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#1
06-16-2008, 03:05 AM
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Doug's Headers Rusting Fast
I purchased a set of Doug's 570 coated headers from PY for my 77 T/A last Aug and installed them in late Feb. They have about 400 miles on them and are rusting like crazy. There is also less than an 1/8" clearance between one of the tubes and the rear lower control arm mount on the driver's side and it is rubbing.
I contacted PY and they sent me to Pertonix who owns Doug's and I am now waiting for them to reply. They asked for my invoice and I sent pictures. I am VERY displeased with the headers and thought I'd share my experience. Let's see what the outcome is. In the meantime I linked some pix of the headers. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...IMG1968jpg.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...CIMG2000-1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/CIMG2001.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...CIMG1992-1.jpg |
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#2
06-16-2008, 06:55 AM
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wow them look bad good luck i got hedman for mine they still look great...
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#3
06-16-2008, 09:25 AM
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Is that all rust, or some oil splatter? Have had my Doug's on for two years without any rust problems. Mine were before Doug's was sold.
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#4
06-16-2008, 09:30 AM
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 That looks terrible, they should not rust like that. Something must have gone wrong in the coating process.
__________________
 68 Firebird, trying a q-jet now. 434/10.5:1/997's/240-242 HFT/4L80E/2800 Yank/3.42's/ Vintage Air/ 13.0 @105 mph 70 Lemans, 350/350, A/C, mostly stock 14 Ram CC, 5.7 Hemi, 8-speed, 3.92 lsd 97 Trans Am, HPP Aug 2012 http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...tiac_trans_am/ ***Sold*** |
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#5
06-16-2008, 10:05 AM
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No splatter, it is rust. It began on the collectors (both sides) in just a few spots and is slowly creeping up the header pipes and now the flanges have started it as well. You can see where rust is really bad between the tubes.
Look at this shot, looks like the coating did not quite make into the area between the tubes and this is not the only spot like that. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/CIMG1996.jpg And now the flanges have started: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/CIMG2017.jpg |
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#6
06-16-2008, 11:46 AM
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THAT is not good....No way in hell coated headers should look like that....EVER....And this is after only 400 miles???? Please post the response from Petronix for the benefit of the rest of us who have Doug's headers.....I hope it works out for you!!!
__________________
Jeff |
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#7
06-16-2008, 10:01 PM
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Wow! I'm sorry this has happened to you. The only set of dougs I've ever owned have been flawless for the last 3 years. Do you keep the car outside? I would think something went way wrong with that set of headers. I wish you the best of luck in getting to the bottom of this.
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#8
06-17-2008, 05:53 AM
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Makes me glad that I have s/steel headers.
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#9
06-19-2008, 03:00 PM
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Here is the email with Doug's: I will never buy or recommend their product again.
Hello, I find it unacceptable, I have to remove the headers, mail to you in California, wait 3 weeks and then mail them back? That means no car for 6 or more weeks plus I would be out at least $150-$200 for USPS from my military APO to ship to California and back. Is this the best that can be done? I, in good faith, purchased what is considered to be the "premium" Pontiac header and this is what I get? You know, I serve my country and have done so for 27 years and this is the type of business practice I am defending? Performance Years, as the vendor what do you have to say about this? John Thomas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: debbie@pertronix.com To: crustysarge@hotmail.com Subject: Re: Doug's Headers Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:50:27 -0700 John, We can do a one time only re-coat at no charge. The header will have to be sent back to our manufacturing department. The turnaround, including shipping time should be approximately 3 weeks. Please advise, Thank you, Debbie |
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#10
06-19-2008, 03:12 PM
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Sounds like 3 weeks, not 6 weeks total.
Plus they are standing behind the product and making it right. Not sure how they can recoat the headers without actually having them in their possession. |
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#11
06-19-2008, 03:33 PM
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Stuff happens. Sounds like they dropped the ball on your headers are trying to make them right. You're entitled to be pissed about the inconvenience but they'll need them to re-coat them.
Mine have been flawless and I'd recommend Doug's products to anybody with a Pontiac.
