My '59 Apache

[Denee007]

Well, here's another one of my screwups! I ordered a set of headers off of Ebay. I took a chance~ they looked good on the site. They were 259.oo. Surely chinese. When they arrived,(one day), I took them out and was so happy, they were so nice! I threw the box away and left good feedback immediately(bad idea).
I went and installed the passenger side cause that's the side I was more worried about, it fit! I wrapped the bottom portion of the passenger side header to protect the starter, but didn't pay attention just how close one of the pipes were from the solenoid.
I Installed both, but when I put the truck up on the lift~ I noticed a problem~ the header collectors were in my opinion, horribly "off". The P side was up 1 3/4" and also back 1 3/4" putting it dead center of my transmission crossmember! I was thinking Manny, the exhaust guy would have let me have it if I had pursued these headers. And thinking the fateful day of when selling it, then explaining the messed up headers.

I called Gearhead/Hotrodparts or the vendor and tried explaining to them, but pictures are worth a thousand words that they couldn't see! The ad said for 66-72 chevy nova, and other cars, and the guy "Adam" said, oh these dont' fit your application~ I said it has nothing to do with the application, it's the headers are screwed up!(I wanted to say YOu Idiot! lol) Then I put Gary on the phone, still didn't get anywhere! I asked Adam, "so I"m stuck with these?" Yes~
I opened a case with Ebay/Paypal. A couple days later, the vendor aggreed to refund my money. the cost to ship the headers~ I won't even say what it cost! I had torn up the original box. As it stands, they had declined the box for yesterdays delivery(I have tracking, insurance,documentation,etc). I included in the package pictures with circles n arrows pointing at the problem.

Lesson: buy from a reputable company. I called Summit Racing of which I've bought a lot from them~ I explained to them my ordeal. The rep said no problems here~ we'll even help with shipping if they don't fit and help you get what you need! That was refreshing! I bought the Hedman headers they had for 345.oo. they should be here today I hope.

[mknittle]

I have always had good luck with Summit and Jegs. Summit opened a shop in Reno 100 miles from where i live so shipping is super fast.

[dubie]

It sucks that you had to go through such an ordeal to get the right parts.

I went to bolt my headers up to my engine last night and they fit no problem on the passenger side but the drivers side has the motor mount and steering box that are pretty tight together. So I might be cutting a tube off and re-routing it to make it fit

[Kim57]

That sucks on the headers.
Glad you got it worked out.
Kim

[Russell Ashley]

It's always a pita when an EBay deal doesn't work out. You are either stuck with something you don't want or get stuck with paying shipping charges to return it. You seldom go wrong when dealing with Summit.

[Clarance J]

Hello Earl here. I know that most of the people on this build site are and do have a budget, so when you pay 245 vs 359 you"re trying to do yourself a favor. The rub is when you try to correct it and the people that you,ve already given your money to won't work with you to correct the problem. I"ve ordered a bunch of parts from Summit Racing, some of which I had to send back, and I never had return problem. Always great to work with. Glad you were able to work it out that other company.

[Denee007]

Earl, you are so right! Thanks fellow truckers and enthusiasts! You know, if it weren't for my husband, I'd be buying all the best brand stuff, but he's always asking me, "what did you spend?" Never really an abrupt pointing the finger at me kind of question, but I feel guilty as Hell, so I buy cheap and it generally BITES ME IN THE BUTT! ; ) and generally in the long run pay twice as much, not including the HASSLE, of removing installing and wasted time! I know ya'll don't know what I mean! haha!

Oh well, Hey, got my new Hedman headers a couple hours ago, and just finished installing them! They're shorter, they have the ball type collector end(I like). I'll get pictures later, and then be able to explain more about them. They're much heavier than the chinese ones, solid feeling. The chinese tubes were tinny when you tap on them. Looks like I have a straight shot back, eh, maybe have to make a bend, but nothing like the last set of header by any means!
I'll be back, I want to snap some pics! I may just start the truck tomorrow!

[Clarance J]

Alright. I'll listen for them here. Just love the sound of open headers and your neighbors will slowly begin to like them too.

[Denee007]

I can't complain about the installation of the headers~ they're somewhat "easy" to install, say vs. my 67 Mustang! The only thing that would make it a pita is the Alan Groves AC and alt brackets, but still not that bad. I didn't pay attention as to the thickness of the metal, but just holding one header~ it's relatively heavy~ feels like it should last a while!

I didn't realize that the headers are not quite as long, or meaning going down further then making the bend. The pics were kind of misleading, but, the collectors come out like they should, nice and even. I may or may not have to remove a little more the the old nub of the crossmember, but looks like there's just enough clearance, but nothing that my cutting torch couldn't remedy

As far as I'm concerned, ,this part is over with, I can relax and maybe today, start the engine~ I just wish I had some old mufflers to quiet it down! Today I'll put the truck(I'll come up with a name for my truck someday) up on the lift, go through my suspension checking bolts/nuts for a possible drive down the street. Then figure out when to get it to the muffler shop without drawing too much attention~ hm or just do like I did on the mustang and hire a wrecker to get it there~ I don't know~



I Put this at the first pic cause I like the Hedman badge at least showing that I'm not running chinese.





