Geat score.I love the look of those,I actually built a set of headers that copy them for my roadster.If you look in the old mags most of the guys with early SBCs ran those.
They originally came with a lower piece that went back into a collector. They shouldn't be too difficult to fabricate.
That's what I remember too. That and that they leaked at that flange. This is before Mr. Gasket got started. I'd bet that these headers contributed to Mr. Gaskets success. But when I looked them up in my 1961 Honest Charlie catalog there is no listing for the extensions. My 1961 catalog says Chevy runs better with 8 foot extensions! Another note says to make your own extensions. I think they might have made the extensions latter due to popular demand because I sure remember seeing them.
Tommy, Your right, they did make factory extensions for them. I ran them for quite a few years before the equal length tub design took over. If you ran them on the street for a long period the lower extensions would rot out at the collector, that's why you seldom (read never) see them used with the extensions. I have two sets (w.o. extensions) I've been saving for a late 50's early 60's themed build, and by the time I get to it they will commorate their 100th birthday, 2060. Frank
AHA!!! My 1963 Big Eds speed shop catalog has a listing...NEW hedders (their spelling) from Hedman. In that section they list the extensions. The extensions go down to what looks like a 4 bolt square collector flange with a square block off plate. An elbow is welded into the side of the collector to hook up the street exhaust. Just unbolt the square flange and go racing!
A pair of what you've just described hang in the rafters of my garage. One of my friends spied them and asked me "what the hell those things are", and I told him that a guy named Bob Falfa gave them to me after he rolled his car.
The Hedmans I had in the late 60's on one of my many 56' Chevrolets were 4 tube headers that bolted together in the middle like those. The worst design possible to work on and they always leaked! And in those days I had limited tools so it was even more difficult. Headers have come a long ways since then. BUTCH.
Hard to read but the 2nd one on the top row is for 55-57 Chevys. The 3rd one on the top row is for 58-62 Chevys. The others are Pontiac, Ford and 348/409 extensions. I believe the quick bend to the rear of the 58-62 Chevys extensions are the ones that guys used on their hot rods. The 55-57 Chevy extensions would drag the ground in a Deuce coupe. Nobody made off the shelf headers for hot rods back then. Somebody tried them and they worked. The header all the way to the left is for the 348/409. Notice that they came with the flange to make custom extensions. PS this is a 63 book that's why the dates are limited to the 62 year.
I've got a set that I got from a friend that have the 4 tube extending past the bolt together pieces and go all the way to the collector as a 4into one. I've also got a set similar to the ones shown that justhave around extension instead of the bolt togetherflange. jerry
I imagine that with modern graphite impregnated gasket material, they could be made to work. I know that the two piece design made installation on some vehicles with tight confines a lot easier.
Doug Thorley built some Tri Y Headers years back. They were similar in design but the cylinders were paired differently from one side to the other to keep the pulses even. Saw an article somewhere recently where someone else was doing the same thing for modern cars. Supposed to be better for torque.
Anyone Have A Set Like That For Sale?need Some For My 34 Ford Original G***er Truck.built Ford Tuff With Chevy Stuff.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/1731,47_***orted-Bends.html?itemNo=91013816 here's the tubes to make them