give up on headers!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jddowell · 11-17-2002, 11:07 PM

I bought a "72" which has Hooker headers on it. I have fought the headers since July and am giving up on leak problems, wire problems, starter problem. I was wondering if exhaust manifold from any 350 chevy pickup would work or do I need to look for specific set to work? I have located a fellow who has several, some dump exhaust in the back some in the middle. What did the original look like and will any work.

Longhorn Man · 11-17-2002, 11:16 PM

Before you give up, where are they leaking? The dead soft aluminum collector gaskets will seal up anything.
As for wires, a good (even cheap) set of wire looms will solve that problem.
As for the manifolds, the only ones that'll work are the ram horn manifolds, they are the ones that dump in the center.
Sorry ...no pic.

cableguy0 · 11-17-2002, 11:18 PM

what kind of gaskets are you running. headers will seal if properly done. get a set of moroso wire looms they are like 15 bucks mounts to the valve covers and keep the wires away fromt eh headers. as for the starter get a heat shield very inexpensive and fairly easy to install

68 Suburban · 11-17-2002, 11:22 PM

I HATE headers!

Longhorn Man · 11-17-2002, 11:23 PM

I think these looms were only like 10 bucks or something...

cableguy0 · 11-17-2002, 11:25 PM

i got the ones that are shorter than that and have two ends where they can hold the wires one is vertical and the other is horizontal. pretty neat setup and the best part they are cheap lol

Longhorn Man · 11-17-2002, 11:31 PM

They help keep things nice and purdy too.

70 Jimmy · 11-18-2002, 12:00 AM

A starter shield is like $10 and takes about 10 min. to install. You could also go with a remote starter solinoid from summit of get your own from a f*rd.

mikep · 11-18-2002, 12:14 AM

Longhornmail...

I see your running ported vacuum to your distributor. How do you like that setup. What sort of timing curve are you running?

About headers. I use copper gaskets . Never had a leak. And I use a late model big block permanent magnet gear reduction starter. Its got lots of header clearance. Fires up every time. Both of those mods cost me less than $140 total and they let me use headers without worrying about heatsoaking the starter or about exhaist leaks. Even the best cast iron manifolds will cost you 20 + hp .

Hooter · 11-18-2002, 12:33 AM

With my headers and the starter problem i just wrapped an asbetoes mit on the starter. I have some wire looms too. I have the headers on the truck for 8 years and no leaks. Changed the gaskets to copper gaskets never had a problem since.

jddowell · 11-18-2002, 01:10 AM

Thanks to all for the information. I appreciate this site. I have "many times" gained the information needed to work on my old "72" by just visiting this site and doing a search on the particular problem I was having. Again, I say Thanks!

cableguy0 · 11-18-2002, 01:11 AM

no problem glad to help

powder · 11-18-2002, 09:43 AM

hey man i ran into the same problem this is what this old man told me to do buy a big block starter it bolts up and last longer second you can use just straight permatex put it on the headers and the block it wors i have hadit done my trucks has been running without a header leak for three years know

72step · 11-18-2002, 11:33 AM

Believe it or not, but I use regular metal type manifold gaskets on my headers, and have never had a leak between the head, and header. They are easy to install, you don't even need to remove the headers completely. I don't even have wire looms, (I should), and have never had problems. Never had starter problems either, but I don't use my truck that much. On the collector, find a good gasket, and use two on each side.

Ackattack · 11-18-2002, 12:05 PM

I was having starter problems with my old headers even with a heat shield. I got a pair of jet hot coated dynomax and haven't had any problems since, plus they look soo much better than the rusty POSes I did have.

LeRoy · 11-18-2002, 12:09 PM

Another thing that helps is to use "Shorty" header spark plugs. I've had good luck with the ones ACCELL makes. Makes install easier and keeps the angled plug boot away from the header

hanssolo · 11-18-2002, 02:52 PM

I use Accel shorties also as I got tired of burned boots. I've never had any starter overheating problems though.

Longhorn Man · 11-19-2002, 12:04 AM

I have tried ported vac, full vac, and in all honesty...it runs better with NO vac at all. I have real light springs (can't remember the color...been a couple years) on the weights.

11-17-2002, 11:07 PM	#1
jddowell Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cushing, Oklahoma Posts: 20	give up on headers!! I bought a "72" which has Hooker headers on it. I have fought the headers since July and am giving up on leak problems, wire problems, starter problem. I was wondering if exhaust manifold from any 350 chevy pickup would work or do I need to look for specific set to work? I have located a fellow who has several, some dump exhaust in the back some in the middle. What did the original look like and will any work.

