Headers Help

[dujobu]

Anyone have any recommendations for a slick looking pair of headers that will fit in a '71 Blazer with no lift and not require any modifications to anything on the truck? Trying to keep it simple here. Any advice is appreciated.

[4pilgrim4]

Several years ago I did an engine rebuild on a tired 350 in my trusty 78 4x4. The goal was to maximize low RPM torque for trailer towing. To achieve this one of things I did was to go with try-Y headers. I got mine from ''Stan's Headers" in Auburn, Washington. They fit up easily to the existing exhaust with only minor trimming of the down pipes. I have no way of knowing how much this contributed to the goal of max low RPM torque but am pleased with the overall result.

I also did the RV cam, dished pistons, got a deal on a Edelbrock sp-2p intake manifold and mated it to the smallest four barrel Edelbrock sells.

[Rufton]

I finally bit the bullet and installed 3/8" flange, stainless steel, ceramic coated headers in my car. Not wallet friendly but still work and look great after a few years. Thin flange and mild steel may leak and will rust. Stainless doesn't look new as long as ceramic coated. Ceramic coating can burn during high rpm break in or anytime headers allowed to get very hot (roughly 1200F). I ran mild steel exhaust w/ fiberglass wrap for a while and underhood temps were very nice. The wrap will accelerate header embrittlement so I'd avoid on expensive headers. Not clear how long wrapped headers will last; I suppose EGT is a big factor. Ceramic coated headers radiate much more heat than wrapped.

[GhostTown]

I have a cheap set of thin flanged headers on my '72 right now. They are garbage and came with the truck. Only about a 1,000 miles on a new engine and they've already blown a seal at the collectors once, just from a small bounce over a parking lot speed bump.

I'm switching to Hedman Hedders (proper spelling) this fall. The elite series are 3/8 flanged, and have a unique coupler at the collectors that is fashioned like a ball joint. They can pivot up to 20 degrees so their easier to connect to your existing exhaust.

[v6wells]

hooker headers fit perfect for me

[DANTES JIMMY]

I am no means the authority here on this subject
but i think that they are all pretty much junk for a driver
but they sure sound good on a non stock motor

[jaros44sr]

Whats wrong with good old 2 1/2" cast iron exhaust manifolds....

[2003 silverado]

Well Jim some of the younger guys want to heard that noise (LOL) Iam with you on the stock cast Irons. On my 03 Silverado I have stock except mangaflow system and wife still hates it LOL

[turp mcspray]

I put some cheapo Summit headers on my blazer. It was my daily driver, year round, for several years. Never had any grief. My next set will be coated. With plain, you just about need to blast and paint them, every couple of years.

[paul mora]

I put Flo Tech ceramic coated on my Blazer about 8 years ago I have had one bolt get loosen blew a gasket easy fix sounds and looks good
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[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by 2003 silverado

Well Jim some of the younger guys want to heard that noise (LOL) Iam with you on the stock cast Irons. On my 03 Silverado I have stock except mangaflow system and wife still hates it LOL

Just seems like they are more of a pita, then they are worth. Back in the day, you would drive to the drag strip, drop your exhaust at the headers, changed to slicks, and went racing. If youre not doing that, why run headers? Your not going to see any noticeable gains on the street...jmho

[GhostTown]

My '65 Pontiac: manifolds. My 50' Chevy C3100: manifolds. My '72 Blazer that I just bought: had headers on it. *shrug*

That's why.

[4oldcars]

I have a set of hedmans form Jegs on my 1971 350. Easy to install. No leaks. Good price. If I can do it, anyone can. I'm runnin a lowered 2 wd and they do drag on speed bumps, but then there should be a law against speed bumps.

[dujobu]

Jim, I was thinking of going with headers Primarily because the old cast iron manifolds that were on the truck when I got her were so badly rotted I didn't want to get the same thing and have that happen again. I wanted to go with something more durable and longer lasting. Plus headers look way better the whole time! Am I correct in thinking headers (nice ones) will outlast manifolds?

