help with header clearance!

[tattoo]

I just got a set of bassett's for my marlin with a 455. The end of the headers almost rest on the transom. Any suggestions?
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2499CIMG0019-1.JPG

[wsuwrhr]

Sawsall?
If your headers hit, you are pretty much out of luck. It's gets warm enough that it will bake the glass and destroy your gelcoat.
Is the drive coupler lined up where it should be?
Looks like you have a pretty high transom. You may have to go to a custom set if you want the over-transom deals.
Brian

[wsuwrhr]

Come again on the motor angle. From the picture the tunnel ram runs downhill pretty bad.
Is that my imagination?
Brian

[slotracer]

it does look like it is leaning towards the transom alot. like wsuwrhr says check your engine location.
pat(slotracer) :hammer2:

[emjay]

Hey Tattoo,
You got a couple closer-up pics you can show us?
As mentioned, that motor angle seems very steep.
Those look like Bassett "twisties".
Not sure, but won't Bassett "standard" headers sit
somewhat taller than twisties and might clear the transom? :idea:
Assuming Tattoo can exchange 'em.

[tattoo]

Ok, I raised up the rear of the motor a 1/4". If I go any higher the u-joints won't be lined up. Not the ends of the headers are a 1/2" off of it. Will that work?

[Oldsquirt]

Not the ends of the headers are a 1/2" off of it. Will that work?
Most likely that will burn the gelcoat in very short order.

[emjay]

Ok, I raised up the rear of the motor a 1/4". If I go any higher the u-joints won't be lined up. Not the ends of the headers are a 1/2" off of it. Will that work?
Also if there's any engine "torque" movement
or any hull "flex" under load, they'll smack the transom :cry:

[tattoo]

Here are a couple shots of it up close.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/showphoto.php?photo=71590&password=&sort=1&thecat= http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/showphoto.php?photo=71589&password=&sort=7&thecat=500

[tattoo]

http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/showphoto.php?photo=71589&password=&sort=7&thecat=500 http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2499CIMG0003_1.JPG

[tattoo]

http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2499CIMG0001_1.JPG

[wsuwrhr]

You can either sawzall some fiberglass off, or get an oxyacetelene torch and preburn the gelcoat to get an idea if you will like the look. :messedup:
Ain't gonna fly IMHO.
Brian
I didn't hear anything about the motor angle yet, is the front of the motor 4 inches higher than the back? Just don't look right.

[tattoo]

I raised the rear up 1/4". I was thinking of cutting the top of the transom and taking a 1/2 of a pice of aluminum pipe and making a nicthed area for it. kind of like they do on cars bumpers. Will the transom be strong enough?

[wsuwrhr]

I raised the rear up 1/4". I was thinking of cutting the top of the transom and taking a 1/2 of a pice of aluminum pipe and making a nicthed area for it. kind of like they do on cars bumpers. Will the transom be strong enough?
Ummmmm, I was only kidding.
Brian

[Aluminum Squirt]

I had some sagging headers and bent them up an inch or two. Not sure if you want to do that or go the custom route, but I bent them cold by hooking up a cherry picker under the collector and going nice and slow. Not sure if I'd do that to nice new headers. My headers were blued pretty bad, I run them dry, and the heat doesn't damage aluminum like it does glass/gelcoat. Good luck-Aluminum Squirt

[tattoo]

What about cutting a couple inches off them?

[tattoo]

Well, about 6"?

[tattoo]

I just measured it and if I cut 6" off the ends, I would be 2 1/2" from the transom.

[likwidsukr]

No way not gonna work. You can cut 9 " off and It still will burn the boat. You will have to go a different route! Not gonna work.

[tattoo]

What do you suggest?

[Oldsquirt]

What do you suggest?
Call Bassett or Rewarder and find out what it will cost to make up a custom set that has more height. You might also inquire about the height difference of the "straight" style versus the "twisties" you have. The headers in my avatar are the "straight" style. They are definitely higher.
Whatever you do, DO NOT start chopping the hull just to make those fit. Sell them and buy what will work.
By the way, could you post a side shot from further away that gives a better overall view of engine/hull angle?

