[Stovepipe]

Help, I need Help!, I called Thorley, classic industries, Summit Racing, Exhaust pros., even the beer gods, and no one knows why the Thorley's aren't working with my 69 firebird.
Summary: After Struggling with the stud that holds the counter shaft and screws on to the block and the clutch fork pin (WD-40 is my friend) I was able to get the headers on, which I would say it was no problem, but doing it by myself was harder than I thought. So now the Headers are on, but then I noticed that the counter shaft for my clutch was hitting the headers, so I can put it in neutral but my clutch stays down on the floor, to return the petal up, one of flanges on the Counter shaft has to clear the pipes. Has anyone ever run accross this problem, or am I just a moron that has put this part in the wrong way.
On a lighter note the pipes sound so sweet. I wish I could run them without mufflers. Hahaha. These puppies are Throaty!

Stock 400 Sm Engine Block
Stock Clutch parts
stock 1969 conv.Pontiac firebird body
Doug Thorley 14 gauge 3-pipe Headers for a 69 firebird
12 hours of Blood sweat and Beers!
But I didn't scratch the Headers putting them in. Any Answers?
Oh, and after hearing these Thorleys I'd have to say that Hookers are crap.

[TUNNEL PORT]

As gearbanger said. You are wrong 68lemans462. Doug's is not making the Tri-y's now. They had made them in the past. But Since I had picked up all patterns & headers from them at the 1st of the year when they sold the business. I have been able to make the improvements that I wanted & had asked them to do. The ones that they told me were impossible or to hard to do without totally redesigning the headers.

I know now that it was <span class="ev_code_RED">NOT </span> impossible & actually quite easy. I can see that it was just another way to just get a lot more money out of me.

Hi Ron don't you owe Darrell an apoligy

[68lemans462]

I'd be pissed off too...

It is so funny how people get defensive when you are clearly stating that there is a problem with your new HIGH DOLLAR headers! I'm sorry, but for all the crap people talk about these headers, and their price THEY SHOULD BOLT RIGHT UP!! Suggesting that your frame is tweaked, give me a f'in break...

As for the quality of the Doug's headers, I would say that they are second to none. They are obviously of higher quality than the Hooker Super comps I just put on my car. AND they dont hang down as low. With the SC's though, everything just bolted right up. No interference with anything, and my stock oil filter and housing fit fine. All the bolts were easy to get to, and I had both sides in after one night (5-10pm).

I have a friend that just purchased a set of Doug's for his '67 GTO. They appear to fit well. Of course, no one mentioned to him that he would need to move his disc brake proportioning valve in order for them to fit. What a major PITA! Of course, once he re-works his brake lines they will fit fine but thats alot of work.

[head #96]

An exhust system will not contain a broken (spining violently) driveshaft. Believe me I know.

[ChupaCabras]

thank you for the feed back. crossing out doug headers from my "to buy" list. I hope you get a refund, I will avoid the potential hassle and buy elsewhere.

[pro-tour79]

I know it's too late now but Ron tunnel port is about to get a run of tri-ys done for the a-body

[Ccass]

I just read this. They are not open yet. In the meantime, Darrell and Grandville...can you please e-mail [email protected] and myself exactly what you feel is a fair resolution for each of your situations. I will make sure you are taken care of.

In the future, I would appreciate it if you keep each subject confined to ONE topic. Darrell you should have ONE topic and Grandville, you should have ONE topic. The practice of 'UPDATING' in another topic is frowned upon in all bulletin board communities. Because once this is resolved, it may be hard for readers to follow all the topics and draw an accurate assessment of a suppliers customer service and quality. For example, with three topics now started, it may appear to some, like Doug's has a line-up of disatisfied customers. In 6 or 7 years of forums postings, I can't remember 1 bad thing being said about Doug's products or their customer service. I personally have never had anything but pleasant dealings and accurate information from them. And it's not like I am trying to protect them. You see I have allowed all posts to remain regardless of Doug's side of the story which is not being made public here.

Please keep in mind that when you post your complaints as they are happening It's potentially unfair to the supplier as many readers my not ever see a resolution to an issue. Over the years, I can't tell you how many members have posted complaints and despite positive resolutions, no 'follow-up' post is made. Regardless of this situation, the mfg has an extremely good reputation in the Pontiac community and you run the risk of seriously damaging that reputation. If the final outcome is negative, then their reputation deserves to be tarnished and posted here, but keep in mind, if the outcome is positive, there reputation has still been tarnished because there is pages of bad publicity and usually only one post that is positive. (the last post)

[Depere70]

I just installed Dougs headers on my 70. Did it while I was installing new engine. They fit like a glove. Prior to this I did however make my own proportioning valve bracket and reloate it up near the master. If left in existing location it could be a hang up.

