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Old 07-24-2021, 10:57 PM
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Default New Doug's Headers: Is this normal?

Got a pair of Doug's Headers for my '66 GTO in the mail today. They have some pretty big dents in the primary tubes where they shaped them into the flanges. I know from watching the header bashing episode of Engine Masters that these dents won't hurt performance in any way, but... Are these dents normal for Doug's Headers?




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Old 07-24-2021, 11:03 PM
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They were put in before plating?Maybe to help get the bolts started?Tom

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Old 07-24-2021, 11:07 PM
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Yes, the dents were put in prior to the ceramic coating process. The bolt clearance idea is not something I had considered. Hmmm...

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Old 07-25-2021, 09:34 AM
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Probably bolt access. I increased the ones in my Hookers before coating.

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1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever!
1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand
1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project
2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4
1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project
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Old 07-25-2021, 09:55 AM
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When my headders rot out….Iam going with the Ram Air Manifolds….Headders Suck…But you don’t know they suck if you Nevah had them.

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Old 07-25-2021, 08:19 PM
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My Doug's don't have any dents in them, but then again they were purchased probably 15 years ago,and maybe for the newer ones this is normal?

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Old 07-27-2021, 03:08 PM
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I contacted the tech team at Doug's (Pertronix) to inquire about the dents, and they said they are for bolt clearance. ID67goat, since your older ones don't have them, maybe they added that "feature" somewhere along the way.

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Old 07-27-2021, 03:46 PM
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I can understand the need for 'clearance', but it looks cheesy.

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Old 07-27-2021, 04:14 PM
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Default header dents

I agree-it does not look the way I would want it to look. Does anybody know if Hooker does the same thing. Thanks,Paul

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Old 07-27-2021, 05:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vertigto View Post
I can understand the need for 'clearance', but it looks cheesy.
I agree with you, which is why I raised an eyebrow when looking at them for the first time. Wasn't expecting to see such crude dents on a $760 pair of headers...

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Old 07-28-2021, 09:10 AM
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All of my Hooker and Hedman have the dimples where the tube is close to the bolt hole. My Hookers #1 rear bolt and #5 bolts are the worse to get to and needed a bigger dimple to even get a wrench on. I have custom ground on boxed end and the #5 you have to use a hex head and and open end ground thin.My old 70s Hooker 409 header still have a bolt stuck in the flange the dimple was not big enough to get it out easily.

My $2000 SS copies of Hookers also have dimples!

Try sliding the bolt in the flanges and you will probably see why they have dimples!

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1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand
1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project
2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4
1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project
1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs
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Old 07-28-2021, 11:22 AM
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Thanks for the reassurance, Skip. You're totally right - I'd have found out why the dimples exist eventually!

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Old 07-29-2021, 07:29 PM
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I had to massage my new set of Dougs on my 80 trans am with d ports.

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Old 07-29-2021, 07:56 PM
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Yeah, we'll see how it goes on my car. They are supposed to fit pretty nicely on the '64-67 A-bodies. Fingers crossed...

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Old 08-03-2021, 08:33 PM
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I wouldn't keep them. You would think they would have a die inserted through the port and form the clearance with a press. Those look like ball-peen hammer job.

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Last edited by NeighborsComplaint; 08-03-2021 at 08:41 PM.
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Old 08-03-2021, 09:08 PM
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I don't think I have much choice in the matter, since that is just how Doug's makes them now. I waited for four months for RARE to send a pair of 2.5" manifolds, but I cancelled the order because I grew tired of being told "one more month" over and over. That left Doug's headers as the best alternative in terms of fitment.

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Old 08-03-2021, 09:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZeGermanHam View Post
I don't think I have much choice in the matter, since that is just how Doug's makes them now. I waited for four months for RARE to send a pair of 2.5" manifolds, but I cancelled the order because I grew tired of being told "one more month" over and over. That left Doug's headers as the best alternative in terms of fitment.
I might have held out a little longer for the RAREs...I went through the same thing and eventually got them after a couple months delay. One was damaged in shipment and waited another month for a replacement. In the end, it was worth it although I hate being lied to and is usually a deal breaker.

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Old 08-03-2021, 10:35 PM
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Yeah, I don't really hold it against Paul at RARE, I just wish he had more reliable info to provide customers. I'd be fine waiting a long time if I knew there was a reliable ETA on the horizon. But with no ETA provided, I had to move the project forward. That decision was influenced by seeing Doug's headers also start to disappear from availability, combined with my fear that I'll receive my car back from paint and not have an exhaust for it.

I'm also waiting on a set of pulleys from RARE that were ordered in April as well. That one I'm a bit stuck on, and it may end up being the thing that keeps me from having a car that I can start and move around the shop while I work on the interior, trim, glass, etc.

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Old 08-05-2021, 05:16 PM
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I just ordered an X exhaust center section and tailpipes from him to replace the Thrush H system that wasn't lining up well.

Ordered Monday, shipping out today.

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Old 08-13-2021, 05:14 PM
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Talking Doug's dimples

Just received my Doug's for round port GTO. Yep the same dents are on mine also. Oh well!

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