No more Hookers for me, thanks

[Tx Firefighter]

Some of you might remember I got some Hooker Comps for my big block truck project. I posted pictures of how close they were to the oil pan and starter.

The clearance between the pan and header is not enough to put my pinky into. I even bought a mini starter to get more clearance around the starter. The starter arrived yesterday, and it won't even bolt onto the engine without hitting the headers. The starter can be adjusted three ways for clearance. I tried all 3 ways.

So, today I shipped a big ol box back to Summit with headers, collectors, and mini starter in it.

I'm going to use my stock HD GM starter and new exhaust manifolds. I should wind up with about 350 bucks left over after returning all of that crap and buying a new pair of manifolds.

Sorry to vent on you guys. Maybe it will save you some money.

[Tx Firefighter]

Stock starter was this close. The 160 dollar mini starter couldn't even bolt on. It's made kind of offset and makes the problem even worse.

[Tx Firefighter]

These little things aren't all they're said to be.

[Tx Firefighter]

So, I shipped it all back and spent a nice rainy afternoon rebuilding and detailing a stock big block starter.

It was kind of like therapy after the two months of header induced agony.

I've used Hooker Comps on small block trucks and they're great. Big block ones are a much different story.

[tomsC10R]

Yeah, you'd think they could make them fit better than that. Thanks for the heads up.

[Inthuwind]

Sorry you had to go thru the agony, but thank you for sharing the info on the headers. I was planning on putting those on one some day---looks like I'll take an alternate. Thanks.

[Orence1]

That is exactly why I went with manifolds on my BB. By the way, I have an excellent of manifolds if you are interested.
Larry

[djracer]

I'd try a set of hedman hedders! I have them on my small block and I have put them on several different model trucks with good fit! I gave up on hooker when myself and a buddy of mine had them break in the same spot on a 67 and 69 camaro I figured If they couldn't build them right for that car their was no hope on anything else. That has to be one of the most popular hedders on the planet!

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm definitely going with manifolds. I've been sitting on my rear for two months while trying to solve this header/ starter problem.

I know manifolds will clear by a mile and they are available priced pretty reasonable.

Besides, that stung spending 36 bucks to pay to ship all of that back to Summit. I'm not wasting any more time or money on this area. I need to burn tires with big block power soon!

[dtlilly]

Good info there. I've got them on my small block and they fit fine, but they sure have a radical bend in those big block ones.

[jhow66]

Used a set of Hedman's (part# 69130-2" primary,3" collector) on my 71 with a 502BB. They fit like a glove and have plenty of starter clearance reg or mini size.

[dinnut]

wow, have you contacted the hooker about it coming that close? they should be able to help you. if they are nice and a good company...
thats a beauty of an engine though! those manifolds will pull off that all original bb look...

[N2TRUX]

TX why not just put a set of shorties on it? They have to flow better than stockers...

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Were those the headder's with the funny bend on one tube kinda looked like a half moon???? Damn i was wanting headder's guess I am gonna have to shop around..

[imdarren]

Has anyone installed headers on a small block with the mini starter? Any clearance problems with the mini starter?

darren

[BtnkBndt]

I can't believe they wouldn't cover return shipping. You should have recieved a refund on your original shipping also. They sell the stuff, they should know the right applications. They didn't fit right and thats that.

Sorry to hear of the aggravation. Mail order can som,etimes be a real hassle and end up costing more $$ than just going to the local shop.

I like Hedmans too, never had a problem. I have heard some here with different views though.

Like Dinnut said, your going for the stock look anyways. You might end up happier with the manifolds anyway.

[hobby67stepside]

I got a set of Hookers from Summit for my 454 and they fit fine. There's adequate room around the stock starter and frame rail clearance. There are several #s on the box - 2455 (a Holley number - I don't quite understand that) 4530302 and then 11035. I think they were around $200 - $250.

