Projects 1955 Pontiac gasser build

Flanges are from hedman, these are matched to their step plate that allows larger tubes. Collectors and pipes from summit racing. My first tubes are 1 7/8 than go to 2". For some reason their 1 7/8 collectors were twice the price. You would be fine with 1 3/4 or get the speedway fat fenderwell 1 5/8 headers and cut them up to fit a pontiac.

I have an old set of flanges with stubs , missing 1 stub that would work for you

 

Kinda was thinking 1 7/8th as I don't want to have to make another set later. Maybe I should go the inexpensive route on the first set????

I'll get with you on the flanges but it sure helps to see a set mocked up before starting.

 

With your combo 1 7/8 is too big imo. Could lose some backpressure and power. I'm running mid 11's with just 1 5/8. the one missing is an end so shouldn't be hard to shape a pipe in. My initial outlet pipes were long u's I cut in half to save cost.

 

Like you, my initial set up is my initial set up. I'll send you a message. Thanks.

 

Do you happen to have the P/N for the 1 7/8 version?

 

Headers are getting closer, had to reshape the center tubes. Than I'll grind it all down and run a belt sander over to make sure it's all flat.

 

The Hedman header flange is 10175, comes with a set of gaskets and bolts to bolt to step plate, without stubs

wrong pic in add , I bought the step plates used so you would have to contact Hedman for those

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-10175/overview/

 

Not to say you will be building another set of headers soon but if you are you may want to get some of these tube alignment sleeves.

 

I cannot recommend these enough!

I don't honestly know how I got by before a mentor threw a bag of these at me.

Traditional?

 

I've never seen those before. Most of the tubes only have 1 joint and that's where it's stepped to a larger tube .

 

On factory-made headers, sure.

I have used as many as 18-individual pieces in a single custom header.

Traditional?

 

Just sat down and read your thread, start to finish.
You're one talented guy, you must be very proud of your accomplishments.
I ran "C / GAS", but that was back in 1962 with a 301" , in a '55 Chevy.
Wishing you continued success with your Pontiac !

 

.....nice job on the headers,...but how you gonna remove the driver's side to finish weld em?

 

Yea I got ahead of myself a little. Removed the back tube, cut the header flanges up and reset it back up and retacked the back one.

 

I made some more progress, took engine apart to install lifter bore brace required for roller cam. Cleaned up the firewall and got most of it back together.

 

Wow! That is NICE!!!

 

Headers back on finally and getting close to firing up the new combo

 

freakin nice!

 

Just read your build. Love it. I saw your car at the meltdown last year ( very appropriate name given the temps!). I just watched you run at Havana last night too. Was gonna talk to ya but you were pulling out when I got back there. I dig your Pontiac and look forward to seeing it run at Byron again

 

55chieftain do you still happen to have the custom engine mounts you made for the 389 before putting the hurst mount in it? Or pictures even?

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I'll see if I can find some. Basically used 2x2 square tubing off frame cut at 45 degrees on engine end. Than welded 1/4" plate to bolt up some gto frame mounts. Hardest part is where the steering gearbox is located to do it that way and exhaust if doing rear exit on driver's side

 

Dana 60 is all set up and in. Waiting on a new driveshaft. New combo broke my other driveshaft.

So now 35 spline Strange spool and axles still using a 3:73 gear. Disc brakes to help me slow down also, since I had an explorer 8.8 i had big bearing Ford new style ends put on to reuse the disc set up .

 

This was my first dana setting up but I do rear end jobs at work so have had plenty of experiance. I probably have half in this what a nice 9" or Pontiac olds rear would have taken to get done .

 

So are you not running the Explorer rear end anymore?

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No all done with it. Took the discs off for the Dana 60 and putting the drum set up back on.

I bought a few new perches that ended up being 2 1/2" and needed 2" . Chopped out the center and turned out nice.

 

So I am not positive the shape my original rear end is in and located a 98 explorer rear end to slide in still need to measure but it's free and in perfect working condition.

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With the pinion offset of the 8.8 the driveshaft will be real close to the passage thru the x in the frame and will need clearanced. The narrower rear is nice to give extra room to get the wheels on and off. I found a longer shock I modified to work to help the rear drop down further which also helped.

 

Okay so when I was putting wheels on her the 1st time it was such a pain and I didn't have a jack that would go up high enough (which I have since remedied). So I used a crane to pick her up and ended up having to put tires on flat

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Just keeps getting better.

 

Thanks Kev, when the driveshaft broke went 10.70's @120 on the rev limiter on 2nd and 3rd so moving in the right direction and has a lot left in it. 1.43 was 60ft and that only footbraking with a 4200 stall