Whats a good header flange?

I have seen the standard 3 bolt flange but dont they frequently leak?
Is there something better?
I am making a stainless steel header for my Model A

 

v-band clamps are what we use in my shop. theyre pricey but they do not leak (if you get decent ones) and easy to remove/install. no gasket is a plus too...

http://vibrantperformance.com/catal..._1125&osCsid=9a20c23226919ebe6ea7ffb847523a37

 

make your own You need a drill press and drils and hole saws take 2 plates and some gasket material and clamp them together drill the holes for the bolts first the center hole next after bolting the plates and material together.cut the outer shape how ever you have available. Ive made custom flanges like this before and they work great.I used 6 bolts on a 3" flange and that exhaust pipe is still rock solid

 

I'm makin' mine square. 3 3/8" square with rounded corners, 1/4" thick, 2 1/2" tubing with 3/8" bolts. It looks old timey to me.
I made the squares,ground alittle off of the corners so they could be stacked up and tack welded together. With the corners ground back the tacks don't get in the way when clamping into the drill vise. After all of the drillin' is done put the bolts in and round the corners (with the tacks) off. Mark them so they go back together as they were made.
Smokey

 

I like these.

$106

 

$106 is about 5 times what they should be. The clamps are manufactured by R.G.Ray corp and should be about $8 for a 3" and the standard Marmon weld on end is only a few bucks. Check with ANY diesel shop.

I personally like these http://www.itpdiesel.com/store.php/products/Torca_EZSeal Also available at ANY diesel shop

 

A three bolt flange with a cheap paper gasket will be fine. I have like 6 on my Vette and they hold up great. Like all flanges the thickness maters. Use 1/4" plate minimum.

Then file flat AFTER welding and make sure that when you bolt them up they match flat.
If there is a gap it aint gonna seal, ever.

 

Thanks guys. Scott, I like that EZ seal too.

 

Thanks, discovered them years ago when I started working in the mobile off-highway market. They are about $8 at the local FLAPS and Diesel Shops

 

Manyolcars thanks for askin' this question. Thanks all for answerin' his question. Scott, I'm likin' those V band clamps. The next exhaust I build just may get them...
Ask,answer, and learn...damn I like this place...
Smokey

 

I've been looking for 2" V-Bands for awhile without much luck, they're quite rare on eBay, plenty of the larger sizes. $88 for those Vibrant ones is too expensive for me, I need to p*** my pipes through some existing ch***is holes and a conventional flange is too bulky.
Do those EZ seal ones really seal and last OK?

 

get your pipes made at Auto Jet http://www.mandrelbending-tubefabrication.com/

Tell John I sent you.

 

i dont think its the v-clamp that make those flanges better its the thick donut that you weld to the header and the exhaust pipe that makes the difference, they look nice and neat though. and any truck repair place can get them as well.