Headers and exhaust brackets. My fix.

I had the usual cracked header, cracked bracket drama. I managed to source (from a member here) a pair of Challenge race car headers. These have no pre cat so no engine damage worries anymore. Slightly louder and certainly not slower.
Now onto the brackets. I noticed the 360 does not have lower brackets or the same incidence of header failure. To my mind a quick fix for the 430 is simply remove the lower brackets. They are not required. The top bow spring bracket is quite flexible. Just removing the lower brackets will take a lot of stress off the headers.
I removed all the oem brackets and came up with my own (better) design. I didn't like Capristo brackets or the price. These are just a prototype and are simply tack welded together from scrap steel bits. They slide on a Tufnol heat resistant bush with a grease nipple fitted. They slide on a 1/2" bolt with 0.010" clearance. They start to slide almost immediately on start up and move approx 3/8" when hot. You can see in the last photos the grease line where they slide to. This all happens within a few minutes of idling and is very smooth and progressive. (on heating and cooling) I am hoping this will keep my challenge headers safe and sound.
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Yes, if I were to make more I might TIG weld them. Most exhausts are MIG welded though. I basically just tacked these together to see if it would work. Over 6 years now and no cracked brackets and my 2nd hand challenge headers are just fine.

 

Many have just removed the brackets and solely rely on the bow spring for support and that seems to work. Plus it does allow for some expansion. Yes I used that connection point.

 

They were just cobbled together, tack welded, workshop floor scrapings, as you can see from the photos. A production model would look much better but work just the same. I have too many other projects happening at the moment. Maybe one day, hopefully soon.