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Just seems like they are more of a pita, then they are worth. Back in the day, you would drive to the drag strip, drop your exhaust at the headers, changed to slicks, and went racing. If youre not doing that, why run headers? Your not going to see any noticeable gains on the street...jmho

[2003 silverado]

How old were the Old exhaust manifolds (30 yrs) just my 2 cents

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by dujobu

Jim, I was thinking of going with headers Primarily because the old cast iron manifolds that were on the truck when I got her were so badly rotted I didn't want to get the same thing and have that happen again. I wanted to go with something more durable and longer lasting. Plus headers look way better the whole time! Am I correct in thinking headers (nice ones) will outlast manifolds?

Those old rusty manifolds lasted 45 years of extreme duty, and still probably still functioned well...for your money, i dont think you will find a header that will last as long.

200.00 versus 400.00+, i just dont think you will be using your engine in a 5000 rpm range, where the better flow would give you added horsepower....i could be wrong!

Im really not up with the new headers, but they are still just sheet metal, to a degree. Im sure the new coatings help with longevity, but will they outlast manifolds, i dont think so. A new set of 2 1/2" will serve you long after im gone Dont use gaskets, just some copper coat on the mating surfaces, and use the down pipe gasket with the sheet metal sleeve and brass nuts on your studs, and you should have a very good exhaust system. On top of that, if you get seamless stainless steel exhaust tubing, you will further extend the life of your exhaust system. Retorque the mounting bolts after several heat cycles, and use oem locking plates....JMHO


20130722_065558 by jarosaj, on Flickr

[dujobu]

So I went with manifolds. Thanks for the info guys. Jim did you have your's ceramic coated? If so, where did you have them done? My local powder coaters don't do ceramic.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by dujobu

So I went with manifolds. Thanks for the info guys. Jim did you have your's ceramic coated? If so, where did you have them done? My local powder coaters don't do ceramic.

Good choice....no, ive used a stainless steele coating for years on a dd, and it seems to hold up well. Bought it from eastwood.

There used to be a company in norristown, pa. that did jet hot coatings, but i dont know if they are still there

[dujobu]

How hot to manifolds get? I'm looking at ceramic coatings from Eastwood and they are rated for 650º. Is that adequate?

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Good choice....no, ive used a stainless steele coating for years on a dd, and it seems to hold up well. Bought it from eastwood.

There used to be a company in norristown, pa. that did jet hot coatings, but i dont know if they are still there

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by dujobu

How hot to manifolds get? I'm looking at ceramic coatings from Eastwood and they are rated for 650º. Is that adequate?

Not sure how hot manifolds get, but you could call eastwood. Good company, i knew kurt when he started out in a little shop in berwyn, pa.

[Dale99]

I know 650 for headers wont work.


I went with vette manifolds and let them get rusty looking

[dujobu]

Found a shop that does ceramic in Middletown, DE but they want $425 to coat the pair. I had no idea this stuff was this expensive. That's a much as a pair of nice ceramic coated headers. Sheesh!

[dujobu]

Yeah that's the next step. Thanks Jim.

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Not sure how hot manifolds get, but you could call eastwood. Good company, i knew kurt when he started out in a little shop in berwyn, pa.

[1meanchevy]

Here you go, put these on my 71 yesterday, 350 sbc, great fit, only had to move the starter to slide them through.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69236

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by dujobu

Found a shop that does ceramic in Middletown, DE but they want $425 to coat the pair. I had no idea this stuff was this expensive. That's a much as a pair of nice ceramic coated headers. Sheesh!

Didnt know the price either, but im sure it would look cool in the engine compartment, maybe after my truck is done ill come back and do that. In the meantime ill just keep the rust at bay with my cheap coating

Wonder if the ceramic keeps engine bay temps. down?