Header Owners...Question About Them

[69sixpackbee]

I am contemplating putting a set of headers on my 402 camper-hauling-around truck but am a little hesitant in doing so. Are the performance increases really worth the addition on a stock engine or is it a waste of time and money? My 402 has a "grunt" cam and an Edelbrock Performer intake w/stock Q'jet. It is a 4-speed with dual 2 1/2" exhausts. I know from experience that headers are a leaking PITA if not "kept up" on not to mention the added under hood temperature. What I do know is that on an even mildly built engine the performance increase is noticable but as long as the jetting is fattened up and the engine can breathe well by virtue of increased valve timing then it is a worth while investment. I just don't want the headache of fitment problems or negligeable performance increases if I am going through the trouble of buying them, putting them on and having to keep them sealed. Please guide me in the direction I need to go.
Thanx!

[jku72]

I think they are worth it. As for upkeep, I have had my Hooker super comps on for 5 years, and have done zero maintenence and had zero trouble. To me, the trick is getting the bolts done right the first time. There are lots of fancy locks out there, but being a cheapskate, I just took my bolts that were supplied with the headers, laid them on a steel bench, then gave each a medium whack to flatten one side of the threads. I've never had one back out by doing this.

My Longhorn in my sig is the truck I'm talking about, with a 402 as well.

[69sixpackbee]

Did you notice a diff. in performance? Gas mileage?

[jku72]

Yes, especially when hauling up hills with a big load. I also was able to advance the timing a little, and that helped some as well. By going with an "h" pipe shortly after the collectors, I also gained a little. I wouldn't say gains were huge, but overall, worth it.

[jku72]

BTW, with this setup, I was able to average 14.5 mpg going from colorado to Maine, with turbo 400 and 4:10 gears, although I kept rpm's below 3200, so I was averaging 55-60 mph, which in todays world, is slow. That was with a minimal load of sheetmetal parts.

[da-burb]

I didn't notice a thing when I put headers. No better, no worse. Just more maintenance. Mine lasted 2 years and the cast iron manifolds went back on and they haven't been touched for 7 years.

[Longhorn Man]

As for fitment and maintnance issues, the more you spend on headers, the better they will fit. Seems obvilouse, but this is an area where the expensive headers really shine. I had some $99 headers once, and they were a huge PITA...now I have hooker super comps, and they are awsome. I'll never use cheap headers again.
As for leaks, I never have problems with mine. I placed a set of the dead soft alluminum collector gaskets on mine years ago, and have bolted and unbolted them so many times I have lost count. (no joke) I actually had them on the $99 headers, and then put them on these hookers...still no problems with leaks.
Up top, i use manifld gaskets and again, no problems. I have tightened my header bolts maybe 3 times in the last 4 years.

[69sixpackbee]

Well then that settles it...the iron logs stay on!
Thanx guys!