Lakes style headers

Being fenderless, the Essex looks a
bit "thin" behind the front wheels at the cowl area.
Lakes headers have always been part of the plan, and now, as
the critical parts are lying on the garage floor, I can start buiding them.

 

This picture captures the thinness of the Essex at the cowl area, and illustrates the need of lakes headers. (August 2010)

A small colection of parts is the kit that will result in new lakes style headers. The cones were bought att Reids Hot Rods in Orange, CA, the bends are bent in Finland and the flanges designed by yours truly and cut by Pro Cut in Vikby.

The first primary tube is welded to the collector cone and to one of the the exhaust port flanges. It looks like the cone's sloping downwards, but it follows the angle of the engine.

All four primary tubes are welded to the colector cone here, as is the end flange. Looks good so far, the connecting pipe and its flanges are still missing.

The short pipe and its two bolt flange is welded to the cone here. Two bends connect the headers to the old exhaust system.

Painted with heat resistant paint and mounted with new bolts and gaskets. These headers make the Essex look a lot more aggressive. This is the first side, now the other one...