Header tether needed?

bykr · 01-16-2020, 02:30 PM

After doing a search on here and not really finding a definite answer I'm wondering if I need a tether on a collector extension that has a three bolted flange. The Collector is welded to all four header tubes(street style header).

Hacksaw · 01-16-2020, 03:32 PM

The way I read it in the rule book..... yes you need tethers. But I would put a tack weld on each of your 3 connecting nuts and call it a day.

Jim Caughlin · 01-16-2020, 03:42 PM

Walk through the staging lanes when SC and TD are running and you can see all of the headers out in the open. Tell me how may are adhering to the tether rule? Not saying you shouldn't have them but for the most part this rule is being ignored.

terry1 · 01-16-2020, 04:02 PM

I sent a couple of pictures of my set up, exactly the same as yours, to NHRA in Cali, three or four years ago.
They said no tethers required. I have a copy of the letter from NHRA, and my pictures, in my trailer at all times.
The only question I was ever asked was if my collectors are/were welded to the headers
which I answered yes.They didn't ask about extensions!They never even looked.
Terry K

MikeMoller · 01-17-2020, 12:14 AM

they ask in tech, welded or bolted. I tell then bolted. Three bolts connecting the collector to the header, then I have ab clamp on one tube and one on the collector. A single piece of flat steel attached at each end on the clamps with a nut. They have not looked at my setup once since the tether rule was put in place.

Ty Kwaiser · 01-17-2020, 12:04 PM

In Division 3, they will look.

bykr · 01-17-2020, 02:03 PM

Yeah, I think div. 7 might check as I had them sweat me at the Hot Rod 70th race at Pomona on an outlaw car I had with front exit exhaust. Said I should have tethers even after I explained that after both collector tabs broke all the headers tubes would have to fall off before the collector could come off.

Mike Pearson · 01-17-2020, 04:03 PM

I am pretty sure that anything not welded to the header needs to have tethers. They do check periodically in D2

Ed Wright · 01-17-2020, 04:40 PM

I realize I don’t know much (I’m very old), but once you have dialed in your primary lengths, and collectors, why not just put a one inch weld on each tube to secure the collectors?

Mike Semeniuk · 01-17-2020, 05:36 PM

Some headers that loop around the frame ( G body) need to be detached at the collector to install and remove headers. Also in some chassis- ease of header installation.

01-16-2020, 02:30 PM	#1
bykr Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 232 Likes: 274 Liked 167 Times in 81 Posts	Header tether needed? After doing a search on here and not really finding a definite answer I'm wondering if I need a tether on a collector extension that has a three bolted flange. The Collector is welded to all four header tubes(street style header). __________________ Tim Schmackpfeffer 762 SS

01-16-2020, 03:32 PM	#2
Hacksaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 838 Likes: 148 Liked 276 Times in 151 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? The way I read it in the rule book..... yes you need tethers. But I would put a tack weld on each of your 3 connecting nuts and call it a day.

01-16-2020, 03:42 PM	#3
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 635 Likes: 70 Liked 693 Times in 208 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? Walk through the staging lanes when SC and TD are running and you can see all of the headers out in the open. Tell me how may are adhering to the tether rule? Not saying you shouldn't have them but for the most part this rule is being ignored.

01-16-2020, 04:02 PM	#4
terry1 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Moncton, N.B. Posts: 276 Likes: 24 Liked 24 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? I sent a couple of pictures of my set up, exactly the same as yours, to NHRA in Cali, three or four years ago. They said no tethers required. I have a copy of the letter from NHRA, and my pictures, in my trailer at all times. The only question I was ever asked was if my collectors are/were welded to the headers which I answered yes.They didn't ask about extensions!They never even looked. Terry K

01-17-2020, 12:14 AM	#5
MikeMoller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 626 Likes: 27 Liked 242 Times in 72 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? they ask in tech, welded or bolted. I tell then bolted. Three bolts connecting the collector to the header, then I have ab clamp on one tube and one on the collector. A single piece of flat steel attached at each end on the clamps with a nut. They have not looked at my setup once since the tether rule was put in place. __________________ Mike Moller NHRA 203 Q-R-T/SA

01-17-2020, 12:04 PM	#6
Ty Kwaiser Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oakland, MI Posts: 70 Likes: 1 Liked 24 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? In Division 3, they will look.

01-17-2020, 02:03 PM	#7
bykr Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 232 Likes: 274 Liked 167 Times in 81 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? Yeah, I think div. 7 might check as I had them sweat me at the Hot Rod 70th race at Pomona on an outlaw car I had with front exit exhaust. Said I should have tethers even after I explained that after both collector tabs broke all the headers tubes would have to fall off before the collector could come off. __________________ Tim Schmackpfeffer 762 SS

01-17-2020, 04:03 PM	#8
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,319 Likes: 546 Liked 1,629 Times in 502 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? I am pretty sure that anything not welded to the header needs to have tethers. They do check periodically in D2 __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

01-17-2020, 04:40 PM	#9
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 389 Times in 168 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? I realize I don’t know much (I’m very old), but once you have dialed in your primary lengths, and collectors, why not just put a one inch weld on each tube to secure the collectors? __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

01-17-2020, 05:36 PM	#10
Mike Semeniuk Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 99 Likes: 19 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Header tether needed? Some headers that loop around the frame ( G body) need to be detached at the collector to install and remove headers. Also in some chassis- ease of header installation. __________________ Mike Semeniuk 632 GTMA