Hooker 68-72 big block Chevelle headers fit my 69 C10

[68 TT]

I just put a set of 2" tube Hooker 2455HKR Competition series big block Chevelle headers I had sitting around on my 69 stepside.

They fit great but will require a modified transmission crossmember for exhaust routing since they are tucked up about 3" higher than truck headers. Great added ground clearance for lowered trucks.

The driver side clam shell motor mount housing (if you are running that style) will need a small notch to let them bolt up.

I was surprised they fit at all let alone so well since I had earlier tried a set of Camaro headers that didn't even come close to fitting.

In the pics the passenger side collector will come up a bit as it is hitting the T-350 crossmember flange and the driver side will come down a bit with the required mods to the clam shell.

I didn't make the modifications to mine to make them bolt up as the engine is coming out but they would work great with good floor pan, frame and suspension clearance all around.

As long as you have an auto trans or a hydraulic clutch no other mods would be needed to use them. The rear tube is right in the middle of where the clutch Z-bar would go. There is plenty of room to re-route that tube to make it work if you so desire.

[Captainfab]

Thanks for posting this info along with pics. It is always good to have fitment info on non standard truck parts. I have heard long ago that Chevelle big block headers will work on the trucks, but I have never had a chance to try the fitment.

Those issues are relatively minor things to deal with to be able to have much better ground clearance.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

...Those issues are relatively minor things to deal with to be able to have much better ground clearance.

I hope the info can help someone else out.

You could always build a custom crossmember to work with them in your spare time.

Still working 6+ days a week John?

[cdowns]

i'm lookin at a set brand new that is on the daytona craigs

[Captainfab]

Yeah, 70-80 hrs @ 7 days a week.

Are you still staying busy?

Originally Posted by 68 TT

I hope the info can help someone else out.

You could always build a custom crossmember to work with them in your spare time.

Still working 6+ days a week John?

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Yeah, 70-80 hrs @ 7 days a week.

Are you still staying busy?

Yikes. 10-12 hours a day every day gets old quick. I don't miss working that many hours at all. You need some more help so you can get a break and have some time for yourself.

I have way too many projects to do as usual. Trying to stay on task and get something done this summer.

[J kippin]

just a quick thought.. you are using 73 up frame mounts does this change the engine height in the chassis and what if you are useing raised port heads? I wonder how much this will effect the trans cross member.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by J kippin

just a quick thought.. you are using 73 up frame mounts does this change the engine height in the chassis and what if you are useing raised port heads? I wonder how much this will effect the trans cross member.

I don't think they move the engine up at all. If they do it is not much.
If I had the engine in there still I could have swapped out the mounts to see. Any change of height wouldn't alter where the collectors exit though.

Raised port heads would help clearance at the motor mount stand.
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[BossHogg69]

Just wanted to add some more info to this thread... I tried a set of Hedman Elite headers for 68-72 Chevelles (#68198) on my '69 stepside as well. They pretty much fit just like 68 TT's hooker headers did, but mine are 1.75" tubes. I'm using the '72 BB motor mounts and also had contact on the clamshell bracket. I already had purchased a set of Hedman Elite headers for 67-up trucks (#69820), but the hung down WAY low. Below is a pic of the truck headers on the drivers side and the chevelle headers on the pass side. BIG difference in ground clearance, since my truck is lowered. The truck headers hung down even with the bottom of the lower a-arm... The chevelle headers are dead even with the bottom of the frame rail.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

Just wanted to add some more info to this thread... I tried a set of Hedman Elite headers for 68-72 Chevelles (#68198) on my '69 stepside as well. They pretty much fit just like 68 TT's hooker headers did, but mine are 1.75" tubes. I'm using the '72 BB motor mounts and also had contact on the clamshell bracket. I already had purchased a set of Hedman Elite headers for 67-up trucks (#69820), but the hung down WAY low. Below is a pic of the truck headers on the drivers side and the chevelle headers on the pass side. BIG difference in ground clearance, since my truck is lowered. The truck headers hung down even with the bottom of the lower a-arm... The chevelle headers are dead even with the bottom of the frame rail.

Nice pic to add to the thread. Great side by side view for comparison.

[nw68]

does anyone know of headers that tuck up next to the frame rails?

[hdff]

i know this thread is a couple of years old but i have a question. i assume the frames are the same on a 69 and 71 so i assume these headers would fit a 71 with a 402 nicely also?

