C.A.T. Stainless Headers
- Thread starter Fordlandia
- Start date
- Messages
- 907
And also a huge thanks to Dan's silent partner in the header operation, Gary Hanks!!!
Buck
Buck
- Messages
- 367
Absolutely!
I have made it clear that I have put in more than my share of time trying keep CAT headers available and a part I would put on MY car.
I told "the Powers that Be" I would Help with header production, But I'm not going to do it by myself.
Gary Hanks volunteered to help, so I am considering him to be the HEAD header dude!
Unfortunately, Gary's Health is FAR from 100%
BTW, Gary's mouth still works quite well, so I don't think of him as Silent, MAYBE a little RESERVED, maybe?
We are doing what we can, WHEN we can do it.
Gary is currently disassembling the Prototype Headers so we can reassemble them for MORE clearance.
And Then modify the Fixtures, Again.
I have made it clear that I have put in more than my share of time trying keep CAT headers available and a part I would put on MY car.
I told "the Powers that Be" I would Help with header production, But I'm not going to do it by myself.
Gary Hanks volunteered to help, so I am considering him to be the HEAD header dude!
Unfortunately, Gary's Health is FAR from 100%
BTW, Gary's mouth still works quite well, so I don't think of him as Silent, MAYBE a little RESERVED, maybe?
We are doing what we can, WHEN we can do it.
Gary is currently disassembling the Prototype Headers so we can reassemble them for MORE clearance.
And Then modify the Fixtures, Again.
- Messages
- 5
Cat 1 5/8 primary tube headers
I finally got around to fitting the headers on my Alger. It is a 5.0 with GT40P heads. Two tubes needed some massaging (dimples) to fit around the shorty spark plugs. On the left side I had to grind the motor mount slightly along with a small dimple in the tube for clearance. The motor mounts are new, left side shimed 3/32nds at the motor. I am running a single SS 3" exhaust on the right side with a SS flow master muffler and a resonator center exit at the rear. this was accomplished by duplicating the Alpine exhaust hole on the right side but 4 1/2"s in size. 2 1/2" collectors merging into 3" just before the pass trough. My transmission mount comes from plates bolted under the cross member opposed to the Tiger mounts bolted to the sides. Some day I will get around to posting a picture. I want to thank every one for making so much info available on these cars. Mine is not a Tiger but is still just as much fun. Happy motoring.
I finally got around to fitting the headers on my Alger. It is a 5.0 with GT40P heads. Two tubes needed some massaging (dimples) to fit around the shorty spark plugs. On the left side I had to grind the motor mount slightly along with a small dimple in the tube for clearance. The motor mounts are new, left side shimed 3/32nds at the motor. I am running a single SS 3" exhaust on the right side with a SS flow master muffler and a resonator center exit at the rear. this was accomplished by duplicating the Alpine exhaust hole on the right side but 4 1/2"s in size. 2 1/2" collectors merging into 3" just before the pass trough. My transmission mount comes from plates bolted under the cross member opposed to the Tiger mounts bolted to the sides. Some day I will get around to posting a picture. I want to thank every one for making so much info available on these cars. Mine is not a Tiger but is still just as much fun. Happy motoring.
While I have not been involved directly, the current C.A.T. headers are made from different tooling than those from the 80's.
Are you looking at the stainless steel headers (bigger tubes) or the hopefully coming soon LAT replicas? Those will have side-out connection for the exhaust system along with the flat plat at the back of the collector for wide open exhaust, like the original LAT headers.
- Messages
- 5
headers
Just for general info, stock exhaust manifolds work fine with GT40P heads and short spark plugs. You will need to use thermal protection sleeves for the boots. I ran mine that way for a year with no issues. Happy Motoring.
Just for general info, stock exhaust manifolds work fine with GT40P heads and short spark plugs. You will need to use thermal protection sleeves for the boots. I ran mine that way for a year with no issues. Happy Motoring.
- Messages
- 367
Update
The Prototype set of headers has been reassembled and fixture revisions are in process.
One part of the fixture needing work is the location of the collector output.
Yet again, we are rethinking the world of collector flanges.
There are several options we can pursue.
1) use the same 3 bolt flange welded on.
2) Do NOT weld the flange to the collector, but provide it loose.
3) Do not provide a flange, (use slip fit pipe or other flange, band or ball).
4) change to band type flange (cost increase).
5) change to ball type flange/connection.
Also, in the past, the collector flanges were at a bit of an angle (latest fixture).
basically, they where close to vertical, that is to say not quite perpendicular to the collector output.
We are contemplating putting them perpendicular to the collector.
We are looking for input, desires, wishes.
Speak up !
DW
The Prototype set of headers has been reassembled and fixture revisions are in process.
One part of the fixture needing work is the location of the collector output.
Yet again, we are rethinking the world of collector flanges.
There are several options we can pursue.
1) use the same 3 bolt flange welded on.
2) Do NOT weld the flange to the collector, but provide it loose.
3) Do not provide a flange, (use slip fit pipe or other flange, band or ball).
4) change to band type flange (cost increase).
5) change to ball type flange/connection.
Also, in the past, the collector flanges were at a bit of an angle (latest fixture).
basically, they where close to vertical, that is to say not quite perpendicular to the collector output.
We are contemplating putting them perpendicular to the collector.
We are looking for input, desires, wishes.
Speak up !
