Header Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stanford · 01-08-2005, 02:04 PM

Well after having my flowtech headers for three years, they have now cracked out around one of the tubes where they all come together, and I brazed it up as well as I could, but there is just no way to get it all. So my question is three years the average for a set of headers, did I get a bad pair, and what brand should I go with next.

Thanks,

Stanford

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-08-2005, 02:26 PM

Not Sure Which Brand I Would Get, But I Would Definately Get A Set W/ Ball Flanges

bobs409 · 01-09-2005, 08:25 AM

Mine are flowtech and I usually get 3-5 years from a set. Mine always fail due to rust/rot out at the collector ends. I always buy the cheapest ones I can get as headers do not last if you daily drive with them. I think I paid about $80-$90 at Advance auto for my current pair.

RON WOODGEARD · 01-09-2005, 09:08 AM

My headers are at least 10 years old, I think they are Summit. Snowy weather plays hell on headers, and I haven't been in snow until a year ago.. But until 3 years ago my truck was driven everyday..

I have never went in for the Big Buck headers unless I was Drag racing it on Sundays..

Fred T · 01-09-2005, 11:40 AM

If you want them to last, buy coated headers. The ceramic coating also helps keep the engine compartment cooler. Also, by keeping the exhaust warmer as it travels down the header, the engine runs more efficiently.

low burb · 01-09-2005, 11:53 AM

My Hookers have lasted 4 yrs(still going), including gaskets, although the 'Burb hasn't been the primary driver for the last year. The first three years though were all year ,in the snow, anywhere, anytime. Uncoated.

**Boog** · 01-09-2005, 01:23 PM

I once had a set of cheap headers last over 7 years and with the orginal gaskets. Drove it everyday. That is a rarity though.

muddpile · 01-09-2005, 01:50 PM

So, how long would, say a set of hedman elites last on a summer vehicle. They are ceramic coated, with 3/8" flanges and 50% thicker primaries? Is it worth it to step up to a nicer set or will they just burn through too?

chevyboy55 · 01-09-2005, 02:20 PM

I bought a set of Doug Thorley's (dont even know if the are in business anymoe) 25 yrs ago & they are still going.

Longhorn Man · 01-09-2005, 07:09 PM

My last truck had old Hooker Comps in there, they were still thick and solid when I sold it to Chevye. While it was only driven 2 salt winters, it was a daily driver for many years with them on there. I drove it every single day for 4 years almost, and I know the dope smokin old man I bought it off of had them on there for a minimum of 8 years...and they were old even then. (That was when I first saw and checked out the truck) This was his only vehicle, so safe to say he drove it a bunch.
Hookers are expensive, but they fit, they don't hang low, they are thick, they don't blow gaskets...money well spent in the long run IMO...esp if you can swing the cost of the coated ones.

I avoid cheap headers at all costs now that I have had good ones...night and day difference.

72dually · 01-09-2005, 09:20 PM

I had thorleys on a 70 elky for 8 or 9 years, never an issue, plus they have that distinctive sound I cant get enough of

Stanford · 01-09-2005, 10:09 PM

Thanks for all the info.

Stanford

RON WOODGEARD · 01-10-2005, 02:18 AM

Stanford,

What are you running for exhaust behind those headers?

I remember way back when I use to run Purple Hornies that Bolted straight to the Flanges and Turned down, I had this same problem with the tubes breaking just in front of the Collector.. IE: Too much weight hanging on the headers..

Stanford · 01-10-2005, 03:56 PM

2.5 in right out of the headers, straight all the way back to the axles, bind up a little and then the glasspacks, over the axle and straight out into 3 3/4 blewtube tips. I don't think there would be to much weight there, but I had never thought about it.

Thanks,

Stanford

RON WOODGEARD · 01-10-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanford

2.5 in right out of the headers, straight all the way back to the axles, bind up a little and then the glasspacks, over the axle and straight out into 3 3/4 blewtube tips. I don't think there would be to much weight there, but I had never thought about it.

Thanks,

Stanford

No, that shouldn't be the problem with that setup..Unless ther's a broken Hanger.....

Sorry, No help....

