header-sidepipe connection

[JL1924]

Purchased a Shell Valley Kit through Team C Racing in Connecticut in July. Looking for some information on headers and sidepipes. The kit came with 302 headers and a set of chrome sidepipes. Looks like there are 8 small tubes that fit into the sidepipes and then the header tubes fit into the 8 small tubes. My question is, what keeps them together? I realize I will have the sidepipes connected to the frame and the headers bolted to the engine, but during periods of acceleration, is there anything necessary to keep the connections snug when the engine moves to the right under torque. The reason I ask, is if it is necessary to weld spring tabs of some sort on the headers and side pipes, I would rather know it before I have the headers coated. Any info on this subject appreciated. Thanks.

JL1924@optonline.net

[ravedemon]

i plan on useing high temp. silicone...............but not happy about it.

[cobra2000]

The right way to install the header and side pipes is.

1st Mount the headers onto the block, but leave them lose do not tighten them up.

2nd Place hi temp silicone on the inside of the side pips inlets and insert the spacer sleves.

3rd Mount the side pipis to the headers, locate them were they should be along the side of the car and at the proper hight, use some thing to hold them in place.

4th There are 4 plate to mount the side pipes, place these plates against the bottom of the fram and against the side of the side pipes useally in the muffler area, now mark the plates were you will drill a 3/8 th hole, this hole will also be transferd to the fram were you will drill another 3/8 th hole all the way though the fram and body. When the holes are all drilled bolt the plats to the fram and weld a pead where the plate touches the side pips.

5th Tighten the header.If you have any trouble call me at
Shell Valley East toll free 1-877-221-1970 John

[Janusz]

JL1924

My SV has the same configuration and the expanded inlets on the headers keep the connection tubes from moving down. If you search some past posts, you'll see comments around the pipes sealing against each other once they heat up. I've always found that some amount of exhaust blow-by occurs where the tubes slip into each other, which is a nuisance.

Once you locate the tubes in the headers, you could weld up one set of the joints to limit both movement and exhaust leaks. Take a look at the photos from one of CC club members, Mike Lopez, for his approach on the header/side pipe connection.

[cobra2000]

By welding up those jouints you will may cause cracks in other area's of the headers. The reson for the slip joint is to let movement accure.Becuase the side pipes are welded and bolted to the fram and the headers are bolted to the block and welding the joints, the system would become solid. Betwen vibration and the tork role of the engine something would have to give. Use a good amount of high heat silicone in the joints it should help with blow by. John Shell Valley East

[Janusz]

Probably should have clarified my post better. I was noting that you could weld the lower joint which would still leave the upper joint as a slip joint for flexing. You could then use high temp silicone, springs or mounting clips for the remaining connection.

This does bring up the question of how do some of the builds manage to not incur any damage when they use flanged header-to-side pipe couplings.

[JL1924]

Thanks very much to all of you. Appreciate the input.

JL1924

[flipper35]

I used some thin sheet metal and hose clamps based on someone else's idea here on CC. Wrapped the slip joints with the galvanized metal and hose clamped them tight. Of course I have a mid-plate and a torque rod so my engine doesn't move either.