max wedge

[georgep3689]

Did they make an aftermarket aluminum/magnesium max wedge exhaust manifolds?

 

[super-bee_ski]

SO: For the `1963 Max Wedge program:
1963 Max Wedge Lightweight Package

Most of the components in the Max Wedge light weight package were stamped aluminum parts instead of the standard production stamped steel parts. These parts are listed in the Chrysler letter as:

1. Aluminum right and left front fenders.
2. Aluminum hood with air scoop.
3. Light weight front bumper and supports.
4. Aluminum front bumper dust shields.

For the 1964 Max Wedge Light weight Program:
1964 Max Wedge Lightweight Package

In 1964 the light weight was expanded to include more items of a light weight nature to further reduce front end weight on these cars. Below is the list of items as described in a Chrysler letter to Dodge dealers on October 3, 1963. This original letter is included in Darrell Davis's "Complete Guide to the 1964 Dodge Ramcharger and Hemi Charger Package." These parts are listed in the Chrysler letter as:

1. Aluminum hood with air scoop
2. Aluminum front fenders
3. Aluminum front bumper and bumper supports, decals to be affixed to front bumper warning against use of bumper jack
4. Aluminum radiator air shield
5. Aluminum radiator crossbar hood lock vertical support brace
6. No undercoating
7. "Spray-on deadener" will be deleted from entire car
8. Front and rear floor carpets will be without jute backing
9. Dash liners will be omitted
10. Cowl side panel silencer pads will be omitted

This light weight package was not available on the cars equipped with 11 to 1 compression ratio. It is also noted the standard rear axle gear ration with the lightweight package was 4.56 to 1 whereas the 11 to 1 cars came standard with 3.91 to 1 ratio. Although it was not mentioned as a lightweight feature in any of the documents I have found, the steel fan blade used on the clutch fan assembly was replaced with an aluminum bladed fan with a steel hub. I do not have any paperwork that says the Stage III used this aluminum fan before the A-864 Race Hemi engine but it has been suggested by other sources that the stage III was the first. Again if anyone has paperwork that sets the facts in stone I would love to see a copy.

NOTE: Copied from:
Greg Lane's Max Wedge and Race Hemi Pages

PONTIAC Below:
I know the Pontiac 421 Superduty's had them in 1962 OR 1963
VERY RARE TODAY!

Don't know about the Mopar

If you have a set of these Pontiac Superduty aluminum 'factory" headers , and you sell them, you CAN retire!
Yeah, THAT kind of RARE...

 

[moparsteve636]

There was a pair posted on one of the mopar sites awhile back! I don't recall ever seeing or hearing of any produced by ma mopar! I think some one had more money than he knew what to do with! And had a pair cast in alum. The post had a couple of pics. so they looked legit! it might have been on e-bay! Would like to have a pair just to hang on the garage wall.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Yeah, I remember that pair but the research I have done today does not show a Factory Pair.
I remember some one saying they would have melted.
And I replied with the same pic of the Pontiac Aluminum headers...

Gee, Pontiac did some "Bad-A$$" stuff back then to battle Ma Mopar!
For sure with the Swiss Cheese Catalina's and the Tempests'

I remember reading some one refused $60K for the Pontiac ones...
Only a couple of pair made...