Headers question.

Richie
Richie Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I have read many threads in the last year about the Clifford Headers. I seem to remember several problems that were talked about. The fit was one, weld or don't weld was another, ease of installation etc. Has all that been cleared up does anyone know. I want to put duals with headers on my car, but I don't want any problems in doing so. Anyone purchased Clifford Headers recently, happy with them or not happy with them. Any input is appreciated, thanks. Richie.

Comments

  • I ordered and received Clifford Headers for my 54 Hornet. The first set did not fit properly having about a 1/4 inch gap at one end. I returned and Clifford sent me a replacement which fit much better. Clifford was very good about the exchange, paying all of the freight, etc. If you proceed with the Clifford setup, you will have to come up with some kind of a heat riser device as the Clifford Headers don't have one. The guy rebuilding my engine came up with the idea of building a "jacket" so to speak of stainless steel that surrounds part of the header and extends up to the carb and thus provides heat to the carbuerator. Pretty clever I must say. Does it work? Don't know as engine not installed yet. Should work however.



    Another potential problem is idling. I was told by the engine guru here in the Pacific Northwest that if the the engine does not idle properly with the Cliffords, you need to drill out the carb idliing circuit .040 over. The key word is "potential". Smooth idling may or may not be an issue.



    Good luck,

    Doug
  • I have Clifford headers from long ago and they do not need to be welded together. The slip joint does not leak unless you put on an exhaust system that will create back pressure - I don't know why anyone would want to do that. I am running flowmasters. Now my headers have a fitting welded to them that a cannon plug will fit into. It is probably designed for something else, but that being as it is, drill a hole through the ccenter of a cannon plug and run new choke tubes into it. I ran mine for years without anything other than the choke tubes stuck down to the header and had no problem at all. Don't make things harder than they already are.



    Allan
  • Clifford's newer design doesn't have the two piece, slip joint setup. They are "shorty" headers. They keep both pipes inside the frame rail. Its a tight fit for both exhaust flanges and pipes to fit between the engine, bell housing, and the inside of the frame.



    Having said that, I don't know if they'll work on a short wheelbase Hudson. I only have a set on the long wheelbase Super Six. The engine is recessed into the firewall on a Pacemaker/Wasp and the rear cylinders' header outlet would be getting real close to the firewall/toeboard - if not right into it. I haven't messed with fitting them to the short Hudson's to know for sure, but that's my concern.



    I'd call Larry direct and ask about fitment to your car, I'm sure he already knows if they'll work on a short hooded stepdown.



    Mark
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    Save yourself all the headaches of putting headers on the SWB chassis and pick up a Hudson 7X dual outlet adaptor for the exhaust manafold.

    Much easier set up.



    Jerry

    53jetman
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    dougc_portland wrote:
    I ordered and received Clifford Headers for my 54 Hornet. The first set did not fit properly having about a 1/4 inch gap at one end. I returned and Clifford sent me a replacement which fit much better. Clifford was very good about the exchange, paying all of the freight, etc. If you proceed with the Clifford setup, you will have to come up with some kind of a heat riser device as the Clifford Headers don't have one. The guy rebuilding my engine came up with the idea of building a "jacket" so to speak of stainless steel that surrounds part of the header and extends up to the carb and thus provides heat to the carbuerator. Pretty clever I must say. Does it work? Don't know as engine not installed yet. Should work however.



    Another potential problem is idling. I was told by the engine guru here in the Pacific Northwest that if the the engine does not idle properly with the Cliffords, you need to drill out the carb idliing circuit .040 over. The key word is "potential". Smooth idling may or may not be an issue.



    Good luck,

    Doug



    Doug, thanks for your comments, I've heard that Clifford is very good to deal with. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    aminard wrote:
    I have Clifford headers from long ago and they do not need to be welded together. The slip joint does not leak unless you put on an exhaust system that will create back pressure - I don't know why anyone would want to do that. I am running flowmasters. Now my headers have a fitting welded to them that a cannon plug will fit into. It is probably designed for something else, but that being as it is, drill a hole through the ccenter of a cannon plug and run new choke tubes into it. I ran mine for years without anything other than the choke tubes stuck down to the header and had no problem at all. Don't make things harder than they already are.



    Allan



    Allan, I sure don't want to make things harder, that is why I am gathering all the info that I can from the more experienced guys here on the forum. Neat idea for the heat tube. Is your car a long or short wheel base car? Thanks again. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    `Hudsonator wrote:
    Clifford's newer design doesn't have the two piece, slip joint setup. They are "shorty" headers. They keep both pipes inside the frame rail. Its a tight fit for both exhaust flanges and pipes to fit between the engine, bell housing, and the inside of the frame.



