Best Fitting Headers For a 66

[damnyankee36]

I know this has been discussed before, but my searches haven't given me a definitive answer about header fit on the 60-66 trucks. It seems all the discussions were based on the 67-up.

Who has a SBC with shorty headers installed in their 66 that fit with no mods? I have an auto transmission. Can anybody tell me what brand they use?

Another issue I found was that, apparently, the 60-66 trucks have a narrower frame cross section than the 67-up. That might be something in my favor.

I like the ceramic coated headers and looked at the Sanderson's, but I was hoping for something a little cheaper.

Thanks again!!

[Chevy Fleetside]

These are some headers I bought at Kragens. I can't remember what brand name they are but the Summit headers work just fine also. The 3rd picture of the truck are these headers http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9006-9/# from summit. They are $216. They are the last picture.

[Jakes-66-K10]

Curious about this myself, I've seen alot of headers hang too low below the frame, and "best fit" should be not only between the frame rails but positioned for the best ground clearance too. Anyone used anything they would say is the best fit for our year of trucks?

[damnyankee36]

I'm starting get somewhere on this. I've narrowed it down to the Summit G9060-1 and the Speedway Motors 9300100H and 9300101H.

The 100H, is described as: $160:

"These S/B Chevy tight fit headers fit even difficult applications where space is limited. For round port S/B Chevy. 1-1/2" primary with 2-1/2" collector. Complete with reducers, gaskets, and bolts. Will not fit angled plug heads".

The Speedway 101H, $200:

"These small-block Chevy tight-fit headers are the most universal steel tube headers available. They even fit difficult applications where space is limited. They are a favorite for street rods, as well as many 1950's and 1960's cars and vintage trucks".

Both are ceramic coated and have 1-1/2" and 1-5/8" primaries, respectively.

Since this design is closer to the style of the ram horn manifolds, I don't think I will have to worry about fitment problems like the "swept" back ones.

It looks like the only difference between the two are the primary pipe size.

[Joemomma1]

Im running a set from a 60s-70's camaro/chevelle. Does not hang past the frame rails. Fits nice.

[Sicboy]

I just bought a set of Speedway's Tru-Ram cast iron manifolds for my 327 rebuild. Right now they're at the ceramic coaters being coated in shiny ceramichrome.

[damnyankee36]

I found these for sale. He says they are D port headers. I thought a D port header would be shape like a D.

What's everybody think?

[protrash64]

I used Summit shorty's for a 88-98 pickup small block. Dont fit your no mods, but very close. I welded the O2 sensor shut and had a slight clearance issue with the drivers frame rail...my engine is in the forward position, if you were in the rear position it would have cleared I believe.

[chris6499]

i have block huggers on mine now they are ok but i want to replace them with some shorty headers should beable to tuck the exhaust up higher with the block huggers the exhaust hangs to low

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by chris6499

i have block huggers on mine now they are ok but i want to replace them with some shorty headers should beable to tuck the exhaust up higher with the block huggers the exhaust hangs to low

Yes you will....with the shorty's I used, I was able to run the exhaust past the trans and thru the x-member. It's completely above the bottom of the frame.

Low points become front control arms, trans pan, and the oval in the x-member behind the trans.

[Bennydog]

Ive got hooker comp headers on my 65 sbc350 fit good no issues

[mjs94080]

very nice! Im thinking of getting hooker headers for my 66'.

Originally Posted by Bennydog

Ive got hooker comp headers on my 65 sbc350 fit good no isssues

[Chuck Milton]

Originally Posted by Bennydog

Ive got hooker comp headers on my 65 sbc350 fit good no issues

I have the same, bored 4" holes in crossmember to keep the pipes up, excellent fit.

[BR3W CITY]

ive got my motor in the rear position, and im running hooker supercomps. they were slightly massaged but it didn't HAVE to be done

[Captainfab]

Take a look at Hedman 69230's they don't hang down much if any below the bottom of the frame. They are also available in ceramic coated.

[ruffrida2005]

These are what I'm running http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-2466HKR/ check out my build thread you can see some good pics witht he headers on, and if not heres my photobucket http://s581.photobucket.com/albums/s...ent=truck8.jpg

[toms84ss]

I have the same headers as ruffrida2005 in my 65 with an 87 Burb cross member. No mods, bolt in, don't hang too low. Haven't finished the exhaust yet. Just have them bolted to the engine.

[shrunken66stroker]

There have been people mentioning Headman shorties will work. The part number they gave was 69648. I'm thinking about giving these a try.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=69648&dds=1

[damnyankee36]

Well, I wound up ordering the Speedway Motors 9300100H. The 101H had the 1-5/8" primaries. The 100H's 1-1/2" is all I need.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...ders,3815.html

Figures they would go back-order!

We'll see how they fit.

[damnyankee36]

Got the Speedway headers in today.

First thing I noticed was the flanges were only about 1/8" thick. And, when they say they are block huggers, they aren't kidding. The collector looks like it was touching the block the same time the flanges were seated on the exhaust ports. I was afraid once they were bolted down, there might be some stress if they were bending the tubes.

But, I didn't have to worry about finding out if they were going to be stressed. I didn't get that far.

The #3 tube was about 1/16" away from the spark plug!

Since they are ceramic, I figured dimpling the tube wasn't the answer, so I packed them up to send back.

How hard could it have been to move the tube just a little in the design? I guess I got what I paid for.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by damnyankee36

Well, I wound up ordering the Speedway Motors 9300100H. The 101H had the 1-5/8" primaries. The 100H's 1-1/2" is all I need.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...ders,3815.html

Figures they would go back-order!

We'll see how they fit.

Are u saying they back-ordered them? It seems like lotsa replies to your 1st questions were leading you toward full-length headers, whereas u asked re: 'shorties'. My thinking is those replies may have been trying to point out what I've read and heard about performance between the 2 types: most seem to believe u get better performance with the full-length type.

The ones u ordered surely are inexpensive--quite an incentive. But, compare wall-thickness, flange-thickness(I'd go for as close to 3/8-inch as possible as they are much stronger), and whether they fit angle-plug heads--u never know when u may go to such heads--just some things to consider. Also, the cheaper ones may not seal as well, which would always make u dissatisfied, regardless.

I used a set of coated--from Jegs (maybe Flow-Tech?)--that they had a special on. Already had bought a set of their brand, $100, shipping included; figuring if dissatisfied they'd stand behind their own brand better. But, before I needed them, they put some coated ones on special: about $200 including shipping. I bo't them and used them and they fit and hang perfectly--hafta bend over to really see, from side views, that it has headers on it. My truck is a '66 with sbc in rear position. Sorry I don't recall any part numbers or brand; but after 2 years, they seal as well as manifolds, perform quite well, and have not rusted or discolored.

So, if your order was back-ordered, maybe u would wanna re-think. Possible to stop/cancel the order? [But, at that price, u could always sell them quickly on C'list!] Or, u may not even be interested in performance. Good luck with your decision(s).
Sam

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by shrunken66stroker

There have been people mentioning Headman shorties will work. The part number they gave was 69648. I'm thinking about giving these a try.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=69648&dds=1

How did these headers work out for you ? I'm looking at them as well but want to make sue I wont have to change out my motor mounts for clearance issues.

Cheers,
Ed

[ruffrida2005]

Look at the headers I'm running, I dont have any problem with them. The collector is a little close to the oil filter, but no problem with them at all with the spark plugs.

[damnyankee36]

I looked at yours earlier, but couldn't find them with a ceramic coating.

Thanks for helping!

[ruffrida2005]

Summit does sell them as ceramic coated also. Just type in HOK 2466 and they will come up.