11-17-2002, 11:18 PM	#3
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	what kind of gaskets are you running. headers will seal if properly done. get a set of moroso wire looms they are like 15 bucks mounts to the valve covers and keep the wires away fromt eh headers. as for the starter get a heat shield very inexpensive and fairly easy to install __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-17-2002, 11:25 PM	#6
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	i got the ones that are shorter than that and have two ends where they can hold the wires one is vertical and the other is horizontal. pretty neat setup and the best part they are cheap lol __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-18-2002, 12:00 AM	#8
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	A starter shield is like $10 and takes about 10 min. to install. You could also go with a remote starter solinoid from summit of get your own from a f*rd. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

11-18-2002, 12:14 AM	#9
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Longhornmail... I see your running ported vacuum to your distributor. How do you like that setup. What sort of timing curve are you running? About headers. I use copper gaskets . Never had a leak. And I use a late model big block permanent magnet gear reduction starter. Its got lots of header clearance. Fires up every time. Both of those mods cost me less than $140 total and they let me use headers without worrying about heatsoaking the starter or about exhaist leaks. Even the best cast iron manifolds will cost you 20 + hp . __________________ No truck :-( Last edited by mikep; 11-18-2002 at 01:08 AM.

11-17-2002, 11:16 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Before you give up, where are they leaking? The dead soft aluminum collector gaskets will seal up anything. As for wires, a good (even cheap) set of wire looms will solve that problem. As for the manifolds, the only ones that'll work are the ram horn manifolds, they are the ones that dump in the center. Sorry ...no pic.

11-17-2002, 11:22 PM	#4
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I HATE headers!

11-17-2002, 11:23 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I think these looms were only like 10 bucks or something...

11-17-2002, 11:31 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	They help keep things nice and purdy too.

11-18-2002, 12:33 AM	#10
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,078	With my headers and the starter problem i just wrapped an asbetoes mit on the starter. I have some wire looms too. I have the headers on the truck for 8 years and no leaks. Changed the gaskets to copper gaskets never had a problem since. __________________ MEMBER DISCS UP FRONT CLUB 69 custom camper/cst 10 70 monte carlo 383 stroker with a 700r4 77 fully loaded silverado (back in the backyard for a little while longer) 1980 BMW 320i (back in the garage finally) 1981 f@*d f150 4x4 (Robert red ford) tried to kill me 1972 Honda ct 90 trailbike Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com AC/DC RULES!!! First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

11-18-2002, 01:10 AM	#11
jddowell Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cushing, Oklahoma Posts: 20	"THANKS TO ALL" Thanks to all for the information. I appreciate this site. I have "many times" gained the information needed to work on my old "72" by just visiting this site and doing a search on the particular problem I was having. Again, I say Thanks!

11-18-2002, 01:11 AM	#12
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	no problem glad to help __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-18-2002, 09:43 AM	#13
powder the ring around my finger Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Spring Lake NC Posts: 187	headers hey man i ran into the same problem this is what this old man told me to do buy a big block starter it bolts up and last longer second you can use just straight permatex put it on the headers and the block it wors i have hadit done my trucks has been running without a header leak for three years know

11-18-2002, 11:33 AM	#14
72step Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: chimayo, nm, usa Posts: 898	Believe it or not, but I use regular metal type manifold gaskets on my headers, and have never had a leak between the head, and header. They are easy to install, you don't even need to remove the headers completely. I don't even have wire looms, (I should), and have never had problems. Never had starter problems either, but I don't use my truck that much. On the collector, find a good gasket, and use two on each side.

11-18-2002, 12:05 PM	#15
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	I was having starter problems with my old headers even with a heat shield. I got a pair of jet hot coated dynomax and haven't had any problems since, plus they look soo much better than the rusty POSes I did have. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index



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11-18-2002, 12:09 PM	#16
LeRoy Registered truck nut Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mt. Vernon, Washington, USA Posts: 1,584	Another thing that helps is to use "Shorty" header spark plugs. I've had good luck with the ones ACCELL makes. Makes install easier and keeps the angled plug boot away from the header __________________ MOUNT VERNON, WASH. STATE Need a part? Just PM me

11-18-2002, 02:52 PM	#17
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	I use Accel shorties also as I got tired of burned boots. I've never had any starter overheating problems though. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________

11-19-2002, 12:04 AM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I have tried ported vac, full vac, and in all honesty...it runs better with NO vac at all. I have real light springs (can't remember the color...been a couple years) on the weights.

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