Clifford Headers

hudsonguy

A while back there was much discussion amongst several people that bought headers from Clifford. I remember there being some fit-up problems that I believe were resolved. I know there was a long wait in some instances, also.



Anyway, I'm looking at buying a set, and was wondering if anyone would advise against it.....or is everyone happy with the ones they recently bought?

[Deleted User]

I got mine and the flange was off by about an 1/8 of an inch. I called Larry and he said that was a problem and that they were going to fix or replace any headers. I live in Canada so it would have cost me to send back old header. Larry sent me a new header and it fit the way it should so I am pretty happy with it. You should be ok now if you call tell him you heard about the problems with fit. Now they are test fitting them to an engine before you get them which is a better idea and what they should have done from the start.

kamzack

I have a set on that I bought just before Jack pass. They weren'y shipped til awhile afterwards. My tic is I wanted 2 pipe haeders,I got one. One the purposes for headers is get exhaust out with very little back pressure.

I'd educate myself with a call to Randy Maas, He makes headers and Is a Hudson owner and races same. You may pay a bit more,but you get what you pay for. Cheaper product, cheaper results. I wouldn't run a "6" without headers. I wish someone could come up with a set for a 254. Hope this helps and thanks for letting me share.

Kim

[Deleted User]

The Clifford header I got is a two pipe header they do not make a one pipe anymore that I know of. They are also a shorter header than the old one's Jack used to make. I really like the look of mine I had it powder coated black to offset the red aircleaners of the Twin H and generally to look Boss...

BigSky

kamzack wrote:

I have a set on that I bought just before Jack pass. They weren'y shipped til awhile afterwards. My tic is I wanted 2 pipe haeders,I got one. One the purposes for headers is get exhaust out with very little back pressure.

I'd educate myself with a call to Randy Maas, He makes headers and Is a Hudson owner and races same. You may pay a bit more,but you get what you pay for. Cheaper product, cheaper results. I wouldn't run a "6" without headers. I wish someone could come up with a set for a 254. Hope this helps and thanks for letting me share.

Kim

I would also love to have a set for my 254CI 8cyl !!!! I have seen a set made by hand and they were outstanding!



Let me know if anyone finds someone to make them for the 8 cly.

kamzack

After Jack passed on, you could hardly get anyone to answer the phone. The were in a bit of turmoil about who was gonna run the company. There were quite a few discussions about them and a number of comments in WTN, this was in the fall of 01. I think Jack passed in Sept.The guy I finally got to talk to wasn't too interested in swapping my single header for what I ordered. He did concede that I probably got one of the last ones of the singles,soooo he didn't want them back. It took a year to $100 core charge back for a rebuilt oil pump. I'd for gotten about it, then one day it show up. There are enough good Hudson people and vendors around that will go the distance for ya. So, anyway that's my 20 cents worth. Thanks for letting me share.

Kim

[Deleted User]

51hornetA wrote:

I got mine and the flange was off by about an 1/8 of an inch. I called Larry and he said that was a problem and that they were going to fix or replace any headers. I live in Canada so it would have cost me to send back old header. Larry sent me a new header and it fit the way it should so I am pretty happy with it. You should be ok now if you call tell him you heard about the problems with fit. Now they are test fitting them to an engine before you get them which is a better idea and what they should have done from the start.

Are all you guys that got headers (regardless of manufactuer) happy with the performance results?

kamzack

Absolutely, I mounted an aftermarket temp and oil pressure gauge under the dash, so I could better monitor what's going on with the $3500.00 I spent rebuilding the 262. Temps ran just above the thermostat open temp. Before I capped the headers, it was quite peppy, would bark tires in1st and 2nd. As I mentioned getting the heat out of the engine compartment makes a big difference. Before, I'd swet bullits in traffic, not any more. No fuel perculation as result of intake and exhast manifolds irritating each other. Only downside is cold weather starts. It starts right up, but need to wait til it gets done warming, no heat riser or heat to the intake. Early one spring the carb and linkage froze and I had to stop and defrost it with penetrating oil, but cold gas fires better. I'm no pro at this stuff, but boy I do enjoy the junk I have. I'm a poor man in a rich guys hobby. So I drive a Hudson and Studebaker as daily transportation, The Stude is the winter car(salt). As I'm sure ya know our modern fuel has a much lower boiling point,hence the vaporlock. Before My Dad passed, I'd asked him if his Hudsons or Studes vaporlocked back in the 40's or 50's, nope. Thanks for letting me share.

Kim