Exhaust: flathead six exhaust header

[dstude]

I've asked about this before, but I've had absolutely no luck finding anyone who will build a four-into-two exhaust header for a 169 flathead six. It seems like someone could sell several of them if they were to build them. I can't be the only one who wants one. Or am I?

I can't even find anyone who has a flange kit for that engine for people who want to build their own exhaust. The flanges certainly existed at one time because the 169 was a fairly common engine in sprint cars in the early 50s. If we end up having some flanges made for our own do-it-yourself project, would anyone else be interested in them?

Or can anyone steer me to someone who could build a nice, race car-looking header? Thanks.

[BobWaitz]

I know a guy. I'll see if he's interested.

[PackardV8]

A header for the Champion is nice bling, but until some serious money is spent on a cam, larger intake valves, porting, intake manifold and compression, the header won't give a large horsepower increase. Does sound good, though.

jack vines

[sals54]

A header for the Champion is nice bling, but until some serious money is spent on a cam, larger intake valves, porting, intake manifold and compression, the header won't give a large horsepower increase. Does sound good, though.

jack vines

You're right about that sound, Jack. It sounds sweeeet. If you saw the movie "Cars", it sounds very much like the Hudson Hornet does in that movie.

[dstude]

I already have a Morgan high-compression aluminum head and Morgan dual-carb intake for the engine, apparently 50s sprint car engine pieces. My engine is presently stock but is too fresh right now to make me want to open it up. Eventually porting and larger valves may happen, but now I just want to make it look like a barn find hot rod from the 50s. The extra torque the engine might make from the higher compression will just be a pleasant bonus. I need a header because the Morgan intake doesn't leave room for a split exhaust manifold, and because they look and sound right for what I want the car to be. Any help finding someone who can build a nice 4-into-2 header will be much appreciated.

[sals54]

The exhaust flange would not be too tough to fabricate with a cut off wheel and a hole saw. I made an intake for a 6 that way. Use 1/2” bar stock so the clamps match. Then have a hot rod minded muffler shop fab a set for you. You’ll want duals out the back to get that great sound anyway.

[gordr]

If the Morgan intake leaves room for a stock manifold, it should leave room for a split one. I know a guy here who has done the split-manifold deal with dual carbs on the Champion six. It definitely has a unique sound to it. Basically, you cut the manifold between ports 2 and 3, weld the cut ends closed, and add a dump tube and flange on the rear half, parallel to the original. The original heat riser stays with the front half.

[PackardV8]

If the Morgan intake leaves room for a stock manifold, it should leave room for a split one. I know a guy here who has done the split-manifold deal with dual carbs on the Champion six. It definitely has a unique sound to it. Basically, you cut the manifold between ports 2 and 3, weld the cut ends closed, and add a dump tube and flange on the rear half, parallel to the original. The original heat riser stays with the front half.

We just pulled the intake/exhaust manifold off a '52 Champion and were surprised to see someone had welded a second exhaust outlet between #3 and #4, but had not split and blocked between #2 and #3. That would sound different, but maybe not worth all the effort and expense to put the second system on it.

jack vines

[Edsel G. Tattooer]

THis guy has flanges for Studebaker 224 259 289

http://www.victoryheaderflanges.com/headerflanges.html

Im going to can tact him to see if they will do the 6's as well.

[dstude]

No, the Morgan intake does not leave room for a split intake. Not even close. It was obviously a racing part and its runners are very short, only 3/4" from the side of the block to the side of the intake's large plenum, meaning even a tubing header will have to turn downward immediately at the exhaust port in order to allow room for the intake manifold be bolted in place. On the other hand, Offenhauser makes a dual-carb intake that will work with a split exhaust manifold because the Offy intake has longer intake runners that position the plenum and carbs far enough away from the block to allow a rewelded, split exhaust casting to be bolted to the block along with the Offy intake. I know it's a little crazy, but since I have these nice Morgan parts I'd like to use them, and a header is the only way that can happen.

[gordr]

Thanks for the update on the Morgan intake. That is one I have never seen, and somewhere I have a brochure from the Frank Morgan company, too. What about making a spacer (or set thereof) to space the intake further out from the block to allow for a regular split manifold? Real short intake passages usually perform well only at very high RPM, and aren't offer compatible with street use. Look at all the modern EFI engines with their very long, but equal-length, intake runners.

[PackardV8]

No, the Morgan intake does not leave room for a split intake. Not even close. It was obviously a racing part and its runners are very short, only 3/4" from the side of the block to the side of the intake's large plenum, meaning even a tubing header will have to turn downward immediately at the exhaust port in order to allow room for the intake manifold be bolted in place. On the other hand, Offenhauser makes a dual-carb intake that will work with a split exhaust manifold because the Offy intake has longer intake runners that position the plenum and carbs far enough away from the block to allow a rewelded, split exhaust casting to be bolted to the block along with the Offy intake. I know it's a little crazy, but since I have these nice Morgan parts I'd like to use them, and a header is the only way that can happen.

I'm confused here. Can the Morgan intake manifold be not be used with in conjunction with an OEM exhaust manifold? Splitting the OEM exhaust manifold and adding a second outlet for the rear two exhaust ports has been done with the Champion for the past seventy-five years.

jack vines

[dstude]

If someone will explain how to add photos to a post, I'll add some pictures of the Morgan intake (and the head, if anyone is interested). Both are very nice pieces. I just haven't seen any of the common icons for adding a photo to the posts. Thanks.

[52-fan]

Is it different from this example?

[sals54]

Is it different from this example?

Sure looks like a modified exhaust would fit since the stock exhaust fits fine.