__________________
 frittering and wasting the hours in an off hand way.... 1969 GTO, 455ci, 230/236 Pontiac Dude's "Butcher Special" Comp hyd roller cam with Crower HIPPO solid roller lifters, Q-jet, Edelbrock P4B-QJ, Doug's headers, ported 6X-8 (97cc) heads, TKO600, 3.73 geared Eaton Tru-Trac 8.5", hydroboost, rear disc brakes......and my greatest mechanical feat....a new heater core. 
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#12
06-19-2008, 04:11 PM
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If I was in the states it might not be that bad, but when you have to mail from a military APO which is east coast to west coast it is not cheap or fast. It will take at least 10-14 days each way plus the down time. Quite frankly I don't have time right now to yank headers, find a big box and pack, mail, etc. I will be out a lot for the mailing, it is not UPS.
A better deal would be they send me a new set of headers and pay for me to send this crap back. $600 for a set of headers is not cheap, add another $150 or more and it becomes stupid. |
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#13
06-19-2008, 08:05 PM
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I would want a new set of headers, even if they charged you on a credit card until you sent the bad ones back and then credit your account. I'd split the shipping as an effort to show that i'm trying to work with them. I would talk to someone in management at PY, as thats who you bought them from and let them talk to dougs, they seem to be pretty good with customer service (PY that is).JMO Good Luck
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#14
06-19-2008, 08:15 PM
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Quote:
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#15
06-20-2008, 02:03 AM
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headers
Having the car down while the recoat occurs, along with the shipping cost makes what they proposed not very good for the customer.
They should just send a new set of headers.... Doug's variable cost for one extra set of headers is very close to zero. It would be better if they supported their product with more gusto. They're whole "one time only" thing is also insulting. As if the customer is trying to nickel and dime them. If my headers rusted every 400 miles, I'd expect a new set every 400 miles. Then again, perhaps there is no guarantee offered with their product, thus the need to limit their "warranty costs".
__________________
1969 Judge, 4-speed, CR/Parchment, Quasi-Survivor, #'s match - under restoration |
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#16
06-20-2008, 02:47 AM
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Exactly, what if these were just "born bad"? Recoated and they come back with rust in a month, what then? I emailed them and PY and siad I wanted a new set, would gladly accept a charge on my card untile the old ones were returned, and I would pay for shipping on the way back. I can't do better than that and will be out the $$ plus hassle of the retun and R&R of the headers. Will post results.
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#17
06-20-2008, 05:52 AM
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interesting read, I hope it works out for you. I've never like coated headers for this reason, I prefer stainless. too bad no one makes them for a '68 GTO.
__________________
1968 - Pontiac GTO |
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#18
06-20-2008, 07:47 AM
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Mine look very similar to yours... Maybe not near as bad tho... Mine have alot more miles on them... maybe i will take pics when i can...
__________________
Darby 74 Grandville 2Dr 455 c.i 4550# 2011 1.60 60 ft,7.33@94.55-11.502@117.74  2017, 74 firebird -3600 lbs (all bests) 1.33 60 ft, 6.314@108.39 9.950@134.32 M/T 275/60 ET SS Drag Radial 2023,(Pontiac 505) 1.27 60 ft, 5.97@112.86, 9.48@139.31.... 275/60 Radial Pro's |
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#19
06-22-2008, 03:01 AM
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Still now word from Pertronix. I will wait a day or two more and then engage with more zest, I am a tenacious guy...PY agrees with me that there is something wrong but they appear to be waiting on Pertronix to make a move.
I posted this and people should be concerned about buying Doug's now because: Keep in mind that Doug's is no longer "Doug's" but is now owned by Pertronix... Once again the name "Doug" on a header has changed hands. Do your homework before buying them now. I am not saying Pertronix is make them differently, but they could be. |
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#20
06-22-2008, 09:43 AM
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If you bought the headers from PY then PY needs to handel giving you a new set not Pertronix. After PY does the customer service to you by replacing the headers, then they should deal with Pertronix. I could understand you going to Pertronix if you bought them directly from them. I don't know if you know or can listen to Clark Howard he is a consumer guy and has told many people what to do about defective items that the seller didn't want to deal with and try to pass the ball off he calls it customer no service. Good luck with this it could have easily been myself in this or anybody else for that matter, so will be waiting to see the out come.
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