhaps a foot behind where the header is close.
The fan pushes the hot air back where it burns the side panel.

You're going to have higher temps coming out of the collector than I do with heat radiating off a primary tube....

 

worry about it when you start smelling resin... you'll know the smell if it happens....

 

i was going to buy those..
i saw them too, they are kinda rough arnt they..i think i saw em on e-bay

definetly some turn outs

 

Your car is eating my brain. The striping is awesome and it works.
Have Gibson Sand Rail Headers ever come to mind?
Don't know what they cost but they should busy up your engine a lot. Giving that go fast when still look.

 

Hey man - can you post some more pics of the rest of the car? Looks cool from what I can see so far!

 

Never came to mind, never seen 'em - but I will take a look. Thanks for the striping compliments, it was my first stab at striping a car so I am a bit overly critical of it.

Yes they are, but they seem to function and no leaks but yeah they are a bit rough.

I will post up some pics when I get my exhaust situation sorted out, I need to get out and take some good ones.

 

i bet after you clean em up..paint em and put some turnouts on them you will be happy with em

 

Unfortunately I'm not wired that way. Once I decide I don't like something I never will

I am actually starting to put parts together already, I think I need to build something form scratch to be happy, hell I have all the tools and most of the materials - I'm just being lazy by buying something, and I know it.

 

i know how you feel, im dealing with the same issue on my A build.
nothing out there to buy that i want to run for an exhaust..so im thinking I will make my own way..its been an old idea i had when i first started the build , and it has come back to probably be the only way i will be satisfied with the look

 

Yeah, and the part that pisses me off is that I knew that day one.

 

same here..I have a set of block huggers, 2 sets of OEM style manifolds, and a set of Rams Horn exhaust manifolds...not what i want..they will get used..but not on this car, un less its in a pinch to get it on the road..but if that is done..they will get changed when i figure out how to make what i want..or have the cash to have them made

 

just watch how long you go with them,because if you leave the car running and get uot of it it will put some nice marks on your doors.

 

I think that most of the time honesty is not accepted as kindness with the kinder gentler HAMB.

Personally I don't think I'd be concerned about melting the body. I've never seen gl*** melted. Although I did see an old vette burn like a mother once, but it took a fluel fire to get it started.

 

Ummm...gl*** T-bucket with no doors=not a problem, I think.

I like the pipes that are on it. I'd add turnouts and run them if it was my car (like the car, by the way).