Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

does any one know how makes or can make a cool looking header that will fit a packard 327 straight 8 with a stock 4 bbl intake that is in a 1953 packard clipper deluxes 2 dr. that will bolt right in or may need a little mod. work done to make it work. thanks trotter

To my knowledge, there is nothing commercially available. There are header builders that could likely do one, but they are very, very expensive. This could prove to be a tall order.

Typically, people put the dual carb, or four-barrel intakes on with the stock exhaust.

Jim

The person most knowledgeable on such mods has unfortunately chosen to leave the forum but I have read that small block Chevrolet headers will almost perfectly match up to the later inline 8 engines except for one or two exhaust ports which needs to be moved slightly. I have often thought of trying a see if I could adapt a set of those shorty block hugger headers and making a neat dual exhaust system for my Super Clipper along with a two carb intake such as made by Edmunds but I sometimes do a lot of dreaming

On your Super Clipper? Dave say its not so.

You know, if they are that close, I wonder is stock SBC ram horn exhaust manifolds could be used. That would be different.

Jim

I understand that porting work on the intakes and exhausts to smooth them out and "match" them to the manifolds picks up an easy 20HP. Would be even better if coupled with some free flowing headers. Or failing that, just a larger engine pipe, free flowing muffler and tailpipe to provide a less restrictive exhaust system.

Quote:

Jim, It's not so..................(there I said it)
I imagine that the old SBC ramshorn manifolds would not be suitable as they are made of cast iron but possibly a set of the metal pipe shorty block huggers could be bent to fit.

will if i can find somebody i think it will look real cool. i may try my local muffler shop i don't know. joe

p.s. think god for spell check

It is possible to make headers at home.

You need a header flange first. If one is not available use an exhaust gasket to make a pattern and have one cut out by a local welding shop using their plasma cutter.

Buy some ready made bends and pipes and start cutting and tack welding together.

When it is all tack welded take it off the car and finish all the welds.

There you have a custom made header. Lots of work but not much money and sometimes it's the only way to get what you need.

will you have a good point there. it will save me a lot of money. and you make it sound easy. i may try that.

joe