01-08-2005, 02:04 PM	#1
Stanford WILLY FOR PRESIDENT!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 190	Header Questions Well after having my flowtech headers for three years, they have now cracked out around one of the tubes where they all come together, and I brazed it up as well as I could, but there is just no way to get it all. So my question is three years the average for a set of headers, did I get a bad pair, and what brand should I go with next. Thanks, Stanford __________________ *"He's a high tech REDNECK."* George Jones '67 C/10 FOR SALE!! $600, runs, strait grill, good parts, or beater truck '68 GMC K25, 4x4, current project '71 Custom/10, Crate 350, My Baby!! '97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

01-08-2005, 02:26 PM	#2
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,484	Not Sure Which Brand I Would Get, But I Would Definately Get A Set W/ Ball Flanges __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

01-09-2005, 08:25 AM	#3
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Mine are flowtech and I usually get 3-5 years from a set. Mine always fail due to rust/rot out at the collector ends. I always buy the cheapest ones I can get as headers do not last if you daily drive with them. I think I paid about $80-$90 at Advance auto for my current pair. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

01-09-2005, 11:40 AM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	If you want them to last, buy coated headers. The ceramic coating also helps keep the engine compartment cooler. Also, by keeping the exhaust warmer as it travels down the header, the engine runs more efficiently. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

01-09-2005, 11:53 AM	#6
low burb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Medicine Hat,AB, Canada Posts: 194	My Hookers have lasted 4 yrs(still going), including gaskets, although the 'Burb hasn't been the primary driver for the last year. The first three years though were all year ,in the snow, anywhere, anytime. Uncoated. __________________ Michael 1971 GMC Suburban "Crusty" 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 2wd 1978 Scout II 1992 Passat Syncro

01-09-2005, 09:08 AM	#4
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	My headers are at least 10 years old, I think they are Summit. Snowy weather plays hell on headers, and I haven't been in snow until a year ago.. But until 3 years ago my truck was driven everyday.. I have never went in for the Big Buck headers unless I was Drag racing it on Sundays..

01-09-2005, 01:23 PM	#7
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,453	I once had a set of cheap headers last over 7 years and with the orginal gaskets. Drove it everyday. That is a rarity though. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

01-09-2005, 01:50 PM	#8
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	So, how long would, say a set of hedman elites last on a summer vehicle. They are ceramic coated, with 3/8" flanges and 50% thicker primaries? Is it worth it to step up to a nicer set or will they just burn through too? __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open

01-09-2005, 02:20 PM	#9
chevyboy55 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kelso,Wa Posts: 3,637	I bought a set of Doug Thorley's (dont even know if the are in business anymoe) 25 yrs ago & they are still going.

01-09-2005, 07:09 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	My last truck had old Hooker Comps in there, they were still thick and solid when I sold it to Chevye. While it was only driven 2 salt winters, it was a daily driver for many years with them on there. I drove it every single day for 4 years almost, and I know the dope smokin old man I bought it off of had them on there for a minimum of 8 years...and they were old even then. (That was when I first saw and checked out the truck) This was his only vehicle, so safe to say he drove it a bunch. Hookers are expensive, but they fit, they don't hang low, they are thick, they don't blow gaskets...money well spent in the long run IMO...esp if you can swing the cost of the coated ones. I avoid cheap headers at all costs now that I have had good ones...night and day difference.

01-09-2005, 09:20 PM	#11
72dually Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 687	I had thorleys on a 70 elky for 8 or 9 years, never an issue, plus they have that distinctive sound I cant get enough of

01-09-2005, 10:09 PM	#12
Stanford WILLY FOR PRESIDENT!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 190	Thanks for all the info. Stanford __________________ *"He's a high tech REDNECK."* George Jones '67 C/10 FOR SALE!! $600, runs, strait grill, good parts, or beater truck '68 GMC K25, 4x4, current project '71 Custom/10, Crate 350, My Baby!! '97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

01-10-2005, 02:18 AM	#13
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	Stanford, What are you running for exhaust behind those headers? I remember way back when I use to run Purple Hornies that Bolted straight to the Flanges and Turned down, I had this same problem with the tubes breaking just in front of the Collector.. IE: Too much weight hanging on the headers..

01-10-2005, 03:56 PM	#14
Stanford WILLY FOR PRESIDENT!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 190	2.5 in right out of the headers, straight all the way back to the axles, bind up a little and then the glasspacks, over the axle and straight out into 3 3/4 blewtube tips. I don't think there would be to much weight there, but I had never thought about it. Thanks, Stanford __________________ *"He's a high tech REDNECK."* George Jones '67 C/10 FOR SALE!! $600, runs, strait grill, good parts, or beater truck '68 GMC K25, 4x4, current project '71 Custom/10, Crate 350, My Baby!! '97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

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