Art & Inspiration What tha ? Flathead exhaust

Good evening all . I just dug out these flathead motors from up in my late fathers barn barn . When I say up ! I mean, roll into the bucket of the tractor filled with spare tires . We'll today I noticed the funky manifold and the wrap job on the manifold . Tranny coolant ? Save as a wall hanger or do I have the Holy Grail of ........
Lot of thought/determination involved here , I figured I would share and maybe learn something. Thanks for any insight. Mike P

 

Totally homemade...maybe to clear steering? and the pipe looks to be a liquid heater of some sort.