[Captainfab]

Yes your '72 frame is the same as a '69. In fact the frames from '63-'72 are basically the same. However the '68-'72's have been clearanced for the big block exhaust manifolds.

Originally Posted by hdff

i know this thread is a couple of years old but i have a question. i assume the frames are the same on a 69 and 71 so i assume these headers would fit a 71 with a 402 nicely also?

[True 67]

Great information guys..

True

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Yes your '72 frame is the same as a '69. In fact the frames from '63-'72 are basically the same. However the '68-'72's have been clearanced for the big block exhaust manifolds.

When I put them into my 67 C10 I had to trim about a 1/4" or so off of the width of the top of the frame rail for clearance. I figured since the factory did this to the later ones that it wouldn't be a bad thing to do. Plenty of meat left on the top flange to keep things strong.

[Swiftshifter68]

Great thread with good pic's!

I'm literally doing this same header-switch on a customer's 496cid GMC, so the larger 2" primary size is what I was after (Brodix topend + mild Comp roller valvetrain). From '67-72 2" "truck" headers to these 2" "Chevelle" headers is a savings of ~$200, the added ground clearance is a bonus. Much-appreciated on the insight! Thank you!

[vidman]

Some pics of the same headers on my Brodix 504. Great fit

[BossHogg69]

Vidman - my exhaust system looks almost exactly like yours - H pipe, black ceramic and all... Same Chevelle headers from post #9 above.

[scoots71]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

Vidman - my exhaust system looks almost exactly like yours - H pipe, black ceramic and all... Same Chevelle headers from post #9 above.

Are you guys using the stock auto shift linkage
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[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by scoots71

Are you guys using the stock auto shift linkage
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Welcome to the forum Scoots! Thats a VERY good question because I have a (brand new) set of those Chevelle/El Camino BBC headers hanging on the wall because they would not clear the column shift TB350 linkage! Taking them to a swap meet "Greaserama" in Kansas City, this weekend...PS. $200 plus shipping, they have 45 degree vacuum/O2 sensor bungs welded to the collectors and 2 coats of VHT Flame Proof Ceramic paint in Aluminum if someone here wants them...

[scoots71]

Originally Posted by Ironangel

Welcome to the forum Scoots! Thats a VERY good question because I have a (brand new) set of those Chevelle/El Camino BBC headers hanging on the wall because they would not clear the column shift TB350/400 linkage! Taking them to a swap meet "Greaserama" in Kansas City, this weekend...PS. $200 plus shipping, they have 45 degree vacuum/O2 sensor bungs welded to the collectors and 2 coats of VHT Flame Proof Ceramic paint in Aluminum if someone here wants them...

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[scoots71]

Thank you for the heads up where was the issue with the linkage
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[Ironangel]

Being narrower and higher, they tucked up right underneath the horizontal pin/shaft that bolts to the frame. That shaft is what holds the part that connects the arm from the column to the part that bolts to the transmission shifter shaft. It wouldn't let the shifter rotate through the gear pattern. This may or may not be a problem with the floor shifter used in Chevelles and Caminos...? I was in a hurry to make a local car show and needed headers fast so I opted for a set of Hedman 69110's...They're long tube and hang down, but not as far as the Hookers and the Hedmans line right up with the openings in the cross member. If you have Amazon "Prime" then you can have them on your door step in 48 hours..."Win,win!" Amazon.com: Hedman 69110 Chevy Pu 2 & 4Wd Big...

[scoots71]

Originally Posted by Ironangel

Being narrower and higher, they tucked up right underneath the horizontal pin/shaft that bolts to the frame. That shaft is what holds the part that connects the arm from the column to the part that bolts to the transmission shifter shaft. It wouldn't let the shifter rotate through the gear pattern. This may or may not be a problem with the floor shifter used in Chevelles and Caminos...? I was in a hurry to make a local car show and needed headers fast so I opted for a set of Hedman 69110's...They're long tube and hang down, but not as far as the Hookers and the Hedmans line right up with the openings in the cross member. If you have Amazon "Prime" then you can have them on your door step in 48 hours..."Win,win!" Amazon.com: Hedman 69110 Chevy Pu 2 & 4Wd Big...

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[scoots71]

How low would you say they hang I'm going with a 4-6 drop hotchkis kit
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