Will headers fit a 73 2wd 454 with factory AC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greenhorn male · 09-22-2005, 08:53 PM

I want to install headers on this C20 burb with 454 and still retain my factory AC. Has anyone done this before.

Also, has anyone here lowered a c20 burb before. I don't want anything too radical just a little different to differentiate it from a stock 4x4, maybe just 2-3 inches with wider tires. I still want to be able to tow with it. Any suggestions?

toroflow · 09-23-2005, 12:37 PM

yes, the AC brackets do not connect to any part of the exhaust manifolds or headers.

greenhorn male · 09-23-2005, 03:28 PM

Hmmm, I was going to post this in the 67-72 board for the AC in my 72

Somehow I got mixed up with my 73 burb. This is what happens when I try working on two non-daily drivers at the same time. Now I pop the hood open before driving either one just to make sure I'm not in the middle of a job (don't ask me why I started doing this

)
Thanks anyway, I think I'll look into headers as well for my burb just to get rid of all the air pump stuff. It looks like the one bracket on the head just above the drivers side exhaust manifold may come close to the header.

LiveWire64 · 10-20-2005, 11:21 AM

My 77 Sub has a 454 with headers. Also has factory AC. The bracket on the head just has to be trimmed a little. All else is a bolt-on. Brad

greenhorn male · 10-20-2005, 03:59 PM

That's good to know. What brand did you go with. How easy was it to install, there doesn't seem to be much clearance. Any input you could share, positive or negative, ie, performance, sound, heat level in engine compartment.

LiveWire64 · 10-20-2005, 05:54 PM

The headers were installed by a local shop around 1984. Not sure what brand they are. The primary tubes are 2" going into 3" collectors. These headers were had 100,000 miles on them & only had to replace 1 gasket on the engine block in all that time. The muffler shop added the pipe on the front of the header for the thermo aircleaner, & the air injection fittings.
As for fit, I was able to get the passenger side off pretty easy from underneth the truck. Only had to remove the starter & dipstick tube,& plugs. Haven't got the drivers side off yet, but looks like once the oil filter is off, it will come out from the bottom also.
You can see where the bracket was ground down for clearance in my pic.
As for sound, we had 2 1/2" exhaust, a ballance tube,turbo muffers, & exited in front of the rear tires. Had a nice rumble to it, but not real loud. Also, no fumes when the rear window was down with the exhaust exiting where we had it.
Never noticed any heat problems under the hood or in the interior.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Brad
Maybe someone can tell from the pic what brand they are.

09-22-2005, 08:53 PM	#1
greenhorn male Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay Area, Northern California Posts: 1,344	Will headers fit a 73 2wd 454 with factory AC I want to install headers on this C20 burb with 454 and still retain my factory AC. Has anyone done this before. Also, has anyone here lowered a c20 burb before. I don't want anything too radical just a little different to differentiate it from a stock 4x4, maybe just 2-3 inches with wider tires. I still want to be able to tow with it. Any suggestions? __________________ 03 Tahoe 72 GMC Super Custom 2500 Custom Camper, my reliable workhorse. Dual gauged tanks, dual battery trays.

09-23-2005, 12:37 PM	#2
toroflow Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 103	yes, the AC brackets do not connect to any part of the exhaust manifolds or headers. __________________ Ken '60 GMC 3/4T 4x4 '60 GMC Suburban 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4

09-23-2005, 03:28 PM	#3
greenhorn male Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay Area, Northern California Posts: 1,344	Hmmm, I was going to post this in the 67-72 board for the AC in my 72 Somehow I got mixed up with my 73 burb. This is what happens when I try working on two non-daily drivers at the same time. Now I pop the hood open before driving either one just to make sure I'm not in the middle of a job (don't ask me why I started doing this ) Thanks anyway, I think I'll look into headers as well for my burb just to get rid of all the air pump stuff. It looks like the one bracket on the head just above the drivers side exhaust manifold may come close to the header. __________________ 03 Tahoe 72 GMC Super Custom 2500 Custom Camper, my reliable workhorse. Dual gauged tanks, dual battery trays.

10-20-2005, 11:21 AM	#4
LiveWire64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: west coast Posts: 51	Re: Will headers fit a 73 2wd 454 with factory AC My 77 Sub has a 454 with headers. Also has factory AC. The bracket on the head just has to be trimmed a little. All else is a bolt-on. Brad __________________ 55 Chevy small window. 66 FJ40 LandCruiser. 64 Chevy Van,350/350 72 Chevy 10 Van,short wb,454 78 Chevy 10 Van,short wb,350 72 Chevy Malibu 350. 77 Chevy Suburban. Silverado 20 Trailering Special.454,turbo400.

10-20-2005, 03:59 PM	#5
greenhorn male Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay Area, Northern California Posts: 1,344	Re: Will headers fit a 73 2wd 454 with factory AC That's good to know. What brand did you go with. How easy was it to install, there doesn't seem to be much clearance. Any input you could share, positive or negative, ie, performance, sound, heat level in engine compartment. __________________ 03 Tahoe 72 GMC Super Custom 2500 Custom Camper, my reliable workhorse. Dual gauged tanks, dual battery trays.

10-20-2005, 05:54 PM	#6
LiveWire64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: west coast Posts: 51	Re: Will headers fit a 73 2wd 454 with factory AC The headers were installed by a local shop around 1984. Not sure what brand they are. The primary tubes are 2" going into 3" collectors. These headers were had 100,000 miles on them & only had to replace 1 gasket on the engine block in all that time. The muffler shop added the pipe on the front of the header for the thermo aircleaner, & the air injection fittings. As for fit, I was able to get the passenger side off pretty easy from underneth the truck. Only had to remove the starter & dipstick tube,& plugs. Haven't got the drivers side off yet, but looks like once the oil filter is off, it will come out from the bottom also. You can see where the bracket was ground down for clearance in my pic. As for sound, we had 2 1/2" exhaust, a ballance tube,turbo muffers, & exited in front of the rear tires. Had a nice rumble to it, but not real loud. Also, no fumes when the rear window was down with the exhaust exiting where we had it. Never noticed any heat problems under the hood or in the interior. Let me know if you have any other questions. Brad Maybe someone can tell from the pic what brand they are. __________________ 55 Chevy small window. 66 FJ40 LandCruiser. 64 Chevy Van,350/350 72 Chevy 10 Van,short wb,454 78 Chevy 10 Van,short wb,350 72 Chevy Malibu 350. 77 Chevy Suburban. Silverado 20 Trailering Special.454,turbo400. Last edited by LiveWire64; 10-20-2005 at 05:57 PM.

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