Exhaust installer is and idiot.

[Doug Larsson]

So I had Headman headers installed on my 1973 Dodge Charger SE with Flowmaster super 44's a while back at a reputable exhaust place.I installed a mini starter before hand and noticed the battery and solenoid connections were towards the engine block instead of like the oem starter.I didn't think much of it because it matched up just fine.When I picked up the car the installer was standing behind the manager and told me the starter on your car is the wrong one I said why is that you say he said I had a real hard time getting the headers in there.I said well that seems odd considering it's a lot smaller than the stock one.So 6 weeks go by and I'm working in the engine compartment and I look down at the starter and the ceramic coating was disclosed it wasn't black any more. I look farther down and that idiot smashed in the tube to get it to fit I was pissed.So today I went in and talked and showed the same manger what he did and he said that's not right so they will discuss it with the higher ups on how they want to fix this problem.
The reason I went with the mini starter in the first place was of the issues in the past with full size starters 33 years ago I had with these cars.So now I have a dilemma do I just get a new stock starter not a remanafactured or find a mini starter that has the battery and solenoid connector on the left hand side instead of the right hand side if your sitting in the car. I purchased a heat sheild to help with this issue but I haven't installed it yet because of the issue at hand. Any direction or help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Doug

 

[gtxno1]

I feel your pain the only way to do it right is to do it yourself but just think that guy walked around all day thinking he did some custom work and he could be on grease monkey

 

[BeatersRus]

wow...well you are right hes an idiot.
a competent shop would have stopped figured out what was going on and/or called you immediately Before bashing in your Brand new headers......

are you anywheres near ny?
i have a pile of those minis.
i really never even considered the placement of the wires ill have to look at that.
and i hope the shop buys you a new set of headers.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

So I had Headman headers installed at a reputable exhaust place.

View attachment 342714 View attachment 342715

So much for the "reputable" part, I guess.

 

[Dennis H]

I was able to stand in the shop while the job was done.

 

[Lazerwolf]

This reminds me of a youtube video I watched. Maybe it will give you a small piece of mind about the dented header. I would probably start with getting the other starter like your thinking. Here's the link.

 

[747mopar]

I'd be pissed!! I've seen the video and it's very interesting but there's something to be said about doing a job right and not having people look at your header and think "this guys an idiot". I'd bust their balls until they paid for it.

 

[Doug Larsson]

This reminds me of a youtube video I watched. Maybe it will give you a small piece of mind about the dented header. I would probably start with getting the other starter like your thinking. Here's the link.

Wow incredible video but it doesn't excuse the idiot of bashing in my $500.00 headers all he had to do is call me and we could of tried the stock starter.

 

[Doug Larsson]

wow...well you are right hes an idiot.
a competent shop would have stopped figured out what was going on and/or called you immediately Before bashing in your Brand new headers......

are you anywheres near ny?
i have a pile of those minis.
i really never even considered the placement of the wires ill have to look at that.
and i hope the shop buys you a new set of headers.

No I live in Washington State. But thank's any ways it's appreciated.

 

[kiwigtx]

This reminds me of a youtube video I watched. Maybe it will give you a small piece of mind about the dented header. I would probably start with getting the other starter like your thinking. Here's the link.

Looks like Robert Duvall and John Malkovich were running the Dyno that day...

 

[Jim's Maxie]

From the stories I've heard about mini starters and headers I would have done a little research before I did anything,usually things are not always as easy they seem !!

 

[furyus]

So I had Headman headers installed on my 1973 Dodge Charger SE with Flowmaster super 44's a while back at a reputable exhaust place.I installed a mini starter before hand and noticed the battery and solenoid connections were towards the engine block instead of like the oem starter.I didn't think much of it because it matched up just fine.When I picked up the car the installer was standing behind the manager and told me the starter on your car is the wrong one I said why is that you say he said I had a real hard time getting the headers in there.I said well that seems odd considering it's a lot smaller than the stock one.So 6 weeks go by and I'm working in the engine compartment and I look down at the starter and the ceramic coating was disclosed it wasn't black any more. I look farther down and that idiot smashed in the tube to get it to fit I was pissed.So today I went in and talked and showed the same manger what he did and he said that's not right so they will discuss it with the higher ups on how they want to fix this problem.
The reason I went with the mini starter in the first place was of the issues in the past with full size starters 33 years ago I had with these cars.So now I have a dilemma do I just get a new stock starter not a remanafactured or find a mini starter that has the battery and solenoid connector on the left hand side instead of the right hand side if your sitting in the car. I purchased a heat sheild to help with this issue but I haven't installed it yet because of the issue at hand. Any direction or help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Doug

View attachment 342714 View attachment 342715

looking at the picture, I don't see how a stock style starter would fit either. I have Hedmans, and the only way they will fit is with a mini starter. The installer should have stopped at the point where he had to bring out the hammer, and asked you what you wanted to do.

 

[catfish774]

Love the Gas Monkeeeee comment..........

 

[Doug Larsson]

looking at the picture, I don't see how a stock style starter would fit either. I have Hedmans, and the only way they will fit is with a mini starter. The installer should have stopped at the point where he had to bring out the hammer, and asked you what you wanted to do.

Do you have a 400 bb ?

 

[Doug Larsson]

From the stories I've heard about mini starters and headers I would have done a little research before I did anything,usually things are not always as easy they seem !!

I did do research 33 years worth of it I burned up 2 starters in 3 years back in the early 80's with the exact same car. My brother in law has restored 3 dodge chargers 1 challenger and just finished a 440 cuda he was the one that suggested the mini vs stock starter. I've been around the block a time or to with these cars.

 

[Cranky]

Crazy vid on that header test but it's not the first time that's been done. The dyno is great for comparing changes but what would the difference be (if any) on the track itself. Small dings and dents might even help speed up the slow boundary layer air flow? It was interesting hearing about the change in sound when they smashed them pretty good lol. I've played with straight pipe exhaust systems over the years and using crimped pipe does reduce the sound. On my Dakota there's a 3' length of pipe with 7 shallow crimps and it did make a change in sound but it wasn't very much. Imo, they aren't very deep plus not enough of them. Butt feel is the same but would like to check it on the track.....

 

[moparedtn]

I did do research 33 years worth of it I burned up 2 starters in 3 years back in the early 80's with the exact same car. My brother in law has restored 3 dodge chargers 1 challenger and just finished a 440 cuda he was the one that suggested the mini vs stock starter. I've been around the block a time or to with these cars.

I have Hedmans on mine as well ('68 GTX 440 4-speed). I wish I didn't (previous owner installed them). The fit is awful with these and spark plug access absolutely sucks.
I too don't see how a stock starter would even work with Hedmans. I have a much smaller 1995 Dakota V8 starter on mine and the headers hit on it the same place as on yours - it's as if Hedman refuses to acknowledge these things HAVE starters or something.
When either a)the starter gives up the ghost or b)the headers rot out, the Hedmans will be history and I'll never buy a replacement set from that company.

 

[Jim's Maxie]

So what did everyone do for 40 + years before the advent of the mini starter ?

 

[Doug Larsson]

What headers should I be looking at then if Headman isn't the answer ?

 

[MarPar]

So what did everyone do for 40 + years before the advent of the mini starter ?

Bash the **** out of the header...that's no excuse for denting a brand-new one without the owner's consent.