Headers

[Phil Ashmore]

As I understand it there are two common styles of headers for the Tiger. The “Ricks” style and the “CAT” style. I would like to use the CAT style, where besides the CAT club can I buy them? or is that possible?. Right now the car has the org cast iron manifolds and a new Tiger technolgies 2 in exhaust. Also has the right angle filter adaptor, I understand that I can take the right angle part off and screw a Deutsh 363 filter right on the block and the CAT headers will clear. Ideas…?….cheers

[John & Gwen Logan Sr.]

Phil,

I prefer the headers with the tube-in-tube connectors rather than the flange connectors because they use less space. I believe the CAT headers have the flanges.

John Logan

[Bob Hokanson]

Are the “tube-in-tube connectors” called “merged collectors?”

[Chuck & Ollie Ingram]

quote John Logan:

Phil,

I prefer the headers with the tube-in-tube connectors rather than the flange connectors because they use less space. I believe the CAT headers have the flanges.

John Logan

I just got a set of headers from Rick.They do have the flange connectors to the exhaust.I’m installing a 302 with stage 2 heads in my 62. I swear there is less room for the headers. I do know on the Lister clone with the 351 I had to use the cast tiger manifolds as headers would not fit at all. I will have to deal with this as I will be installing them this week.That is after the tunnel and firewall is complete.
8) sunny but -30C

[Phil Ashmore]

I understand from two people that the CAT headers will allow the use of a small screw on filter. I know it works on Nicks car because I have seen it. I talked to Curt at Classic Sunbeam and he mentioned he had the CAT headers on his 302 with a Moroso spin on adapter kit. I think i’ll try to get the CAT headers. Have a shop close buy that builds performance ss exhaust systems…have their system on my Maxima…so I’m sure Jeff can make either header match up to my Tiger Tech 2 in exhaust system, they do a lot of muscle car and hot rod stuff. Let us know how your system hooks up. My car is still in florida and I won’t bring it home till april, but now is a good time to organize the stuff I want to address this spring. Right now I’m praying for snow at the cottage so I can get out on the snowmobiles……cheers

[John and Laurie and Laurie Logan]

In response to the tube in tube, merged headers question. The tube in tube is just as it says the collector slides into the exhaust. Merged headers have ( or at least the cat headers) A flange. What merged means is that where all the tubes instead of 4 straight cut tubes ending in the collector, the 4 tubes are scalloped to a point inside the collector. This is to help the exhaust gases flow into the collector smoother. The cost to order the cat headers with the merged tubes was about $100 more 6yrs ago. When I got mine I had to sand the insides where the tubes merge because of the crapy weld job . loganjr

[Phil Ashmore]

Next step and question. I have the headers now do I get them ceramic coated before I put them on and hope I don’t have to “modify” them to make them fit? Or do I just paint them with a hi temp header paint? Or do I put them on, make sure they fit, then take them off again and get them coated, and then put them on again!!?

[John & Gwen Logan Sr.]

I would recomend you put them on, make sure they fit, modify them as they will be required, take them off, get them coated and reinstall them.

John Logan

[barry-knight]

Damn good advice. Headers are guaranteed to stretch the limits of rational behavior and your ability to curse in multiple languages. The brand and model of header and car mean absolutely nothing; it is a unversal problem.

One more piece of advice based on experience; make sure the header flanges are flat and do not leak BEFORE you send them out for coating.

[Phil Ashmore]

Several of the people on the tiger list mentioned using the ARP 3/8 in head bolts, and I was planning on doing that. Stopped in at my local speed shop…..where the guy does know what a Tiger is…..and said they also make bolts with a 5/16 in head and thats the go fur sure. Also said the same as almost everyone else…..fit first, then coat. What colour would look most original, thought maybe that dull aluminium look, or maybe satin black…?

[Robert and Mariet Jaarsma]

I had some Alpine header coated dull aluminum, that looks good and more like steel, like the originals, than black.
On my Tiger they are too silvery to my taste. Just my opinion.
Robert

[John and Laurie and Laurie Logan]

Phil when you install the headers for your trail fit you should also have new engine and transmission mounts. The ones on my car had dropped 1/2″ and were on the verge of failure. loganjr

[Phil Ashmore]

Craig put a new trans mount in in 2002, and while the engine mounts look real good I ordered two more. That way have some more options….cheers

[John & Gwen Logan Sr.]

Beware of some of the after market engine mounts! Compare them with the original to make sure they are the same height, rubber thickness and position the engine in the right lateral position. Some of the Tiawan or China made mounts scrimp in every way.

John Logan Sr.

[Chuck & Ollie Ingram]

quote John Logan:

Beware of some of the after market engine mounts! Compare them with the original to make sure they are the same height, rubber thickness and position the engine in the right lateral position. Some of the Tiawan or China made mounts scrimp in every way.

John Logan Sr.

Doug Jennings advise is to drill them and put a just snug fitting bolt through them.I bought a new pair and 1 seperated as I was installing it.It was replaced at no extra cost
I will be doing this step to mine.

[Phil Ashmore]

Well that sounds interesting. I ordered these from Classic Sunbeam, but will have a close look at them.I have done some Healeys and still have my bug eye….30 years now. I found that some of the aftermarket rubber bits would go bad very fast, 2 or 3 years and starting to deteriate and discolour. I also found that good used stuff cleaned up and refurbished, often fit better and lasted longer and on a driver you could save time fitting and money. I’m not happy with the new rubber pads and gaskets Craig had for the tiger hardtop.

[jandrscoville]

Who all sells tube type headers that will fit a Tiger?

[maicoh12]

A company called cobra restores is selling headers for the tiger. They have two types, both are 1 5/8in. primary tubes.One is for street the other for racing.

[thor]

I picked up a set of Sanderson tube headers for my Tiger a couple years back at the turkey rod run in Daytona. This was their display set which was put up in a storage room, forgotten about, and found again when I mentioned the tiger. I have them on the engine but the engine has not made it to the car yet. They said that another run can be made if there was enough interest.

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