Hooker Headers

[eightbanger]

Well after lots of reading and searching for my hew headers for BB lowered trucks, I went for the Chevelle Hooker Headers Part # 2455-1HKR they had been touted as a good fit for our trucks, and that they ran quite close to frame rail height for lowered trucks with a BB.
YES they ran close to frame rail height, but NO they do not fit, the passenger side has no issues, the drivers side was a no go, they hit the frame and are obstructed badly by the oil filter, I could have removed the filter, and cut a half moon out of the frame, but I still wouldn't have been able to reinstall my filter.
I live in the UK and have to go that extra mile to make sure that what I order is correct as there is absolutely no chance of returning an item, these $405 headers cost me $760 so this is exactly what I try so hard to avoid they're now up for sale, and I have to start looking again.

[hugger6933]

I'm not understanding the oil filter part, thew filter is in the same spot regardless of what the engine is in. Right?

[eightbanger]

It's beyond me,all I know is that when I tried to lift the header up from under the truck on the DS it wedged itself between the frame and oil filter one of the primary was against the filter and another was against the frame, no amount of persuading was going to get it in without damaging the ceramic coating.
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[68350]

I'm not sure about the lowered part, but I have Sanderson headers on my 496 and they fit no problem. They do stick below the frame about 3-4" though

[eightbanger]

Im just disappointed as I wanted to stick with Hooker, I could have bought truck headers from them, but they would have hung way below the frame just like my old ones which is what im trying to eliminate.

[68350]

Did you consider shorty headers or even mid length?

[WIDESIDE72]

Is it possible to run a short filter on a bbc like on a sbc? I know sbc there are a short and long filters... what about a remote filter?

[seafoam68]

I have a set of Sanderson ceramic coated for a Chevelle. I believe they are mid lenght. Pass side is perfect, driver side has plenty of clearance the only problem is the collector on it points straight down. Going to try to get shop to bend it. Otherwise, these are great. they exit at frame level, so I can tuck pipes alongside frame. I can't stand that hanging down below look.

[70']

Oil filter relocation kit, problem solved.

[Willys47]

I have the hooker 2455-2 headers and they fit purfect I can take more pics if needed

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by 68350

Did you consider shorty headers or even mid length?

Thanks 68350, Yes I am now looking at Sanderson BB8's, and Hedman, I spoke to tech guy at Sanderson and asked if they had some installed pics and he sent me 4 links to our forum were people had used them ...though a couple still had issues. Do you have any suggestions on shorty or mid length?

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Is it possible to run a short filter on a bbc like on a sbc? I know sbc there are a short and long filters... what about a remote filter?

Yes I could run a short filter but unfortunately it's not the length, it's location, two of the primarys are the problem one is against the frame and the other wedged on the filter. Thanks WIDESIDE.

Originally Posted by seafoam68

I have a set of Sanderson ceramic coated for a Chevelle. I believe they are mid lenght. Pass side is perfect, driver side has plenty of clearance the only problem is the collector on it points straight down. Going to try to get shop to bend it. Otherwise, these are great. they exit at frame level, so I can tuck pipes alongside frame. I can't stand that hanging down below look.

Thanks Seafoam, I can't stand that look either, its been spoiling my truck for years. Are they BB8's, and do the collectors sit below your starter on the PS and oil filter on the DS? in other words do they clear those two things? any underneath pics?

Originally Posted by 70'

Oil filter relocation kit, problem solved.

Not familiar with filter relocation kits, im gonna look into that...Thanks

Originally Posted by Willys47

I have the hooker 2455-2 headers and they fit purfect I can take more pics if needed

Thank you Willys, I don't understand why it's such a problem on mine, I had seen a few posts from guys all stating that the 2455's where the way to go if you wanted Hookers that dont hang below the frame...PS was a perfect trouble free fit.



Thanks again guys.

[snj8198]

Originally Posted by 70'

Oil filter relocation kit, problem solved.

yep, screw the adapter on and run lines to a new filter location. Here's a basic relocation kit from Summit but there are others out there. Search around as some kits are better than others in both quality and features.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4985-1/overview/

Then clearance the frame a bit.

Sorry to hear the issues. With logistic issues costing you so much some frame alterations may be cheaper and easier than selling and shipping an already costly set of headers.

Good luck with it.

