Headers for a 350 in an '86 2WD LWB

[mercman1951]

Alright, I did a search first, but didn't really find the info I was looking for. The stock manifolds on my 350 are wasted. The passenger side is leaking bad, but the bolts are so crusty, I know they won't come off without a fight/destroying them and having to redo them on the bench. It has a cobbled-together dual exhaust setup on it now as it is...and I already bought a replacement exhaust kit...but now that I look at it, I was thinking about maybe springing for some decent headers and making it easy on myself.

Now, bear in mind, I hate cheap headers as a rule. But I don't want to spend $500 bucks on damn headers either. What have you guys used, that held up better than plain painted steel, that fit and worked and lasted reasonably well? I don't want to go the cheapo "hooker hedders" route, but I don't want to break the bank, either. I'm looking for people who have been satisfied with what they've used...tell your stories- good or bad!

Thanks!

[Srubydo1986]

hedman headers are what i run they are used and get the job done they are about 10+ years old and i have no idea what they came from all i know they were in my dads old stock of parts.

[Captkaos]

You get what you pay for, if you want good headers, they are going to cost you. I have had good luck with dynomax, Sanderson and hooker. If they are $100 or less, I would avoid them.

[benoit454]

I ran a set of cheapo dynomax painted headers on 2 trucks for over 10 years. Had them on a 76 short bed 2wd for a long time it had a 350, then put them on the 86 short bed 4x4 we had, when it had a 305 for a year or so, then swapped it for a 350 and used the same headers.

FYI summit racing had a dual exhaust kit with headers for like $250.

If you want some that look good get ceramic coated ones or stainless.

[beaterC10]

I have a set of ugly cheapo Dynomax headers on my lowered daily driver. I drive the truck everday winter included. I am happy with them. I can get 5-6 years driving on salted winter roads before the collectors rot off.

[liljon285]

I got flowtechs.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

I think mine are the $99 Flowtech Autozone specials. They dont use salt down here in the winters, so no rust yet. In fact the paint is still on the tubes and the new steel exhaust pipes have no surface rust yet either.

[canadianc-10]

cheap ol flowtechs till motors broke in, then maybe summit ceramics

[Srubydo1986]

what how did you get the paint to stay on as soon as i started my chevelle i burned the paint right off of those things. that why im going to rape them in exaust tape.

[Pyrotechnic]

It seems like long tube headers for a 2WD 73-87 are all the same as far as bends go. I bought a set of Dynomax, and they looked exactly like the crusty headers of unknown origin that came on the truck. My buddy had a set of flow techs and they are the same design as well. Plug access is pretty bad on the number 3 spark plug. You gotta have straight plug heads. The plug access is great on the passenger side, with straight or angle plugs. On the drivers side with straight plugs, it's a real tight, and angle plugs won't even work, just because of the #3 spark plug.

[Srubydo1986]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

It seems like long tube headers for a 2WD 73-87 are all the same as far as bends go. I bought a set of Dynomax, and they looked exactly like the crusty headers of unknown origin that came on the truck. My buddy had a set of flow techs and they are the same design as well. Plug access is pretty bad on the number 3 spark plug. You gotta have straight plug heads. The plug access is great on the passenger side, with straight or angle plugs. On the drivers side with straight plugs, it's a real tight, and angle plugs won't even work, just because of the #3 spark plug.

Yea i saw that when i did the chevelle heads Cars been sitting for 3 years so exscuse the well everything. But what i found out was to get them i used one swivel extention plus an extention that allows the socket to move then socket and it work out very easily. Jus thought id give you a heads up.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Well, I was wrong, theres a slight amount of surface rust down on the collector areas but still hardly that bad. I was looking under it yesterday to check the tasilshaft on my turbo 350 which is dieing. Pipes are still shiny though.

[mercman1951]

Anyone find any "shorty" style headers that fit? All that I can find is listed for the '88-up trucks. While I am on that subject, what is the major difference between the trucks that makes them have one set for the '73-87, and then '88-up?

I think the shorty style would live longer here in Michigan. Painted steel long-tubes are good for maybe 2 years before they are rotted out.

[Pyrotechnic]

I have some Dynomax ceramic coated long tubes and I previously had some Flowtech long tubes. Both seem to have the exact same pipe design. The passenger side has great plug access, but on the driver side, the #3 spark plug is real close to a pipe and makes things tough. You can forget about angle plug heads with these headers.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by mercman1951

Anyone find any "shorty" style headers that fit? All that I can find is listed for the '88-up trucks. While I am on that subject, what is the major difference between the trucks that makes them have one set for the '73-87, and then '88-up?

Edelbrock makes shorties for our trucks as do others I am sure. The ones I looked at were emissions legal too.
The frames are different on the '88+ trucks. I believe the rails are wider spaced. You MIGHT be able to mount 73-87 on a newer truck but I think going the other way doesn't work.

[knightlife]

if I ever pull my head outta my azz...I plan on getting a set of the edel shawdies...

[Eyegore]

[QUOTE=kevinr1970;2377443]Edelbrock makes shorties for our trucks as do others I am sure. The ones I looked at were emissions legal too.


Check the LMC catalog for the shorties.