Re: Resurrecting a 1951 Henney-Packard Parts Car

Posted by Brian Wilson On 2020/6/17 1:19:09

Don

I had a similar problem with making replacement headers for one of my Repco V8 Formula 1 race engines. Too many curves too close together for mandrel bending, and much tighter tolerances to make them fit the collectors when bolted up.

They used to make these headers by sand bending, but nobody I could find alive would take it on. The answer came from an old race car constructor. Build it in sections using mandrel bends then weld it all together (very carefully). Given the size of the piece you are trying to make, that might be a practical solution, but unlikely the mandrel bending jockeys will take it on by themselves.

Does anybody know how Packard originally made these pipes? Most likely with conventional 3-way pipe benders. Sand bending was far too laborious and costly even then - except for race cars - but could produce much more accurate shapes.

If you can find a fabricator who will take it on, 3-way bending is almost certainly the most cost-effective solution.

What I describe above might be a good fallback if all else fails, but you'd need to find a pretty good welder to get a quality result. And be prepared to empty your pockets!

Cheers

Brian