    Having said that, I don't know if they'll work on a short wheelbase Hudson. I only have a set on the long wheelbase Super Six. The engine is recessed into the firewall on a Pacemaker/Wasp and the rear cylinders' header outlet would be getting real close to the firewall/toeboard - if not right into it. I haven't messed with fitting them to the short Hudson's to know for sure, but that's my concern.



    I'd call Larry direct and ask about fitment to your car, I'm sure he already knows if they'll work on a short hooded stepdown.



    Mark



    Thanks Mark, I'll call Larry and get his input. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    53jetman wrote:
    Save yourself all the headaches of putting headers on the SWB chassis and pick up a Hudson 7X dual outlet adaptor for the exhaust manafold.

    Much easier set up.



    Jerry

    53jetman



    Jerry, I'm not familiar with a 7X adapter, is it something that is readily available? Thanks, Richie.
  • I have a set of clifford dual outlet shorty headers bolted up to a 52 Wasp along with the 4 barrel manifold. It fits but the pipes are not on yet. It's a hydramatic car and the space is tight but looks like we'll be able to run two pipes on the inside.
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    Richie wrote:
    Jerry, I'm not familiar with a 7X adapter, is it something that is readily available? Thanks, Richie.



    Richie: The 7X adappter was available thru the Hudson Parts Dept. to convert the single exhaust manafolod to a dual exhaust system. They have been reproduced a couple of times that I'm aware of, and you can sometimes find a lead on one in the WTN parts for sale ads. If my memory serves, I have heard that someone from the Home Chapter is working on another release in the near future of this item.



    Jerry

    53jetman
  • They are as readily availabe as I can get re-aligned with my foundry deal.



    Pictures of them are in my gallery. Not a bad option in lieu of headers. Take out the heat riser baffle, 7x adapter, 3" single exhaust - then split them with one of those 1 into 2 mufflers. Or, run 2 -2" exhausts right off the 7x adapter. Anything to help take the heat off #3 and #4 exhaust seats.



    Hudsondad, keep us informed of how those headers work on your Wasp. Note: you may want to opt for the 390 Holley 4 barrel carb - I still don't have my Edelbrock 500 conquered. Holley has much more aftermarket support for jets, springs, boosters. Edelbrock has nada beyond their "jet kit", which doesn't help hone those carbs in to the 308 or smaller Hudson. I'll eventually whip it, but its gonna get ugly.



    Mark
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    53jetman wrote:
    Richie: The 7X adappter was available thru the Hudson Parts Dept. to convert the single exhaust manafolod to a dual exhaust system. They have been reproduced a couple of times that I'm aware of, and you can sometimes find a lead on one in the WTN parts for sale ads. If my memory serves, I have heard that someone from the Home Chapter is working on another release in the near future of this item.



    Jerry

    53jetman



    Thanks Jerry, I will do a little research about that, that seems like a good idea. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    `Hudsonator wrote:
    Clifford's newer design doesn't have the two piece, slip joint setup. They are "shorty" headers. They keep both pipes inside the frame rail. Its a tight fit for both exhaust flanges and pipes to fit between the engine, bell housing, and the inside of the frame.



    Having said that, I don't know if they'll work on a short wheelbase Hudson. I only have a set on the long wheelbase Super Six. The engine is recessed into the firewall on a Pacemaker/Wasp and the rear cylinders' header outlet would be getting real close to the firewall/toeboard - if not right into it. I haven't messed with fitting them to the short Hudson's to know for sure, but that's my concern.



    I'd call Larry direct and ask about fitment to your car, I'm sure he already knows if they'll work on a short hooded stepdown.



    Mark



    Mark, the engine is recessed 3 or 4 inches it looks like. It would be a tight fit for sure. I called Larry today. Richie.
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    Richie wrote:
    Mark, the engine is recessed 3 or 4 inches it looks like. It would be a tight fit for sure. I called Larry today. Richie.



    Richie - I've tried to attach a copy of an ad from the March/April 2005 White Triangle News with a picture of the adapter.



    Jerry

    53jetman
  • faustmb
    faustmb Senior Contributor
    I spoke with Larry at Clifford in the past. He assured me that the short headers they currently sell will fit my swb Pacemaker. He said they made the short version to fit both wheel base models to eliminate the need for stocking both types.



    I still haven't ordered a set- too many irons in the fire :(



    Matt
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    Jerry, thanks very much, that is pretty neat. I would like to have one. I joined the HET in Feb. 07 I believe so I wouldn't have any WTN's that old. That would be so convenient to puting duals on. Thanks again. Richie.
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    faustmb wrote:
    I spoke with Larry at Clifford in the past. He assured me that the short headers they currently sell will fit my swb Pacemaker. He said they made the short version to fit both wheel base models to eliminate the need for stocking both types.



    I still haven't ordered a set- too many irons in the fire :(



    Matt



    Matt, Larry told me that he shortened the rear header about 10 " and he was 80% sure they would fit the swb cars. Richie.
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