DW
- Messages
- 93
Dan,
I just installed my set from the last production. Fit was spot on after switching to new motor mounts from Rick (who even threw in a couple masks). It was still a bit tight on the sides at tubes 3 and 5 but I attribute that to my car's frame not being perfectly true.
As far as the collector flange, I'm finding the angle to be a problem (more of a gap at the bottom) and would suggest changing to perpendicular to the collector. I need to upgrade to larger pipes anyway so it's not a huge issue for me.
Thank you very much for all your hard work on these.
-Jon
I just installed my set from the last production. Fit was spot on after switching to new motor mounts from Rick (who even threw in a couple masks). It was still a bit tight on the sides at tubes 3 and 5 but I attribute that to my car's frame not being perfectly true.
As far as the collector flange, I'm finding the angle to be a problem (more of a gap at the bottom) and would suggest changing to perpendicular to the collector. I need to upgrade to larger pipes anyway so it's not a huge issue for me.
Thank you very much for all your hard work on these.
-Jon
- Messages
- 2,862
Worked with them all
My 2 pence: Welding a flange to the headers is OK if the mating flange & tapering pipe are loose. This will allow "aiming" at the cruciform aperture. Slip piping is also OK as adapter pieces can be had over-the-counter for the novice. Just sayin'
My 2 pence: Welding a flange to the headers is OK if the mating flange & tapering pipe are loose. This will allow "aiming" at the cruciform aperture. Slip piping is also OK as adapter pieces can be had over-the-counter for the novice. Just sayin'
- Messages
- 367
To revive this still on going thread...
It's 2023 and CAT is talking about Stainless headers again.
The current situation:
The CAT Fixtures are still in process, with the Collector
position/style not yet decided.
Also, the "Hero Set" latest proto header set does not
have the collectors attached.
The working collectors are a set of slip on Merged with no flanges.
Currently, on the table is to have Hedman make a Batch.
However, Hedman can NOT use our Fixtures.
Their system uses fixtures that are just opposite of our current fixtures.
So Hedman just wants the Hero Set of Headers to make THEIR fixtures
and then make a batch.
Also, Hedman does not generally make Merged Collectors.
If we want Merged Collectors, Hedman would buy them.
To give Hedman a complete Hero Set, we need to decide on
the type and position of the collectors.
When I talk about collector position, I am mostly talking
about front to back.
With the engine having each Head offset to the other,
with headers of even layout, the collectors would be staggered
the same amount as the head offsets.
In the past, I suspect the collector positions were
more random and/or how they Best LOOKED on the car.
This is yet another compromise to add to the mix
of Collector decisions.
DW
It's 2023 and CAT is talking about Stainless headers again.
The current situation:
The CAT Fixtures are still in process, with the Collector
position/style not yet decided.
Also, the "Hero Set" latest proto header set does not
have the collectors attached.
The working collectors are a set of slip on Merged with no flanges.
Currently, on the table is to have Hedman make a Batch.
However, Hedman can NOT use our Fixtures.
Their system uses fixtures that are just opposite of our current fixtures.
So Hedman just wants the Hero Set of Headers to make THEIR fixtures
and then make a batch.
Also, Hedman does not generally make Merged Collectors.
If we want Merged Collectors, Hedman would buy them.
To give Hedman a complete Hero Set, we need to decide on
the type and position of the collectors.
When I talk about collector position, I am mostly talking
about front to back.
With the engine having each Head offset to the other,
with headers of even layout, the collectors would be staggered
the same amount as the head offsets.
In the past, I suspect the collector positions were
more random and/or how they Best LOOKED on the car.
This is yet another compromise to add to the mix
of Collector decisions.
DW
- Messages
- 367
Seeing comments/suggestions are few...
Let me clarify...
"...this is a good place..."
Is HERE, The CAT Forum.
...At the CAT Meeting is optional.
Pictures of the Ball connector on the Proto Headers,
on the Tiger, coming soon, IF we get enough Interest.
DW
Let me clarify...
"...this is a good place..."
Is HERE, The CAT Forum.
...At the CAT Meeting is optional.
Pictures of the Ball connector on the Proto Headers,
on the Tiger, coming soon, IF we get enough Interest.
DW
- Messages
- 367
One of the Big concerns of installing tube headers
is FIT. Or more to the point, DO they Fit?
WE at CAT parts take that as serious as we can.
Here is a picture of the Quality Control effort
going on for the last batch (2019).
Here we have Bill Graf, Gary Hanks and Jere Teepen
inspecting headers in the fixtures.
In the foreground is a FAILED/BAD header.
We later tested the BAD header on a Tiger,
It went on but had ZERO clearance.
That QC effort made it clear the Fixtures
were NOT adequate, as they were, to make consistent headers.
Work started to improve the fixtures.
DW
is FIT. Or more to the point, DO they Fit?
WE at CAT parts take that as serious as we can.
Here is a picture of the Quality Control effort
going on for the last batch (2019).
Here we have Bill Graf, Gary Hanks and Jere Teepen
inspecting headers in the fixtures.
In the foreground is a FAILED/BAD header.
We later tested the BAD header on a Tiger,
It went on but had ZERO clearance.
That QC effort made it clear the Fixtures
were NOT adequate, as they were, to make consistent headers.
Work started to improve the fixtures.
DW
- Messages
- 2,862
Thanks for the efforts.