I like the ball end on the collector~ the muffler guys can probably use this to point the collector piece a little more in the direction that they may need.





I was thinking that the exhaust leading from the collector may go over the transmission crossmember, maybe on the P side, but definitely not the drivers side due to the power booster. OH, I still need to put some sheathing over the wire leading to the electric fuel pump; better do that before the exhaust is put on.

[Chevette]

Never deal with the Iowa boys (Gearhead)! There are many complaints about Gearhead. Just Google them and you'll see. I bought parts from them several years ago and they were a disaster to deal with.

[Baldeagle SR]

Denee I think I would cut the rivets for the crossmember and remove it , it would look a lot better. I feel for you with the back pain. I have been living with it for about 30 years. Some days it't not too bad and some days it gets real bad. Your truck is looking great. Rich

[Kim57]

Looking good.
I agree with Rich on the old cross member.
Kim

[OrrieG]

Headers are looking nice. Drive it to the shop! first time I drove mine in 85 was with just the front drive line in to the drive line shop. Second was 25 miles to the muffler shop, I was doing great Nascar imitation on the freeway, especially at the under passes.

[Clarance J]

I have to go along with OrrieG. You wrote in my build that you liked the history. So I think that would be part of your history with your truck. It would only be about half hour drive (depending on how far the shop is) and how much fun could it be telling that story years from now.

[blue57]

I just had a similar problem withan overflow for my radiator. Bought it off eBay for $25. Well it looks like a $25 turd. Still had mill marks on the billet cap. Total piece of crap. So I bought the $90 billet specialties overflow. Total example of getting what you pay for.
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[Denee007]

HI! Gary and I went to Galveston for dinner yesterday, forgot it was Spring Break! It was crazy crowded! Only an hour wait to be seated!

Ok, I wrote something last night, then I hit a button and everything dissappeared! Try again now~
Ok, I'll take a look at the crossmemeber nubs~ but if it looks incredibly difficult, I may just trim it back with my cutting torch or not. I know it would look better down there, but my truck is not a show truck as it has problems in the body that will probably haunt me later on. Besides, it only goes to the Nifty50ees, and other car get togethers. Over the years I've been going, rarely does anyone ever really study the engine compartment~the passer byers just kind of glance in, start a little chat, and walk on. I on occasion, get down on my back, scoot under and look under vehicles and see what suspension or what's under that particular vehicle~ I don't do it all the time, but I've noticed some of the builders appreciate that cause a lot of work goes on underneath that isn't seen nor appreciated.

oh, yesterday I pulled a vacuum on my ac system, it's ready to charge. This morning I think we're going to a nearby swap meet. PBEGUY, or Larry from our site, is going~ he's pretty cool guy and fun to be around, plus another friend that I met at the Nifty50ees, AJ is going too! Car enthusiast folks are genuinley cool people~ hm, like me, and YOU!

Got to get ready~ I'll be back!
dne'

[Denee007]

Today I drove the truck out of the garage on its own power! I charged the ac and have cold air blowing too! The power steering is working too! I spent most of the day cleaning the garage, washed the floor, now my garage is nice once again! I really need to get to connecting the neutral safety switch as a priority before something bad happens! I did wash the truck; it was awefully dirty!

Maybe later this week I can get it over to the muffler shop! Tonight I'm ordering other stuff: speedometer cable, tail lights, misc,etc, I'm sure will a couple hundred bucks worth!

Since I can move the truck under its own power, I can work on the passenger side glass disassembly to prep for the one piece glass!
Exciting stuff going on! ; )



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[Stepside Jim]

Let me one of the first to congradulate you.

The first drive is such a mix of emotions from pure excitement to nerves, great job.

[Denee007]

Well Jim, so it shall be said; so it it shall be written! ; ) as you are the first to congratulate me. Can't wait to get back at it again!

Originally Posted by Stepside Jim

Let me one of the first to congradulate you.

The first drive is such a mix of emotions from pure excitement to nerves, great job.

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[wutnxt]

Don't You just love the first drive......wait.....did you spin the tires at all ?....I think it's not a offical first drive with out laying rubber.....lol..Well congrats on the truck moving under it's own power...it's always a good day when that happens

[SCHRUMGMC]

Congratulations on yours.. I am soon buying my Granfathers old Truck back Lol
How do they Drive and what not ? ..I am pretty excited and Do you mind if I upload some pics of it and you can give me some opinions on it


Are these trucks Grandfathered meaning, you dont have to have Seatbelts ?

[OrrieG]

Good for you... hard work is paying off.

[Denee007]

Well I didn't actually "drive" it, I fired it, put it in gear and drove it out of the garage about 20 feet. But it sure beat pushing it out, then back in the garage! So I can't actually say that I "drove" it: (. Besides, I don't think sitting on my creeper seat would have been safe to sit on while driving around the block; ). And that darned constable patrols our neighborhood, I don't know what he would do if I drove it down the street with open headers. I was thinking to ask him to escort me and my truck to the muffler shop, but that probably wouldn't go ever very well.
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[Kim57]

Congrats.
You're real close to having it the street now.
Kim

[Baldeagle SR]

Congrats I really like the color. Rich