Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bmartin9122 · 07-05-2006, 05:49 PM

The old, ceramic headers are finally needing replacement. I have a 350ci with straight exhaust (no cats). I already have an estimate from a local shop. They want $500 for ceramic headers (don't know the brand) and installation. This sounds incredibly cheap.

Am I getting junk? Should I just go back to a manifold/downpipe set-up? The shop says I will only lose about 5% of my power, but gain alot of reliability. They say manifold bolts won't come loose like they do on headers.

Opinions?

Jim85IROC · 07-06-2006, 08:23 AM

You could get locking bolts and copper gaskets for the headers if you don't want to snug them periodically.

bmartin9122 · 07-06-2006, 09:17 AM

Thank you for the response!

Is that a common practice?

For the price the shop is quoting me, am I better off with a standard manifold set-up? I am not looking for big power as much as I want the truck to be relatively troublefree. I understand mechanics, but I am no wrench.

Slonaker · 07-06-2006, 09:32 AM

If your goal is purely reliability, you might consider manifolds over headers. It isn't the popular setup here on the board, but manifolds require no maintenance. My engine is stock, and I run manifolds for this reason.

Slonaker

bmartin9122 · 07-06-2006, 10:07 AM

Sounds good. This old truck has enough problems without me adding fuel to the fire. Headers sound nice, and I know they add power, but I intend to use this truck. I don't want to have to check the oil, P/S, brakes, coolant, washer, AND tighten the headers. LOL! I guess I am lazy, but I really just want the truck to run well without constant babying.

Are there any manifolds you guys would recommend, or just get the OEM? The shop had suggested trying to find some junk yard parts. Also, the engine is bored over 0.030" (not my doing) and has a new 600cfm Edelbrock carb, so would the choice in manifolds change for these reasons?

Slonaker · 07-06-2006, 12:44 PM

The popular factory manifolds are rams horns, like what came on older corvettes. They were installed on a lot of vehicles, but the corvette ones (2.5" I think) are the ones everyone wants.

Some folks have reported having to notch their motor mounts to get them to clear, but N2TRUX didn't have any problems when he installed them on his truck.

I have looked at some of the non-corvette ones lately at swap meets. The seem to go for about $50 per pair, and usually need new studs.

The easiest thing to do would be to just get a set off a similar pickup in a junkyard. That way you know they will fit.

Slonaker

bmartin9122 · 07-06-2006, 01:03 PM

I assume you are talking about these:

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...406&section=ep

I talked to the shop manager, and he said you can't even find them anymore. Apparently they are quite rare, and nobody has decided to make a knock-off version. He said I would pay quite a premium to get these. Oh well.

Slonaker · 07-06-2006, 03:02 PM

Those are the corvette ones, and they are being reproduced. You can even get them without the mount for the alternator or PS pump or whatever it is.

http://www.classicchevy.com/product....JQRJ9158H3D1S0

The easiest solution, as I said before, is just to go back to stock.

Slonaker

bmartin9122 · 07-06-2006, 04:09 PM

I was looking at this site. They appear to have good products. Might you suggest someone else?

http://www.autopn.com/autoparts/look...72&AUTOPN_ID=6

Slonaker · 07-06-2006, 06:03 PM

I was thinking junkyard or swapmeet if that tells you anything about my budget.

Most people want to replace manifolds with headers, so I would expect it to be pretty easy to find a decent used pair.

Slonaker

Jim85IROC · 07-10-2006, 01:20 PM

I really don't see this reliability issue with headers that people keep mentioning. I've had them on my Camaro for years, and other than a periodic re-tightening, I've never had a problem. I put them on the car sometime around 99, and since then, I've probably retightened a couple bolts 3 times, each time it took me longer to get the wrench.

07-05-2006, 05:49 PM	#1
bmartin9122 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 169	Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? The old, ceramic headers are finally needing replacement. I have a 350ci with straight exhaust (no cats). I already have an estimate from a local shop. They want $500 for ceramic headers (don't know the brand) and installation. This sounds incredibly cheap. Am I getting junk? Should I just go back to a manifold/downpipe set-up? The shop says I will only lose about 5% of my power, but gain alot of reliability. They say manifold bolts won't come loose like they do on headers. Opinions? __________________ 79 GMC Sierra Grande K15 --PPG paint code 62608 Sunburst Orange Metallic (WA802K) --Gentex auto-dimming rearview mirror model K31 --Carriage Works billet grille model 40071 --Go Industries 2.5" tubular stainless headache rack --Sylvania Silverstar sealed headlights model H6024ST --Texas Saddlebags center console model 101 --Brown's Welding class IV V-5 pipe bumper --Ramsey RE8000 winch --33" tires

07-06-2006, 08:23 AM	#2
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? You could get locking bolts and copper gaskets for the headers if you don't want to snug them periodically. __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page

07-06-2006, 09:17 AM	#3
bmartin9122 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 169	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? Thank you for the response! Is that a common practice? For the price the shop is quoting me, am I better off with a standard manifold set-up? I am not looking for big power as much as I want the truck to be relatively troublefree. I understand mechanics, but I am no wrench. __________________ 79 GMC Sierra Grande K15 --PPG paint code 62608 Sunburst Orange Metallic (WA802K) --Gentex auto-dimming rearview mirror model K31 --Carriage Works billet grille model 40071 --Go Industries 2.5" tubular stainless headache rack --Sylvania Silverstar sealed headlights model H6024ST --Texas Saddlebags center console model 101 --Brown's Welding class IV V-5 pipe bumper --Ramsey RE8000 winch --33" tires Last edited by bmartin9122; 07-06-2006 at 09:17 AM.

