PROJECT " LAID BACK 2 " - 1978 SALON 2 DOOR AEROBACK

[Texas82GP]

Sucks to hear about the heads. Glad that you are moving forward though, and with a good attitude.
Honestly, this is one reason why I'm leaning towards just getting out of the hobby. No decent machine shops anymore. Lots of high priced "celebrity" builders and so-so work.

Last work I had done was a valve job on a pair of iron LT1 heads....$300 and 4 months....too busy building engines for the racers at the dirt track he bought.

Don't get out Brian. Just do more yourself.

 

[fleming442]

I hope it works out for ya JAMCAR223 ; I'm right there with ya.

 

[JAMCAR223]

Those look great. I know there is power lost with these but these are no doubt a good improvement over the regular SBO manifolds. I was impressed by how nice they were cast. What do the outlets measure? I would appreciate a verification on that. I have slowly failing ceramic coated Sanderson shorties, which all headers do on the 88, 10+ years old. I might say screw 20 hp, still be able to run my stock starter and have a ton of ground clearance. Did you buy down pipes? The Ram Air Restorations down are true 2.5" down pipes unlike the Pypes which are 2.25" into 2.5", mandrel bent and look really nice. The only plus of Pypes is 409 stainless, if they fit, there has been issues vs aluminum coated for the RAR pipes.

They did a good job. Hope the coating lasts for years to come. The Thornton port size is 2.25 " tall and 1.5" wide. The outlet is 2.125" and the exhaust I have is the Jeg's 2.5" stainless kit several of us bought 2 years ago when they had a sale on them. This kit is in storage, and not easy to get to in order to confirm the head / lead pipe size.

 

[81cutlass]

Having custom work done and getting shoddy results is a bummer, especially from someone considered one of the 'best'. Not like a bad oil pan or something you can return and at least get the money back or just go to a different supplier.

Hopefully it gets resolved and you can get the motor wrapped up and running! Nice to see the steady stream of parts!

It does seem as if your awesome local parts scrounging is drying up. Have you not been looking as much, or have you noticed the used parts classifieds have dried up lately? I seem to think that people up north at least aren't selling their parts as much lately, but not sure if that's me being picky or what.

 

[olds307 and 403]

They did a good job. Hope the coating lasts for years to come. The Thornton port size is 2.25 " tall and 1.5" wide. The outlet is 2.125" and the exhaust I have is the Jeg's 2.5" stainless kit several of us bought 2 years ago when they had a sale on them. This kit is in storage, and not easy to get to in order to confirm the head / lead pipe size.

How much bigger do you think the outlet could be safely opened up? I am having second thoughts on headers. These will last forever and I would probably high temp clear coat them. Either the Pypes, 2.25" flange into 2.5" Stainless or Ram Air Restorations true 2.5" mandrel bent aluminumized head pipes, either would work, if the Pypes fit, sometimes they don't. You will need either of these or custom down pipes to hook up to that Jegs exhaust system.

 

[JAMCAR223]

2.25" is all I would be comfortable with. At that point, you risk compromising the flange where the donut seals. I'm expecting to have custom down pipes made.

 

[JAMCAR223]

Having custom work done and getting shoddy results is a bummer, especially from someone considered one of the 'best'. Not like a bad oil pan or something you can return and at least get the money back or just go to a different supplier.

Hopefully it gets resolved and you can get the motor wrapped up and running! Nice to see the steady stream of parts!

It does seem as if your awesome local parts scrounging is drying up. Have you not been looking as much, or have you noticed the used parts classifieds have dried up lately? I seem to think that people up north at least aren't selling their parts as much lately, but not sure if that's me being picky or what.

It's a bummer for sure, but it will not keep me from moving forward. I have been very selective on the parts scrounging. With (6) cars, and spares for just about everything ( tires / wheels / header panels / doors / fenders / grills / dashes / fender wells / bumpers / motors / transmissions / steering columns) not to mention tools, work benches, storage racks, engine hoist / welding table, compressor / Quik Jack lift... I am out of space.

 

[Texas82GP]

I am out of space

I know that feeling brother, and I only have two cars and a truck!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Thanks, 2.25" sounds fine, a nice improvement over maybe 2" factory. The Pyles down pipes have the 2.25" flange into 2.5" mandrel bent Stainless Steel. Guys have used them with these manifolds with success, I will probably use them with these manifolds and they will match your Stainless exhaust.

 

[JAMCAR223]