[malcolm]

I went throught this last year with my Spectra. The rear deck was too high for a set of headers I bought from Ebay. They were old rusty Gils, so I cut the primaries and welded in 3 inch pieces to raise them up. It worked, sort of...... next time I'll go through transom. That would be my suggestion to you. :smile:

[MudPumper]

Twisty headers sit lower than the others.

[Crazy Squeeek]

Maybe a set of V-Drive headers will work. I'm not sure which way there angled, but there a little different being a V-Drive motor sits more on an angle then a jet. Call Bassett, maybe they will swap with you. SqK :cool:

[Duane HTP]

Trade with someone who has a set of the older style Bassett's with the flared ends. They are taller.

[tattoo]

I got the headers off e-bay used. Here is a shot before I raised the back of the motor 1/4".
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2499CIMG0012.JPG

[Rexone]

It appears from the pic you might have vdrive headers which have a lower collector angle. Hard to tell from the pic though. If the collectors are pretty much parallel to the header flanges they are v-drives. It they have some noticable angle they are jet headers. Jets are about 3-4" higher at the end of the collectors when installed on the engine, twists or standards same scenario, doesn't matter.
You can warm them up and put about a 6 foot bar in them and apply steady up pressure and probably bend the primary's to get 1 to 2 inches of increased height. Sounds hack I know. But I've seen Bassett align unmatched sets like this before and I've done it myself one time, no problem. Get em hot first though, easier to bend.
But if you have v-drives sell em and get jet models.

[wsuwrhr]

I got the headers off e-bay used. Here is a shot before I raised the back of the motor 1/4".
Looks like you got a nice set. They looked brand new. Too bad they don't fit that well though. Maybe someone from the boards will buy them from you.
Brian

[tattoo]

When you heated them up, did they discolor or did the chrome peel? Waht about a stainless steel plate on the top of the transom below each header?

[Zeug]

Tatoo,
PM me about the headers. I might have some that will work.
Kent

[tahitijet]

might want to contact this guy I think it's Nelson109? These headers look like they stick way up and may be just what you need to extra clearance. NOt sure if these are custom order or modified or whatever but worth a look
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1818FC3_May_2005_028.jpg

[tattoo]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. We heated them up and bent them. Here is a picture of what they look like now.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2499CIMG0055.JPG

[xs ultra]

By the looks of the picture ,it turn out very good for you!

[Devilman]

Looks good Tattoo! On that last pic, what kind of water dumps are those? After I got my transom redone, it's thicker and I'm having a hard time finding some that will work without using those big plastic melon-headed ones. Any info?? Those on your boat look like they'd be a perfect fit for mine... :cool:

[jpeaston]

tatoo,
what did you heat em with? how long? any blueing/blackening?

[Cole Man II]

You may have V-drive headers. The headers on my boat in the avatar are for a jet boat. You can see upward angle. Basset may have just sent you the wrong set.

[V1800J]

reply to rldanchak@yahoo.com
thanks, Randy

[tattoo]

Devilman,
Here is a linkt to where I got them.
fittings (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&tc=photo&item=4548132434&category=26455)
We hooked a strap around the end of the collecter and to a cherry picker. Then we heated them up with a torch till they were orange. Then we raised the cherry picker till they were high enough. They are discolored in the area we heated up, but I had no other choice. I got them used off e-bay, and I didn't want to go back to the harden logs.

[MudPumper]

Devilman,
Here is a linkt to where I got them.
fittings (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&tc=photo&item=4548132434&category=26455)
We hooked a strap around the end of the collecter and to a cherry picker. Then we heated them up with a torch till they were orange. Then we raised the cherry picker till they were high enough. They are discolored in the area we heated up, but I had no other choice. I got them used off e-bay, and I didn't want to go back to the harden logs.
Cool, now that you've got that taken care of send them out and get them ceramic coated and they will look bitchen.

[V1800J]

Tattoo
Since you have the tunnelram and OTT headers would you be willing to sell your engine cover. I could use it on my marlin.
Thanks, Randy

[Mr.&Mrs.Budlight]

Just so you guys know, If this ever comes up again. I started the motor up after i put two straps under the collectors hooked to a forklift, seperate forks, shut water off to headers and ran it with a light tug on straps, after Headers got hot, I pulled up harder. Fit perfect. Budlight

[xs ultra]

Budlight - that's sounds like a good way to bend headers!
we will need to all remenber that one