[Hooter]

huh, I have hookers on my 454 too, and I dont have any problems like that, very odd indeed

[Longhorn Man]

Are you by chance running the big block on small block towers?
I only ask becouse as you stated (and I can confirm) the small block super comps are simply awsome, and Hooker is one of the most respected header company out there. Seems kinda hard to swallow that the R&D would be so poor on a vehicle that has been around for 30+ years.

[dinnut]

painted black they look great! is it possible that the 454's in motorhomes are different?

[junkyardjohn]

TXFIREFIGHTER -- I CAN TELL BY YOUR PAST POSTS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, SO DON'T TAKE THIS AS A SLAM. I PUT A SET OF HOOKER SUPER COMP.S ON A 71 SHORT FLEET, WITH A 468 & T-400 WITH NO CLEARANCE ISSUES AT ALL. I COULD (& DID) CHANGE MY FULL SIZE GM STOCK STARTER WITHOUT LOOSENING MY HEADERS. I'M NOT DOUBTING THE FACT THAT YOU EXPERIANCED CLEARANCE PROBLEMS, BUT I'VE BEEN USING HOOKER & DOUG THORLY HEADERS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, & HAVE HAD NO LESS THAN A DOZEN SETS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. IN MY OPINION THEY ARE SOME OF THE BEST HEADERS MONEY CAN BUY. JOHN

[Tx Firefighter]

I appreciate all of the input here. The headers do fit. I mean, they bolt on and don't actually touch the stock starter, but it's too close for me. With that weird bend under the starter, the header is going to have to be pulled anytime the starter has to come off. With the header tube less than a 1/4 inch from the starter, it's going to wind up eating starters on a regular basis. I was trying to avoid all of the hassle by getting the little high torque starter right up front.

Pulling the header to remove the starter is going to wind up scratching the coating on them as well as having to buy gaskets every time too.

To the one guy, no, I definitely have BB mounts, no doubt, but the engine is still on the engine stand anyway. I was trying to sort out all of these problems before ever trying to stab the engine in. I know how I am, and lying on my back under the truck with brand new 369 dollar coated headers getting beaten on trying to change a starter is too much for me.

These headers have the Hooker part number stamped into each one. I checked the number and they are definitely the right ones. The tech guys recomended that I simply run the smaller 12 3/4 inch flywheel and mount the mini starter in the inboard set of holes. I tried it and it clears by a mile that way, but no one makes a 12 3/4 inch flywheel for a 454. The 454 uses a special counterweighted flywheel different from any other bigblock. The jerk at Hooker told me had the same problem with his 71 truck with a 402 and he just used the small flywheel and starter. When I told him that that doesn't exist for a 454 he had no answer. My neighbor is a GM dealer parts guy and absolute guru on all things GM. That smaller flywheel simply doesn't exist for a 454 and automatic transmission.

I considered shorty headers, but no one ever could give me the details as to what fits and how much of the frame lip they had to trim to make them fit. The internet is full of "I heard that Chevelle shortys fit", but not many guys have stepped up and done the install and supplied details.

[Oborny71]

hooker makes great headers, they were probably just the wrong kind of BB headers for your truck. I'm sure there are a set that will fit. Its frusterating , but don't give up! headers are one of the best investments you can make. One of the few performance mods than can add a decent amount of HP, AND improve gas milege at the same time. Headers can easily make a 20-25 hp difference.

[hobby67stepside]

I think the headers I got were a Chevelle BB application. Call Summit with the numbers I submitted above and see.

[dinnut]

call some header companys... or even better email them asking for pics of big blocks with their headers... to show clearance

http://store.summitracing.com/produc...earchtype=ecat

WLK-86022 Chevrolet/GMC: 1968-87 396-454, 1/2-3/4 ton trucks, 1 3/4 in. primary tubes, 3 in. collectors, ceramic coated,...
have you looked into those at all?


DTE-303Y Chevrolet/GMC: 1973-87 396-454 C5 Blazer/Jimmy and C10-35 pickup, 1975-89 366-454 Class A motorhomes, 14 gauge...
doug thorley makes headers for motorhomes.... they might work?
http://store.summitracing.com/produc...earchtype=ecat

man i hope you figure this out!