Next time call me up to help (make sure to get the case of beer)

[ricbrooks2]

I love this forum and while I think a lot of information is not 100% accurate it still is great information. A lot of posts are people's opinions about how easy or hard something is to do. One person might think it was not big deal and to the next it was a pain for the exact same installation. I think it depends on each person's ability and sometimes even their mood at the time of installation. I am in the middle of a restoration on a 1970 GTO now and some things that I think are a pain, someone else who has done it before probably thinks no biggie. Any how thanks to all who post information.

P.S. to anyone interested here is the link to my family website featuring a page on my GTO restoration. Which is not complete but I am documenting as I go.

http://mysite.verizon.net/resnym23/

[Darrell]

Hello Earth to Ron!!!!!!

[grandville455]

Cooool! When's fire up time?.....like father like son!

[b777d]

I understand ya Darrell I have a set of hooker headers $600.00 pain in the you know what and on top of that I have a set of ebelbrock heads that I bought brand new and explained my set up to edelbrock and they said they would bolt right on HA HA they will if you dont use 6.5 rockers but if I would have done my home work and read some of the posts on this site I wouldnt of had that surprize, this is the best Pontiac site for info and I believe that no matter what kind of headers your going to install its going to be a pain in the a&& now that being said its Miller time later dude.

[grandville455]

Damn Sorry buddy!Is anyone else having those issues that he is with their 70 gto with dougs?

p.s what is taking so long ,lol

[Darrell]

Another. So Darb, next time you ask me whats taking me so long, just understand all I am doing is fixing everyones junk I keep buying!

[Goin' Topless]

I bought my Doug's on their word-of-mouth reputation. I know that no header install is trouble free, so I bought my headers holding no illusions that it'll be easier than exhaust maifolds.

This is one of the few strings I've seen that's negative to Doug's headers. I've seen scores of other comments on here and in other boards that heartily endorse them. Am I scared away? Not really.

Is it possible that Darrel's customer service experience got off on the wrong foot? Sure. I'm sure they were upset by his comments, justifiable or not.

I consider the underlying message of this string to be: Forwarned is forearmed. Now I know the best avenues to take if I do have a problem with my headers.

[TUNNEL PORT]

Quote by Darrell

"I will now except apologies from Ron on his thinking that the almighty Dougs could not make a mistake"


Ron,

It seems Darrell thinks he needs one. After all you basically told him his car was a tweaked salvaged car.

Quote Ron
"You say you keep modifying everyones junk to fit. The parts and pieces you are purchasing are probably not junk but you are trying to fit them on a car that is tweaked."


It seems Darrell thinks he needs one. After all you basically told him his car was a tweaked OR a junk car.
How would you feel if you were told your car must be a peice of junk. Just because of blind product loyalty.

[68GTOConv]

Darrells, Doug's won't pay the shipping to swap out a bad header - That is just bad business.

Stand by your guns man. You are the customer here!

Mike M

[Formula8]

Dang Wheelspin, I thought that was a secret only a few knew.

Honestly guys, Pontiac headers are not that difficult. Getting everything out of the way to saves time and frustration. Substitute that short bolt and start it about 1/3 of the way in, then put the end bolts 1/3 in, pull the short bolt back out, slide the gasket in on the outer bolts, reinstall the short bolt then the rest of the bolts about 1/3 in. Torque them all down evenly from there.

Another tip is to use a "craftsman" stubby wrench as it fits in between the tubes.

You want to talk about a tough header install, let's talk about the Hooker headers in my buddy's 428 SCJ Mercury Cyclone where you cannot even see the header flange from the top or bottom. Everytime he pulls the motor it's beer bribe time!!!

[Darrell]

How do the Tri Y's bolt up?

[Larry Navarro]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Darrell:
How do the Tri Y's bolt up? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
From what I gather, everyone that I know of who has purchased Ron's headers are more than happy with the quality, fit and finish, not to mention the less expensive cost over a typical DOUGS header.
Ron has since changed header manufacturers....DOUGS sold out to another company but seems that they kept the same arrogant employees as before.