07-06-2006, 09:32 AM	#4
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? If your goal is purely reliability, you might consider manifolds over headers. It isn't the popular setup here on the board, but manifolds require no maintenance. My engine is stock, and I run manifolds for this reason. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

07-06-2006, 10:07 AM	#5
bmartin9122 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 169	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? Sounds good. This old truck has enough problems without me adding fuel to the fire. Headers sound nice, and I know they add power, but I intend to use this truck. I don't want to have to check the oil, P/S, brakes, coolant, washer, AND tighten the headers. LOL! I guess I am lazy, but I really just want the truck to run well without constant babying. Are there any manifolds you guys would recommend, or just get the OEM? The shop had suggested trying to find some junk yard parts. Also, the engine is bored over 0.030" (not my doing) and has a new 600cfm Edelbrock carb, so would the choice in manifolds change for these reasons? __________________ 79 GMC Sierra Grande K15 --PPG paint code 62608 Sunburst Orange Metallic (WA802K) --Gentex auto-dimming rearview mirror model K31 --Carriage Works billet grille model 40071 --Go Industries 2.5" tubular stainless headache rack --Sylvania Silverstar sealed headlights model H6024ST --Texas Saddlebags center console model 101 --Brown's Welding class IV V-5 pipe bumper --Ramsey RE8000 winch --33" tires

07-06-2006, 12:44 PM	#6
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? The popular factory manifolds are rams horns, like what came on older corvettes. They were installed on a lot of vehicles, but the corvette ones (2.5" I think) are the ones everyone wants. Some folks have reported having to notch their motor mounts to get them to clear, but N2TRUX didn't have any problems when he installed them on his truck. I have looked at some of the non-corvette ones lately at swap meets. The seem to go for about $50 per pair, and usually need new studs. The easiest thing to do would be to just get a set off a similar pickup in a junkyard. That way you know they will fit. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

07-06-2006, 01:03 PM	#7
bmartin9122 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 169	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? I assume you are talking about these: http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...406&section=ep I talked to the shop manager, and he said you can't even find them anymore. Apparently they are quite rare, and nobody has decided to make a knock-off version. He said I would pay quite a premium to get these. Oh well. __________________ 79 GMC Sierra Grande K15 --PPG paint code 62608 Sunburst Orange Metallic (WA802K) --Gentex auto-dimming rearview mirror model K31 --Carriage Works billet grille model 40071 --Go Industries 2.5" tubular stainless headache rack --Sylvania Silverstar sealed headlights model H6024ST --Texas Saddlebags center console model 101 --Brown's Welding class IV V-5 pipe bumper --Ramsey RE8000 winch --33" tires

07-06-2006, 03:02 PM	#8
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? Those are the corvette ones, and they are being reproduced. You can even get them without the mount for the alternator or PS pump or whatever it is. http://www.classicchevy.com/product....JQRJ9158H3D1S0 The easiest solution, as I said before, is just to go back to stock. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

07-06-2006, 04:09 PM	#9
bmartin9122 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 169	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? I was looking at this site. They appear to have good products. Might you suggest someone else? http://www.autopn.com/autoparts/look...72&AUTOPN_ID=6 __________________ 79 GMC Sierra Grande K15 --PPG paint code 62608 Sunburst Orange Metallic (WA802K) --Gentex auto-dimming rearview mirror model K31 --Carriage Works billet grille model 40071 --Go Industries 2.5" tubular stainless headache rack --Sylvania Silverstar sealed headlights model H6024ST --Texas Saddlebags center console model 101 --Brown's Welding class IV V-5 pipe bumper --Ramsey RE8000 winch --33" tires

07-06-2006, 06:03 PM	#10
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? I was thinking junkyard or swapmeet if that tells you anything about my budget. Most people want to replace manifolds with headers, so I would expect it to be pretty easy to find a decent used pair. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

07-10-2006, 01:20 PM	#11
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	Re: Headers for a '79 - What is the best value? I really don't see this reliability issue with headers that people keep mentioning. I've had them on my Camaro for years, and other than a periodic re-tightening, I've never had a problem. I put them on the car sometime around 99, and since then, I've probably retightened a couple bolts 3 times, each time it took me longer to get the wrench. __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page



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