Just got new headers and don't fit!!!

[BAD4X4]

I just got a set of Stan's headers for my 72 swb 4x4 4-speed I'm building and they don't fit!!! The clutch linkage won't clear the tubes, and the Z-bar rubs the tubes also. They told my buddy that owns the exhaust shop that got them for me, Oh they will fit like a glove! Just like the big block ones I got from them didn't! I have a 300hp crate motor so would like a nice haeder for it. Any helpfull hints or what are you running? Thanx Dana

[Mudder]

Moved to 4x4.

[Chevy1TonFun]

Do you have pictures?

[2tons of fun]

why would you buy from them again since they didnt fit the last time?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 2tons of fun

why would you buy from them again since they didnt fit the last time?

I`ll stick my neck out and hope to answer that for him.Stan`s is a higher level top quality header company.They are custom-built with higher quality control than the big name headers.Fitment is a small portion of quality control with materials used and skill of assembly being the major portion.
I believe this is the same old story all over again.Everything is geared for the automatic and when you ask if they it you always get a,"Why sure.We`ve sold hundreds that have all fit." And,you feel like you asked a silly question.We are out here asking what fits and it never ends.All a header needs to do to clear for a manual trans is on the driver side the rear tube needs to angle ever so slightly forward.but,somehow the whole header-making industry can`t seem to stash that little piece of info into their heads and we all suffer.Basically,i they did on the let what they have to do on the right to clear the starter they`d be fine.It`s like they want them to angle back and just can`t on the passenger side.I think the best design is the 3/4 length like a Chevelle header.Those will work in an automatic truck,too.But,since truck headers drop down and angle back at a 90 then why not make one size fits all?I`m amazed at all the listings that apply to what seems to be the application,yet no notes o secs or manual trans.
i have a pair of Headman Elites that I "hope" fit.I sold the truck I bought them for.But,they`ll go with a 4spd set-up I have and I hope they work.I can`t even remember why I feel they will.I could never get a good solid answer on what fits and on the ones that were supposed to,the header company doesn`t list them as such.i think the Elites just have that tilt forward that I know they need.

[BAD4X4]

I have always used Hooker super comp engine swap headers on my big block 4x4's. They fit great!!!! I am so pissed! I bet him $100.00 they wouldn't fit. I also have a brand new set of doug thorleys on the wall that don't fit. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! I guess I'll get through it. Thanx Dana

[Griffin]

I'm reaching way back in my memory for this but here goes nothing. Is your z-bar attached to the motor or bellhousing? Are you running a sm465? I currently have a small block 4x4 that i used the stock three speed z-bar that attached to the motor. But, i think i took a mount and z-bar off of a 76 chevy 1/2 ton that attaches way further back on the bellhousing to clear header probs on a big block i had. i actually have one of those set ups laying around. give some more details and maybe a picture and i might can help you out.

[Oilbrnr]

Hedman Elites 69830's are the only ones that I've read several threads on that will fit early SQUAREBODIES with SM465's. I don't know what the frame/Z-bar differences are between Squares and '67-72's. The Elites are ceramic coated, they do have a version that is just painted, but I don't know what the part number is. Hope this info helps.

[2tons of fun]

i have had 3 different sbc and 3 different bbc headers in the same tuck with the same 465 and the same motor mounts. only once have they not fit and that because they were chevelle 3/4 length headers

[BAD4X4]

I talked to Bruce at stans today, He is one of the owners and took pics and emailed them to him tonight. I guess I will wait and see what they say. Thanx for all your help and ideas.

[special-K]

I always heard the super comps work,but still not sure w/manual.The z-bar can be played with.The ball mounts in various spots according to application and the bracket on the rame can be moved.The very first headers I put on a`71 K/20 I ran into problems with clutch linkage.I cut relocated the arm(s) on the z-bar and it worked like a charm.BUT!! There should be headers made that you can bolt onto manual 4wds...period.and,header companies should have them listed as such to make life easier for "ALL".Some make a header that will fit,but they couldn`t tell you or they guess and just say,"yes".or what we pay for coated headers we shouldn`t need to be sliding them in and out trying to see if they`ll fit.I`d like to think some of my money went to R&D and not just a bunch of pipe bent and welded together.

[Burt4x4]

Back in the day when I had manual linkage to relocate my Zbar. I simply drilled a hole about 1" towards the firewall in the bracket that is mounted on the framerale. Then mounted the ball end to the new hole and cleared the header tube without causing any binding at the zbar. They were Hedmen Headers. Sorry no pics, my gallery is MIA at the moment.
Now I run Hydro, converted when I wedged in my 454

[dadsbrew]

Dana (BAD4X4 ) I am very sorry that they do not fit, like a said I have them on my truck but have since changed to an automatic and dont have pics. I wish I had an answer for why they dont fit because I have installed many of these with no issues. If I had fitment issues here in the shop I would have modified the header and will certainly watch for this in the future and make any changes needed to prevent this from happening in the future. Once again..send them back and I will give you a full refund.

Thanks
Bruce

[BAD4X4]

Well guy's like Bruce said they are going to take care of me and US. Stans is hopeing to make adjustment to the drivers header and put it in production I hope. The guys at Stans have been very helpfull. I hope for all the guys on the board we get it right. Because they are a great 4x4 header for a graet price. Thanx Dana

[AJs72K5]

Were these for a BBC or an SBC? I'm in the market for a good fitting set of BBC headers in a 4x4 K5 with an automatic. What are we talking price-wise?

