Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

I have ceramic coated Long tube Hooker headers on my 454 in my 69 SWB and my right header is hitting on my passenger side control arm...

Wanting to stay with long tubes if I can but looking for headers that won't rub. I have 2.5" drop spindles and a 2" drop spring.

Maybe some Doug Thorleys looked nice but don't know anyone using them. Don't want to order new headers and they rub just as bad.

Thanks for reading and can get some pics up tomorrow if needed.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

You may look into getting some Chevelle headers... I started out with Hedman Elites for 67-72 Chevy trucks, but they ended up hanging down too low (4.5" drop), so I ended up trying out a set of Hedman Elites for a Chevelle. Below, the first pic is with the truck header on the driver side, the Chevelle header on the pass side. Neither set ever came close to hitting the A-arm, I just changed because I didn't want to bang the collector on the ground. I'm using CPP arms, so I can't speak for the fitment with factory arms, though I don't see it being a problem. These are mock-up pics btw, but the truck is fully assembled.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Thanks for those pics BossHogg. Very good comparison and easily noticeable height difference.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Boss Hogg, I also have a set of the Chevelle headers but am stalled on project right now. I do have them in the truck on a mock up engine and I notice the driver side has a very sharp turn down at the collector. I am wandering how you made this work? Thanks

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

How part # did u go with? When I look on the website there is 3 diff options. Is your engine a 454 also?

Thanks again for the info.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Are they full length headers or shorty/mid length? Mine don't have any 'turn down' the collector exits parallel with the framerail. I'd have to see a pic of what you mean. I will say on the driver's side if you're using a BB with '72 only mounts/clamshells, the part of the mount that bolts directly to the engine will need a little notch cut out to clear the tubes because they tuck close to the block. That was the only issue I saw on the driver's side.

Part number for the Hedman Elite Chevelle headers is 68198. My engine is a BB chevy. I will say I don't have a factory trans x-member in my truck, I'm using a GMC Pauls trans x-member, so I don't know how these will fit with factory stuff. The truck I'm building is a hodgepodge of mismatched junk, so don't take my word for any fitment quality other than what you can see in the pics.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

I had the Hooker standard competition series big block Chevelle headers on my stepside. They fit great with nice ground clearance. My front crossmember was lower than the collector. Only issue is the collectors exit right into the side of a stock trans crossmember. Need a tubular crossmember to use them.

They are not designed for clam shell motor mounts so if you run them you will need to trim a small corner off the bucket to clear one of the tubes on the drivers side. Easy fix.

What's funny is that the big block first gen Camaro headers don't even come close to fitting.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

BossHogg, mine are Patriot Clippster mid length headers for a Chevelle. There is excellent clearance everywhere, but as I said, the drivers side collector is almost pointed strait down at ground. I wanted to keep everything tucked beside the frame rails.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

do you have a picture with the #68198 on the drivers side??

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Im running hooker chevelle full length headers #2455. I have a bbc and running POL'S tubular engine and tranny mount. These headers couldn't fit any better in my opinion. Im running a 4.5" drop in the front and a 7" drop in the rear.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

No, it was hitting the clamshell motor mount so it wouldn't bolt up. I was going to get a pic after I notched the motor mount ('72 BB clamshell style) but haven't messed with it yet. Other than the motor mount interference, there is plenty of room and lots of ground clearance.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

im really new to this site, came across it and it seemed very informative. i cant figure out how to put pictures up yet... i built my own custom trans crossmember that is a fixed cross, but i can still unblot the tranny mount. i planned on the exhaust running in the middle of the height of the crossmember. the headman elite 68198 look like they would work closest to what i need, jus wondering if any headers were a lil higher?

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Was wondering if you got the mount in and the other header. I'm pretty close to getting my headers and it looks like the collector might interfere with the trans linkage arm, so wanted to see if you had installed yours and maybe had a pic of it? Don't want to spend the money to have to return it!

Thanks, Al

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Hooker Headers#520-2455-2
Competition Headers
396-502 Chevy Big Block V8
1970-72 Camaro
1964-74 Chevelle, El Camino
1970-74 Monte Carlo
1971-74 Full Size
2'' x 30'' Primary Tubes
3.5'' x 10'' Collector
Stainless Steel


these are what I have installed and they fit like a glove they run real close to the auto colum shift linkage so I had to use a lincage from a 1975 pickup

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

What motor mounts did you use?

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

the early style big block stands and mounts

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Weev:

Like your truck, I lowered the front with 2.5 in drop spindles and 2" drop springs. Sanderson makes a set of long tube headers that actually fit our trucks! BB4 Blockhuggers. They stay ABOVE the bottom of the frame rails once they get past the wheel arch. A small (3/8 in deep) half moon in the upper flange of the frame on the passenger side was required to clear the #2 tube but that was very minor.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Here are some follow up pics for those wanting more info on Chevelle headers in a C10 - these are part #68198 (same as in the pics I posted above). You can see how tight the #1 tube is on the '72 style BB motor mount on the driver side and also where I had to notch the clamshell on the driver side, also for the #1 tube. As for the rest, it's a 3" Flowmaster universal kit that I cobbled together with Borla mufflers.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Man that 572 looks awesome.

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

What trans are you using and shifting
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Headers for a lowered BBC that won't rub....
 

Any pics of said linkage? Thanks in advance.-Brian