headers
 

I have a '69 C-10 with a stock 350 in it. It has headers on it now and I'm gonna replace them. Any suggestions?

Re: headers
 

Stock Manifolds, headers are a real pain.

Re: headers
 

Yea,,,I'd thought about that since the engine is stock

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Agreed.

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yep stock motor means stock manifolds no maintenance after install..

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im about to go back to ram horns. I just want clean and simple.

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Heedmen headers. Just put new ones on my 69 c10 with a 350. Number 5 plug takes a few minutes to get out. No clearance issues.

Re: headers
 

If you buy cheap $99 headers, then every bad thing you've heard about headers WILL happen to you. If you buy good headers, which are pricey, you'll have no more problems than you would with stock manifolds. A thick header flange is key. For a stock engine, stock manifolds are perfectly fine. If you decide on headers, get a set of tri-y's. They build power down low, where it will be useful on a daily driver or towing rig. The 4 into 1 headers make their power in the higher rpm range, not where you do most of your driving. Splurge for ceramic coated if your wallet can accommodate that. But again, stock manifolds are just fine on a stock engine. Even upgrading to the 2-1/2" Corvette manifolds won't do much for a stock engine, other than make it a pain in the @$$ to route your exhaust and mount your accessories.

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2 1/2" 'vette rams horns.

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2 1/2" rams , :smoke:

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I seen this pic a while back and this is what I did. Thanks Grumpy.

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Running a set of set of Summit brand headers. They have surface rust on them now. I will be cleaning them up. On a stock motor probably best to go stock exhaust. I have a pretty aggressive cam in my 350 so I went with a set of long tube headers.

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These fit good. Heedmen headers

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Thanks , This isn't a race engine by any means just a little thumper like we built back in the 70's , It's more about trying for a nice clean appearance and a little fun to drive truck that I don't have to wrench on every weekend when it's done . I can switch plugs easily and I'm not going to the track with it .

The hardest launches it will do are in front of my neighbors house Who just built a total pro Cuda show car with a super charger with 3 chrome Holleys on a 499 sticking 3.5' out of the hood it gets about 1.5 miles to the gallon , I haven't seen him turn it loose yet ? It sounds great pretty sure it's a pegleg , It's been running the show circut pretty much lately My neighbor (his father) on the other side has a nice '47 on a S10 frame he just finished another peg leg . So this little small block with a rock chrusher and 3.73 posi should get the neighbors going in a fun way , It's a good thing to have neighbors who are interested in the same thing as you are . No one around here complains about large compressors running all day or the occasional loud engines running late at night :lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgFW7cBqwCM

Re: headers
 

A decent set of headers will work and help with a little power. Headmans with the ball socket end work good for me. Never have to worry about a collector leak. Don't over tighten the headers when first installed. Heat em up them go back and torque down. Use a good aluminum gasket not paper.

Re: headers
 

Headers get a bad rap because most people overtighten the fasteners and warp the flanges, or use crappy gaskets that blow out. I've installed headers on dang near every V8 vehicle I've ever owned, and have not had the problems everyone associates with headers.

I will add this though... changing spark plugs on a SBC with headers could be a new Olympic Sport. Get's a little tight, but if you take your time and know a few tricks, it gets easier over time. :)

Gary

Re: headers
 

I had headman long tubes on my old truck, never had a problem. It’s been said many times, don’t go cheap when it comes to headers

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Doug's headers on 2 of junkets.
No plug clearance issues. No gasket issues.

Zero maintenance basically

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THIS! X2

Nothing wrong with stock manifolds either, but I have headers on every vehicle I own and have never had any problems. Either way you go, pay attention to plug wire routing and don't cheap out on crappy parts and cheap gaskets and you'll be fine.

Re: headers
 

I'm running summit brand ceramic headers with no problems. Look good. No leaks.
I did use fel pro gaskets though.
Mark

Re: headers
 

I was wondering when we would have our next discussion on Headers vs manifolds. Headers are an effective as well as harmless mod. Effective meaning if your engine is build up bad to the bone they are the final equation for getting that horsepower producing air through the pump. Harmless meaning, while a stock motor may not see much beneficial gain, they don't hurt a thing.

As far as looks go, I like the look of headers. They both look clean (except for the factory heat deflectors), but personally I see tubular headers as being the clean option. Also the performance option, for looks. And you are ready for anything else you decide to throw at your mill.

As far as reliability goes it's a draw in my eyes. Personally, I have had more issues with manifolds than headers. Run enough of these trucks stock long enough and you would know. And the problems that 'can' occur with headers I would rather deal with than the problems I've had with manifolds.

It really comes down to what you like. You can't go wrong either way as long as you don't buy cheap crap... not that I didn't get 15 reliable years from a set of cheap headers I had to have installed in Flagstaff on my '71 Custom Camper when one manifold blew out descending the North Rim of the canyon. You would think cast iron would last a lifetime, and some seem to be. But I have to wonder about anything new made in China with what seems to be their inferior metallurgy.

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Funny you say that Special-K, the one vehicle of mine that did have manifolds (they were on it when I got it) was my '65 Bel Air wagon. Drivers side manifold cracked, then I put headers on it!

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Your flanges look pretty beefy,what brand headers did you use?

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I never had issues with my cheapy Hedmans. Drove it daily for 16 years. Put gaskets on once. Never did anything with the collectors....I had donut gaskets in place.

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I just installed Summit Ceramic coated headers and the have real thick flanges and fit perfectly on my 69 C20 350. Also did single barrel to 4 barrel Holley 600 and dual plane intake. Totally woke it up. Its not a dog anymore. Lots of power. Power steering is next.