EDIT: Reading back thru the thread, I'm guessing they're BBC. Were they full length or Tri-y's?

[BAD4X4]

They were sbc. The big blocks with an automatic fit great with small trim on pass side frame and they are tri-y's. I think sbc tri y's with nickel plateing around $480.00 and same in bbc around $550.00. Don't quote me, there website would be better or just calling them.

[special-K]

Dougs Tri-Ys work,from what I`ve seen.Good luck with Stan`s.I igure they`ll want to get this right.

[BAD4X4]

I have a set of dougs hanging on the wall a set of 73-87 headers that they claim fit a 4-speed 72 4x4. They don't!!! Thanx guys, I will keep you guys updated. I'm sure we will get it worked out. Thanx Dana

[Livrat]

Originally Posted by special-K

Dougs Tri-Ys work,from what I`ve seen.Good luck with Stan`s.I igure they`ll want to get this right.

Stan's Tri-Y headers are actually direct copies of Doug Thorley's...(Doug Thorley was the original designer of the Tri-Y header).
I have a set of 18 year old Stan's Big block Tri-Y's on the wifes Blazer and a set of 25 year old Doug Thorleys on my 68 GMC BB 4X4.. (Both Automatics) both header are the exact same design, shape etc with exception of the Stans set has 2 inch primarys and the Thorleys are 1 7/8

[dadsbrew]

Actually no they are not. The designs are similar but I guarantee our headers (Stans Headers) will not fit in any Doug Thorley header fixtures. I designed and custom built the 154Y big block chevy truck headers that are our production headers in 1988, we did not have a production set of big block headers for trucks until then. Stan and Doug Thorley are good friends and have been building headers about the same length of time but both have their own designs. Our 154Y headers have been modified over the years to fit several different models. Doug Thorley was not the original designer of the Tri-Y header and neither was Stan. Cyclone Headers was building Tri-Y designs before both of them. If you E-Mail Stan he will be glad to give you the whole story. Anyway I have put together a new header for Dana and shipped it to him today. Hopefully this will take care of his clutch linkage issue.

[special-K]

Hey Dadsbrew,that`s great info.I remember first seeing the Cyclones and scratching my head wondering why they were going out of their way to come up with something so different.After giving some thought,it all made sense.I know the vehicle makers make minor changes that make it necessary for header companies to keep up.A different header for every possible design would be a custom header made or that vehicle.These headers are far from "one size fits all",yet if an application can cross over it sure makes sense.It just seems the manual applications have been made an almost lost listing.I know the world has all but gone automatic and has been that way a long time.But,these days with all the interest in building older vehicles up,nostalgia,and with the 4wd world opening their eyes to manual transmissions,I think headers designs specifically for manual would be a good move.At least for the SBC in a 67-87 10-30 K-model.the design is consistant enough with plenty of room and it`s not like there`s only a couple out there.When I look at headers that won`t work with a clutch I can`t see why a slight change wouldn`t work for both trans options.We see the quest for a header that works with manual trans all the time here.It`s a very common dilema.

[dadsbrew]

Special K, It is a lot of work to keep up with demand on whats hot and whats not...lol I can tell you that headers for a sbc in a 73-87 always fit..without fail on any transmission, Automatic (Any) or clutch (3 spd, 4spd, 5 spd) The 67-72 models....not so cut and dried they are a lot tighter fit. but I am working on it. If I thought there was a problem before I would have been all over it but Dana is the first to tell me he had issues and that was enough for me, in todays economy we can't afford to leave anyone out if we can help it as long as it doesnt waste our time and money. These year trucks are still on the hot list and I felt it necessary to fix this issue.
Thanks
Bruce

[special-K]

One way to keep up on which headers are hot is to know if the vehicle has run for a couple minutes or more

That`s really great to hear.I know the 67-72 4wds are a good bit shorter up front,not alot of room for pipes at all.

[BAD4X4]

Good news today guys! Got the new header from Bruce at Stans and it fit great! Got it boxed up and ready to ship back to them to get finished welded and plated. Thanx again Bruce.

[Livrat]

Originally Posted by dadsbrew

Actually no they are not. The designs are similar but I guarantee our headers (Stans Headers) will not fit in any Doug Thorley header fixtures. I designed and custom built the 154Y big block chevy truck headers that are our production headers in 1988, we did not have a production set of big block headers for trucks until then. Stan and Doug Thorley are good friends and have been building headers about the same length of time but both have their own designs. Our 154Y headers have been modified over the years to fit several different models. Doug Thorley was not the original designer of the Tri-Y header and neither was Stan. Cyclone Headers was building Tri-Y designs before both of them. If you E-Mail Stan he will be glad to give you the whole story. Anyway I have put together a new header for Dana and shipped it to him today. Hopefully this will take care of his clutch linkage issue.

Bruce.. Guess I was totally wrong.. Oops....Thank you for setting me straight from what I have thought to have known about Stan's, Doug's and the original designer of the Tri-Y's. (Gotta love this board, I learn something new almost every day).

(I will confess I never have had my two sets sitting side by side for comparison but from laying under the trucks they do look almost the same with the exception of tube diameter).

Thanks again for setting me straight, being a stand up guy/business and taking care of Dana, When I am in the market for another new set of headers (especially Tri-Y's) you have my business.
Mark