A header question with a twist

[HalfBrit]

Hey Mike. I have the Doug's 371Y on my '70 C10, also an original 307 truck. I'll post some pics of frame clearance on both sides and the ground clearance below the frame. Years back (before I started down the rabbit hole of a frame off restoration I was running full length Hedman's. They fit perfect, with no clearance issues, but the collectors pointed at different angles causing ground clearance problems, especially on the passenger side. I eventually swapped them out for Sanderson block huggers. I should add this was originally a 3OTT which complicated (extra crossmember/z-bar) the header selection a bit more. Also running a gear reduction starter, like the one in your post.

[HalfBrit]

Let me know if you need other pics.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

Hey Mike. I have the Doug's 371Y on my '70 C10, also an original 307 truck.

Those are beauties! How long ago did you buy them? And how's the coating holding up?

I ask because after I started this thread I read a D371Y review somewhere by a very unhappy buyer (can't remember where) who said the welding quality and finish were terrible. Back around 2016, a Pertronix guy told me Doug's and Patriot headers were made in the same Mexico factory just south of San Diego. I don't know when they moved manufacturing from California, but maybe the quality suffered.

Whatever I decide on, I'll buy from Summit because their Arlington, TX store is less than an hour from my house, which makes returns easy.

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

Years back (before I started down the rabbit hole of a frame off restoration I was running full length Hedmans. They fit perfect, with no clearance issues, but the collectors pointed at different angles causing ground clearance problems, especially on the passenger side.

Yeah, the Hedman long-tube "Elite" headers I mentioned in the first post above had the same problem back around 2001! You can see in the picture that the passenger side collector still points upwards too much. Don't know what the heck they are thinking! I mean, we here have a company that's been in business forever and they can't get headers for popular trucks right???

[HalfBrit]

Never could understand the offset angle, left to right. There's literally nothing in the way to prevent them being even. As far as Doug's, I purchased them 2 years ago. I can't speak to the finish (Ceramic coated) durability because the truck is still "in process". Probably will be for some time, lol. I can say the quality of the welds and finish look good and I'm very pleased at the fitment. There's just a slight difference in left to right collector height. One thing that may or may not matter to you, these headers have 2-1/2" collectors. Most full length headers have 3" collectors.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

One thing that may or may not matter to you, these headers have 2-1/2" collectors. Most full length headers have 3" collectors.

Thanks for your comments. 2-1/2" collectors are OK with me. I'm not sure it makes much difference performance-wise with my mild engine and 2-1/4" exhaust pipes.