Manual 4 speed headers

[muley]

Greetings all;
I have 1969 chevy pickup, 350 and sm 465 trans with manual clutch linkage. Is there a good fit header for this application so the clutch linkage works, or should I stay with the stock manifolds?

[meangreen72gmc]

I had to put a bend in the z bracket and also a slight bow in the push rod to get my headers to clear. Its a trial and error process. Doesn't take too much bend in the push rod. Too much and it will be rubbing the oil filter. I used summit brand long tubes.

[BLT gmc]

I used JBA 1815 on my 69 GMC K10. They fit excellent. I am not much help for the 2WD. Bruce

[landy]

I vote for keeping the stock manifolds. Seems like the headers I've had always leaked somewhere. I suspect the performance gains would be marginal with headers over stock manifolds unless you've got a "hot" engine.

[rwolf9653]

Originally Posted by meangreen72gmc

I had to put a bend in the z bracket and also a slight bow in the push rod to get my headers to clear. Its a trial and error process. Doesn't take too much bend in the push rod. Too much and it will be rubbing the oil filter. I used summit brand long tubes.

Interesting. I was able to put on summit long tubes with no modifications at all, but I am what feels like the 8000th owner of the truck.

[meangreen72gmc]

Originally Posted by rwolf9653

Interesting. I was able to put on summit long tubes with no modifications at all, but I am what feels like the 8000th owner of the truck.

2wd or 4? Mines 4 and I didn't have to put much bend at all. Just a little tweak

[Lattimer]

I did the summit long tubes http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g9006-9

Fit good except I had to modify the z-bar. My small block is in the L-6 position, and the Z-bar is still in the L-6 mount and the swivel ball is threaded directly into the block. I think if everything was in the V-8 I'd have more room and the z-bar would clear.

I had to move the bottom arm over about 2" and bend the rod going down to the clutch arm. Not bad for a bastardized truck.

[meangreen72gmc]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

I did the summit long tubes http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g9006-9

Fit good except I had to modify the z-bar. My small block is in the L-6 position, and the Z-bar is still in the L-6 mount and the swivel ball is threaded directly into the block. I think if everything was in the V-8 I'd have more room and the z-bar would clear.

I had to move the bottom arm over about 2" and bend the rod going down to the clutch arm. Not bad for a bastardized truck.

Sounds like we used the same exact headers and had to do the same exact modifications. Not a problem at all as long as you have a vice, hammer, and heat(optional).

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by meangreen72gmc

Sounds like we used the same exact headers and had to do the same exact modifications. Not a problem at all as long as you have a vice, hammer, and heat(optional).

I actually cut the arm off, moved it over and welded it back on.

[meangreen72gmc]

I remember thinking about doing that but decided just to bend it at the base and straighten it back out at the tip because I didn't need it to move quite as much. But to the OP its not that hard either way. This is the route I would take if I had to do it all over again.

[muley]

Wow. Got super busy, but finally got back to this. Thanks to all for the help here. I was thinking back in the 1970's how everyone had car and motor parts laying around and you could just use your friends Impala or Camaro headers and see if you can make them fit. If you find something you like, he usually wanted an AFB carb or something and you were both happy. It was surprising how many different cars you could adapt a 327 into and make Impala headers work. Fun times!

[Swar]

If you're not set on long-tube headers, check out Tru-Ram headers from Speedway Motors. They won't interfere with the clutch linkage, and you can them in stainless steel if you want them to outlast the rest of the truck.