Clifford Exhaust Headers - Heat transfer

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
The exhaust manifold on my 54 Hornet is shot and I want to replace it with a Clifford exhaust header while retaining the stock 2 barrel intake. However, the Clifford header does not have a heat transfer device. The guy at Clifford said I could wrap copper tubing around the exhaust header and run it up to the carb for heat. Has anyone out there done this? Is there a better way?



Thanks for any feedback you can provide.



Doug

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    What is Clifford getting for the 308 headers? I'm thinking of going that route with the Hash. I need to reroute my exhaust anyway. The last exhaust gut hooked the tail pipe under the fuel tank and right up against it, diidn't even put any insulating tape between the tank and pipe. I was thinking headers with twin pipes going out the center.



    Harry
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I wonder if the Hash takes different than the stepdowns, it has those giant towers to deal with.



    Harry
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The headers run $389 plus shipping.
  • 464Saloon
    464Saloon Senior Contributor
    Wow last I had checked they were 299 which I though was steep. Considering how few Hudson there are out there and even a smaller percentage wanting to run headers I am a little surprised they are charging so much.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Rick,



    It is my understanding that you do not need to buy the intake manifold to match up with the exhaust manifold. There was no mention of that in my conversation with the folks at Clifford.



    Doug
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    I second the motion on making sure they will work on the Hash- they aren't "block hugger" headers. Also, I have their headers with a stock Twin-H manifold, and don't see why they wouldn't work with a single carb Hudson manifold as well. You do have to make a plate for the bottom of the intake, I think, where the two stock manifolds bolted together.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    There is a guy that advertises in the HET magazine and he is charging almost $800 for a set of headers for the 308. The feedback I got from the Forum was that the headers provide the most bang for the buck and that is what I am looking for.



    Doug
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Rick,



    You are correct, it is $339 plus shipping. Incidently I did confirm that the Clifford exhaust header will work with the stock intake.



    Guys, I am still looking for feedback on the heat transfer issue.
  • Jay_G
    Jay_G Expert Adviser
    Remember with headers all you are doing is replacing the exhaust portion of the stock intake and exhaust. So there is a plate the blocks off the heat riser that bolts to the stock intake. On the Clifford headers that I have there are two tubes that loop from one exhaust tube through the plate and back to another exhaust tube. Iin essance routing a portion of the exhaust gas through the heat riser. I had my header jet-hot coated so I used Al tubing. copper just would not have looked right with all the silver. As for the tube to the carb I just wraped an AL tube agound one of the header tubes and used a clamp to keep them in place. If you spend a little time with it no one will ever see the clamp. I am in Southern California so a cold start is not a real problem.



    Jay
  • 464Saloon
    464Saloon Senior Contributor
    Wonder how many would have to sign up to get the price down on these things.
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    Doug,



    A 2bbl aluminum '49 intake Intake fits with the earlier design Clifford Headers on my Hornet requiring only A block-off plate on the bottom of the intake. Should fit the 'newer' style too since top of pipes looks similar. (I utilized aluminum intale for weight savings then adapted a Holley 4bbl onto it)

    Regarding header heat to the carb...

    I do not have an exh heat port on my Holley carb so I ran one end of copper tubing from one header heat outlet up around tight to the carb base then back down into the second outlet. The tubing gets Hot but not much difference on warm-up..However, running both header outlets (tee' d) into your carb should work better, but nothing will work as well as stock exh dampner..
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I think there was 20 in the batch that Clifford made about a year and a half ago. The were dual outlet one piece and were very compact and close to the block. I have them bolted in a short WB car and running two pipes thru the area I have will be challenging, but the one pipe doesn't have to go out the side like the older style. There were problems with fit on this batch and when they welded them together they drew. Mine were off 1/4" on the rear and had to go back. I got a replacement that fit. Delivery was SLOW, but they look nice. I think they now have a block to check fit and Larry said he was going to use someone else (more expensive) for the next batch. (which is probably the current ones) The polished ceramic looks great. Cost for something that is in limited supply and manufactured in small quantities is going to be higher.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    As much of a tightwad as I am I still don't think their price is out of line for headers. With every thing I am doing it will be awhile before I can buy a set but I will as soon as I get these other problems taken care of. Right now there isn't a need for better exhaust until I get the intake end working correctly. The good news is my gas tank is being boiled out and I can pick it up tomorrow and will be good to go as soon as I get my float assembly.



    Harry
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    In discussing installing ex. headers on 308s and using the stock in. manifold what would be the reason for making a plate to block off then bottom of the in. manifold? Norm
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Doug, in reference to your heat transfer question, I used Clifford headers on a 6 cyl chev a few years ago and eliminated the heat riser. The choke worked fine on the carb and never had any trouble with cold starts. The new technology is cold air boxes, the colder the air going in the greater the expansion, thus greater horsepower. Just my 2 cents worth.

    Barry
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