I've bought a set of Doug's side pipe headers for my 70 BB. Polished stainless steel...the finish is beautiful, mirror like polish with no flaws. However, they don't quite fit. I have Brodix aluminum heads, which apparently have elevated the exhaust ports by 300 thousandths (?). I'd like to find an experienced fabricator who can section the tubes.....add a little length and angle to the tubes for a fit. Alternately, I suppose I'd entertain someone who wanted to create a set of side pipes from scratch.

Any recommendations? There's plenty of muffler shops locally. The only ones I know about are not motivated to get involved.....I think the reason is they can make more money stressfree doing work-of-the-mill muffler installations, and in addition to lake of experience. I can, if required, deliver the car with the front clip missing.....no body from the firewall forward. My current front clip is a bondo sculpture masterpiece. I plan to install a new aftermarket front clip, so I can remove the front clip ahead of time. Thanks for any references.
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When? 30 years ago, I'd probably have no problem with headers here in So Cal. So Cal used to be the Mecca of hot rods, custom cars, and a whole army of experienced people and businesses. Today mostly a desert. Years ago, I would have just gone to Doug's in Irwindale California and had a custom set built. However, the California EPA forced them to move manufacturing from California because of their ceramic coating process, I called them last week, and they are now in the process of moving their Irwindale headquarters to Kansas City. Another anecdote: I wanted some frame work. I finally found a custom shop. The owner was interested in what I was doing. But he said, he had one more job to do.....and then he was going out of business!

 

Look at marine manifold extensions...They make different thickness spacers. I used a set on my 327 to clear rubbing issues. To see mock it up just use a stack of washers to mimic the spacer to see if they would work for you before throwing money at it
https://www.hardin-marine.com/c-390-...d-spacers.aspx
https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-1281...ock-chevy.aspx
https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-1282...ock-chevy.aspx


I used longer allen head bolts that were drilled for safety wire to lock the bolts so they didnt loosen

 

About my header installation sage. Just found out from Brodix that the exhaust ports on the heads I have are elevated 0.600 of an inch higher than stock! Great for performance, not good for a generically dimensioned pre-made header. Curiously, the passenger side header fits fine! It's the driver's side that's going to need altering. Looks like I need to cut cut the driver's side tubes along their generally vertical sections and have small exetensions welded in. Building a rest-mod is a lot of fun!

 

I went with Brodix Race Rites so I wouldnt have to deal with this...good luck. Heres your chance to learn to Tig

 

I did the brodix heads years ago , I had to get only one tube of the hooker side pipe header "adjusted" and the worst fit one was cut and replaced to clear the jeep box