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Doug Thorley or What? |
Post Reply | Page 123 6> |
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therebelmachineguy
AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/29/2016 Location: Trenton, Ont. Status: Offline Points: 146 |
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Posted: Apr/27/2016 at 9:40am |
I haven't had to buy a set of headers in many years. I know that Doug Thorley Headers are the Group 19 units and that DT stopped making them, was bought out but is now back in business. Is there such a thing as Doug Thorley Headers for AMCs anymore? If not, what are people using. Where do they come from?
I'm interested in headers that would fit Rebels and 71-73 Matadors. |
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shootist
AMC Addicted Joined: May/24/2012 Location: Triad, NC Status: Offline Points: 1023 |
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I like Doug's headers. They are very well made and guaranteed to fit. If you have fitment issues they ask that you send them back rather than modify them. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dou-d104 |
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401harry
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/27/2011 Location: Clearwater,Fl Status: Offline Points: 758 |
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They are now called just "Dougs" headers....nice pieces but pricey...I have a 73 Matador HT and run Hedmans with zero issues in 4 years. Had them grey ceramic coated locally when new and absolutely no rust or fitment/maintenance issues and I run locking header bolts with copper gaskets. I am gonna buy another set soon for my Spirit
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tgoddardamc
AMC Apprentice Joined: Sep/15/2013 Location: vacaville ca Status: Offline Points: 105 |
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I have Hedman headers on my gremlin, they fit well but I did have to grind a bit on the mouniting flange to clear the head bolts. I had mine ceramic coated black and have had no issues. For the price I think they are hard to beat.
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AMCya!
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akimmet
AMC Nut Joined: Aug/02/2012 Location: Republic OH Status: Offline Points: 428 |
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The story is kinda confusing and complicated, but Doug's headers and Doug Thorley headers are separate companies now. Doug Thorley headers currently don't make any AMC headers.
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ccowx
AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/03/2010 Location: Yukon Status: Offline Points: 3510 |
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If you want to go uptown and get some really nice units, Control Freak makes some. Thick metal, nicely bent and welded, ceramic coated. Not cheap, but possibly the nicest ones available.
Chris
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therebelmachineguy
AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/29/2016 Location: Trenton, Ont. Status: Offline Points: 146 |
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I've learned through bitter and repeated experience that when it comes to your personal health, you buy what it takes to get the job done. I've had it with cheap headers. Mine are so bad I have to hold my breath when I drive my Machine. Kind of takes the fun out of it.
These are survivor headers, Hedman or Hooker that were $179.00 new from Canadian Tire back in the very early 70s. Still in good shape except for the flanges. Two sets of head gaskets siliconed together and siliconed to the head and still they leak. Done with that.
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White70JavelinSST
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Aug/08/2012 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 4867 |
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Who was making stainless steel headers??
IIRC it was posted on this forum. |
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70 Javelin SST, second owner, purchased 1972
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shootist
AMC Addicted Joined: May/24/2012 Location: Triad, NC Status: Offline Points: 1023 |
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Well, I can tell you who makes a really crappy pair of stainless steel headers. A company called OBX and they completely suck. First issue, they will not work with a stock starter. Second, even with a mini starter they have to be clearance on the primaries to fit edelbrock aluminum heads. Thirdly, they need clearance done to the head bolts. Avoid like the plague and opt for the silver ceramic coating, they won't turn blue like the stainless does and they look just about like a satin aluminum
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waltl
AMC Apprentice Joined: Sep/07/2012 Location: illinois Status: Offline Points: 131 |
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I just went through the Dougs hedder experience. Issues with these hedders:
1. flange plates are cut in such a way that they have to be ground to allow a spark plug socket to clear and fully engage the spark plug. I had to grind for clearance for 2 plugs, #6 and #3. Edelbrock heads with 5/8 plug. Cant even imagine what the 13/16 plug access must be like. 2. number #4 tube fouls the right side motor mount bracket HARD. I had to notch the bracket and "relieve" the tube to get the headder to fit flat on the cylinder head surface. Other posters have done and reported similar problem with motor mount fit. 3. hedders are so close fit to trans that the stock BW M11 dipstick tube will not fit anymore. I decided to use a TF trans so have worked around this issue. 4. starter motor clearance, either Autolite of gear reduction, is adequate. 5. cannot get a socket on half the bolts, necessitating the use of a box end wrench to install and tighten bolts. (whats new, every headder I ever used was this way :) On the PLUS side: 1. port shape is good. 2. high temp finish is good, although left side is not as shiny as right side. 3. flanges are very thick, checked great for flatness of sealing surface. 4. tube #8 is a 2 piece tube making in chassis removal and install easier. Summary: For the price, the fitment issues are inexcusable. Hooker Super comps and Heddman's were better but I do like the Dougs still. Walt |
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Walt L.
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