[BossHogg69]

I've posted this many times. In regard to long tube Chevelle headers, the Hedman 68198 is the way to go on a lowered truck. They tuck up tighter than the Hooker 2455's and fit well. I had to clearance the engine bracket on my motor mounts (I'm using '72 BB stands) but everything else fit.

Sorry to hear you had trouble with the Hookers - an expensive mistake for sure.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6176293


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=533692

This info is obviously a little late...

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

I've posted this many times. In regard to long tube Chevelle headers, the Hedman 68198 is the way to go on a lowered truck. They tuck up tighter than the Hooker 2455's and fit well. I had to clearance the engine bracket on my motor mounts (I'm using '72 BB stands) but everything else fit.

Sorry to hear you had trouble with the Hookers - an expensive mistake for sure.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6176293


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=533692

This info is obviously a little late...

Late or not, I thank you kindly for the info Adam...I did read through those threads and even sent you a PM while researching which way to go, but I only have myself to blame for wanting Hooker as a brand.

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by snj8198

yep, screw the adapter on and run lines to a new filter location. Here's a basic relocation kit from Summit but there are others out there. Search around as some kits are better than others in both quality and features.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4985-1/overview/

Then clearance the frame a bit.

Sorry to hear the issues. With logistic issues costing you so much some frame alterations may be cheaper and easier than selling and shipping an already costly set of headers.

Good luck with it.

I think you may be right Steve as far as damage limitation goes on my wallet, im going to have a long hard look at making these work and in conjuntion with one of those relocation kits...were there's a will there's a way, I hope
Thanks.

[eightbanger]

Here is some extra info from the tech guy at Headman for those searching this subject in future.

Well for a bagged truck, I recommend the mid-length 69170 uncoated, 69176 silver ceramic coated, or the 69173 black ceramic coated. These all have 1-3/4” primaries with a 3” collector. If you want a larger 2” tube, get the 69190 uncoated, 69196 silver ceramic coated, or 69193 black ceramic coated.

[Willys47]

some more pics these are 2 inch tubes as well

[Willys47]

and the other side

[Willys47]

if you can see how close the ARP head bolts are to the bottom of the flange this is where I had to grind some to clear

[eightbanger]

Thanks for the detailed pics Willys, I'd need to remove my Booster, Alt and all the bracketry to even attemp to drop my headers in from above, with still no guarantee that they would drop in.

The first pic taken from underneath shows this is as close as I can get them in on the DS, the rest show everything that they are getting hung up on preventing them from getting any closer.

[Jonlopes]

WOW, looking at the picture above I do not think they tested the headers on an engine that ran (meaning had an oil filter). I had hooker headers in my 1966 GTO with the stock 389 and hated them. They ran right under the oil filter, when I changed the oil there was like 1mm of space between the headers and the filter after it was unscrewed from the block. That was a minor annoyance but the killer was they leaked in multiple places and nothing I did could fix that. They finally came out for a set of Doug Thorley Tri-Y headers which fit better and had no leaks.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by Jonlopes

WOW, looking at the picture above I do not think they tested the headers on an engine that ran (meaning had an oil filter).

Considering they are headers for a Chevelle... I don't think they test fit them for a truck. Depending on the angle where they hit the frame is also why the might be hitting the oil filter.

One thing about these old rigs is making things fit the way we want them. Even if it means using parts made for other vehicles. It does suck that that the OP is across the Atlantic Ocean and has all the shipping costs to incur along with limited availability with a lot of parts over in the UK. I hope he can get it all sorted out for his truck. I think it's cool as all get out that some cats in other countries are fixing up these trucks.

One thing about headers... I have a buddy building a wicked Pro Street 1967 Camaro with a 8-71 Blown 496 BBC. He has custom rack and pinion steering in with a custom steering shaft as well. Also, it and tubular control arms. I stopped by his place one day and he was sitting there on his shop stool with the drivers side header in his lap looking at the engine compartment. He had the front sheet metal (front clip) removed from the car. He had just received his new custom made headers from Lemons Headers the day prior. I asked him, "Whatcha doin' Barry?" He looked at me, then looked at the car... looked back at me and sadly said, "Contemplating cutting up a $3,000 dollar set of headers to make 'em fit around this f#@%$!% steering shaft."

After 3 months... he did end up cutting them and refabricating them to make them fit.

Gary

[68 TT]

Sorry to hear you are having fitment problems.

Hooker definitely changed the design at some point between when I bought my set back around 1990. There is plenty of room around the oil filter on mine. They may have moved other tubes too.

