What headers work well on 4x4's

[TATE228]

Hi i have a 71' k20 with a 350 and a 4 speed. Which headers are you guys running with this setup. thanks.

[dammitmitchell]

im running full length headers, although it was a pain to get the tubing in correctly (without hitting the t case etc..) it works for me..

ive heard that shortys are better (mroe room for your bend)
but.. im not experienced with them..

[Captainfab]

The Headman #69230's are supposed (Ihaven't bought mine yet) to be the best for a 4x. They don't hit the shackle bolt on the pass side. That part number is for the plain black ones, they are available in the Elite series also.

[Mrwlliam]

Im running headmen headers... Remember... pain to get to the drivers side rear SPark plug with them... haha.. im not sure what number that is

[special-K]

You need to look at the driver side header and see if the rear tube goes straight down or slightly forward.Then you`re fine for a manual transmission.Remember,you can always relocate the z-bar mount on the frame back a little if it`s too tight.i`ve cut one arm off and rewelded to clear headers before.IMO,anything less than a full length header is a waste of time.In 2wd automatics the angled 3/4 length car type are worthy.Doug`s Tri-Ys work and so do Headman Elites.I`ve been told Hooker Super Comps work,too.

[teamradrz1]

I have NOS hooker super comps from back in 1977 that were made for 67-72 chevy GMC truck/blazer/burb AT or Manual I want to get them ceramic coated before installing them.

[RED72blazer]

I've got hooker headers on my blazer. It's an auto. No real fitment issues. My buddies 71 k20 4-speed has tons of fitment issues. the collector flange is very close to the shackle and the clutch linkage had to be modified to fit.

[TATE228]

thanks for the input guys. Im glad i didn't just buy some $90 summit headers.

[TATE228]

Has anyone had any luck with block huggers. I have a set of cracked ram horns and kinda want to go headers.

[special-K]

IMO block huggers are a waste of time.Might as well run manifolds.Block huggers were concieved for street rods running V8s in narrow`30s car frames.

[Billhilly]

Better late than never??
I've got Hedman 69830's on my K2500 (with an auto). Same as the 69280's but coated etc I believe. Fit is great, tighter against the chassis on the drivers side. Clears the shackle bolt on the passenger side by 1/2". Don't know how they would go with a manual.

[TATE228]

Cool the pics are a great help. Is there anyone with a 4 speed with pictures?

[TATE228]

it sure is tempting to get a set of summit headers and and hack as necessary.

[Captainfab]

Do you happen to have a pic from the side of the drivers side so we can see if there is clearence for a bellcrank for a manual trans?

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Better late than never??
I've got Hedman 69830's on my K2500 (with an auto). Same as the 69280's but coated etc I believe. Fit is great, tighter against the chassis on the drivers side. Clears the shackle bolt on the passenger side by 1/2". Don't know how they would go with a manual.

[Billhilly]

Quite a bit of chassis in the way. Let me know if there is anything more specific you want me to take photo's of or some measurements you want me to take.

[Captainfab]

Thanks very much for the pics. What I was mainly after was a shot like this pic but up at the level of the top of the frame.


I'm just curious to see (I'm sure others are as well) if these headers will work with a manual trans. The main item of concern is the #7 exhaust tube and if it curves far enough forward to clear the bellcrank. In the pics you've posted so far, it appears as they will work, but one more pic might remove the doubt.....that is if you don't mind

Are you familar with where the bellcrank goes with a manual trans?

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Quite a bit of chassis in the way. Let me know if there is anything more specific you want me to take photo's of or some measurements you want me to take.

[Billhilly]

Unfortunately I don't know what the bellcrank looks like. Fat lot of use I am! Got a picture?
These shot's any better?

[Burt4x4]

When I had a 350 & manual linkage I ran Hedmen. First set was the cheeper ones and after a while they warped and even with two gaskets I could not get them to not leak.
The pic above is Hedmen Elite series = MUCH better, way thick flanges to prevent warping. In the pic above look closly at the frame bracket the Z-bar mounts too. I had to drill a hole just to the right of the factory location to move the Z-bar towards the firewal just a bit. This did not affect the Z-bar's function and my manual linkage worked fine.
I would go with Hedmen Elites, the collectors clear and they tuck up nice and high away from trail obsiticales.

I have a 454 now and run Thorley's with Hydrolic clutch so no linkage to worry about.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Unfortunately I don't know what the bellcrank looks like. Fat lot of use I am! Got a picture?
These shot's any better?

Yes those help a lot thank you very much. The bellcrank stud normally threads in here where the arrow is. Your SB400 doesn't have the holes drilled and tapped because SB400's typically didn't come from the factory with manual transmissions. You can see a bit more what it looks like in Burt's pic.

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

When I had a 350 & manual linkage I ran Hedmen. First set was the cheeper ones and after a while they warped and even with two gaskets I could not get them to not leak.
The pic above is Hedmen Elite series = MUCH better, way thick flanges to prevent warping. In the pic above look closly at the frame bracket the Z-bar mounts too. I had to drill a hole just to the right of the factory location to move the Z-bar towards the firewal just a bit. This did not affect the Z-bar's function and my manual linkage worked fine.
I would go with Hedmen Elites, the collectors clear and they tuck up nice and high away from trail obsiticales.

I have a 454 now and run Thorley's with Hydrolic clutch so no linkage to worry about.

Thank you very much for the pic and the info Burt. The headman book states that these headers may not work with a manual trans. I'm glad to see that it is possible......looks like I'll be getting a set for my '68.