I am building a rat rod and have an issue I really like were the steering column is located however the headers are a problem. I am wondering if anyone has ever put the headers backwards on a chevy 350 where the exhaust portion will be pointing up instead of down and if so what problems did they run into?
Dear Sir. The term rat rod is not a good way to get help here. Please rephrase your question and give more information and help will come.
The RR word... kind of like going to church on Sunday, standing on a pew and screaming "go **** yourself" at the top of your lungs. Will not be well-received. Bob
Ok guys sorry its a 1931 ford sedan. I can either move the steering column which is not a big deal or build me some headers I just thought it would look good. So based on everyone's answer it is probably not a good idea correct?
It'll look great if you are building a mud bogger. Here's is a little known fact, hot rods are not past together like an AMT model. Snag yourself some U bends and a pair of flanges. Star cutting and welding until you have a proper exhaust. If you are indeed building a junk rod (Rat Rod?) it won't matter if they look scabbed together. If you are dead set on building a Traditional Rod (heaven forbid) then take a litle more time and make them nice. Something else that may work, I have seen the fellas turn them around so the collectors are at the front of the motor. Maybe you'll need to clip the collectors off and make them point down but that is also doable in some situations.
I have cut the offending pipe before and reran it to suit my needs. There is alot of good help on here, this forum is about traditional hotrods and customs. Hope we can help
No offense, post some pictures of what you have and people will be more receptive to helping you. This is the place to get solid answers. Bob
Here is a set I have done. These started out as block hugger headers and there was no way to fit them so I flipped them and added new flanges. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=545908
The idea of having the exhaust route upwards isn't that strange.... didn't Dodge do this to clear steering or something in the '60s? Maybe a rare Max Wedge setup?
Funny stuff!!! I wonder if some of these FNG's even hang out for a while to understand what this board is about?! I read for months before I even created a user ID...
Put up some pics of the problem; someone here will help. I do see a lot of the "new" breed of rods, but the older style builds really do look great.
As someone else mentioned ... post some pictures. You will get a lot of "feedback" regarding the use of the words rat rod ... but you will also get some help too. Good luck.
Build your own headers. If it's a nostalgia build, copy something like these. Trying to mount a factory set of Chevy headers upside down will look stupid. It's not hard to make a set and they don't have to be works of art. Home made headers from the early sixties were rather crude by today's standards. Everyone has to start somewhere. You have a good reason to learn how. There are lots of posts here to check out for some guidance.
I'm like, Soooo glad I didn't ask that question. The old saying was "The only stupid question is one that is not asked" But sometimes on our site it's better to remain stupid I guess !!!!!!!
If there are no stupid questions, does that mean that a truly stupid person gets smart for the exact second that he asks a question? Just wondering.
this thread is useless with out PICS. Like this is the first small block ever put into a model a. http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/16042_1931_ford_model_a_coupe/photo_01.html <br>
I think he seems to be building a good car, just a grammatical error on his part, I know a lot of people who have built really nice cars who still insist on using that word, All they need is to eat a bar or two of ivory soap and they will be fine
Some people call my car a Rat-rod yet every part is old early 60s or older. I am detailing every part I use and each thing I do is very thought out. It will get paint when done. Lets see, $new tires and 1940 Ford rims, a 100% new rebuilt Hemi, nice solid welds, vintage parts and pieces. Sounds like something that would be built back in the day and called a Hotrod. I let people call it whatever they want. I really don't give a **** what people say. I like it and I will be building it to the best of my abilities with a 50s vintage feel.
Good for you man. I think it is great. I am really considering your idea. Some people on here need a nice swift kick in the ???...I think it is great what you are doing and your concept has the little rodents in my head spinning. Thanks again...have a great week..