[68 TT]

I just noticed you have the engine in the forward set of mounting holes on the frame. Move it back about 2-1/2" to the next hole rearward and it should cure all your frame & A-arm clearance issues. The frame transitions from just over 28" wide up front to 34" wide out back so the further back you set the engine the more frame rail clearance you will have.

The oil filter issue will still be present though. You can run the shorter PH30 filter that they used on the 80's & 90's cars in place of the taller PH5 filter. That is probably the one they used for the basis of their design instead of the taller one that is correct to the application. My Malibu small block headers are the same way but even worse. The side of the short filter body hits one of the tubes. It really sucked to have to dent a set of Jet Hot coated headers to make an oil filter fit. That never should have needed to be done just like your oil filter clearance issue. They are a different brand of header so it is not just Hooker with the poor QC in the design area there.

You can fit it with the 90 degree offset adapter that they used on some 88-98 body style GM 4x4 trucks and an even smaller filter but I don't know if the adapter will clear your headers. It is kind of wide at the top and may hit that tube.

S10's with the 4.3 engine received a remote oil filter setup that should clear well too and they are very common. Much more so than the 90 degree offset mount plus they fit the larger oil filters. Some even have plumbing provisions for an external oil cooler built into the filter mount. I would go that route if the PH30 filter does not work.

If you can't find one of the S10 setups in your area I will get you one and ship it to you for just the postage cost.

[eightbanger]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Considering they are headers for a Chevelle... I don't think they test fit them for a truck. Depending on the angle where they hit the frame is also why the might be hitting the oil filter.

One thing about these old rigs is making things fit the way we want them. Even if it means using parts made for other vehicles. It does suck that that the OP is across the Atlantic Ocean and has all the shipping costs to incur along with limited availability with a lot of parts over in the UK. I hope he can get it all sorted out for his truck. I think it's cool as all get out that some cats in other countries are fixing up these trucks.

One thing about headers... I have a buddy building a wicked Pro Street 1967 Camaro with a 8-71 Blown 496 BBC. He has custom rack and pinion steering in with a custom steering shaft as well. Also, it and tubular control arms. I stopped by his place one day and he was sitting there on his shop stool with the drivers side header in his lap looking at the engine compartment. He had the front sheet metal (front clip) removed from the car. He had just received his new custom made headers from Lemons Headers the day prior. I asked him, "Whatcha doin' Barry?" He looked at me, then looked at the car... looked back at me and sadly said, "Contemplating cutting up a $3,000 dollar set of headers to make 'em fit around this f#@%$!% steering shaft."

After 3 months... he did end up cutting them and refabricating them to make them fit.

Gary

Gary your story about your buddy pondering wether or not to beat on his expensive brand new headers cheared me up somewhat, as it's exactly what I was considering, and because of that I was feeling like a fool for having made this expensive mistake, now I know it happens to even the most professional builders.

Originally Posted by 68 TT

I just noticed you have the engine in the forward set of mounting holes on the frame. Move it back about 2-1/2" to the next hole rearward and it should cure all your frame & A-arm clearance issues. The frame transitions from just over 28" wide up front to 34" wide out back so the further back you set the engine the more frame rail clearance you will have.

The oil filter issue will still be present though. You can run the shorter PH30 filter that they used on the 80's & 90's cars in place of the taller PH5 filter. That is probably the one they used for the basis of their design instead of the taller one that is correct to the application. My Malibu small block headers are the same way but even worse. The side of the short filter body hits one of the tubes. It really sucked to have to dent a set of Jet Hot coated headers to make an oil filter fit. That never should have needed to be done just like your oil filter clearance issue. They are a different brand of header so it is not just Hooker with the poor QC in the design area there.

You can fit it with the 90 degree offset adapter that they used on some 88-98 body style GM 4x4 trucks and an even smaller filter but I don't know if the adapter will clear your headers. It is kind of wide at the top and may hit that tube.

S10's with the 4.3 engine received a remote oil filter setup that should clear well too and they are very common. Much more so than the 90 degree offset mount plus they fit the larger oil filters. Some even have plumbing provisions for an external oil cooler built into the filter mount. I would go that route if the PH30 filter does not work.

If you can't find one of the S10 setups in your area I will get you one and ship it to you for just the postage cost.

Thank you 68 TT for the very kind offer and advice, but I have bit the bullet on this one and ordered a set of Sanderson BB8's, I hope to god they fit like a glove or you'll hear me turn the air blue from there.