OK....Ramhorns or Headers?

[62lwbc10]

Hey guys Im sure there are some opinions out there. Im going to be dropping a new 350 crate motor (nothing crazy, maybe 300 HP) in my 58 TF. Truck has a freshly rebuilt TH 350 (can you say "chirp"?!?) and the original rear. Debating about the exhaust manifolds, not sure wether to go with ramhorns or headers. Really want headers but have hard a hard time finding out which will work with the original steering box. OK, lets hear what you have to say! Are there other considerations that perhaps Im not considering? THanks in advance to all of you....

mark

[Wrenchbender Ret]

For street use the ramhorns flow as good as headers. They are less troublesome & I think they look better. You can get the high temp. paint & paint them before you put them on. They are cheap & plentiful on the used market. You can buy New Corvette manifolds with the 2 1/2 in outlets for about $60 each.

[1project2many]

Quality cast iron manifolds will give least trouble for longest time.

I'm using cheapie Blackjack type headers removed from a '74 4wd K10 in 94 or 95. In order to make these last long term, I had new beads welded around each port then used a bridgeport to make the flanges and welds flat. Then I cut each flange into three sections so the metal at the siamesed center ports, which heats up more than the outer ports, could expand and contract without problems. Finally, at the collector I installed sintered iron doughnuts instead of gaskets. I've had no exhaust leaks or problems since putting the truck back on the road in '98.

HTH

[PurdueSD]

I went with ram horns after researching and finding about how many guys continually chase header leaks.

[OrrieG]

Rams horns on all my vehicles. less noise, less heat into the engine compartment, do not rust out or warp, no messing around with gaskets all the time. Someone already mentioned the repop 57 vette ones that are allowed to be used in stock racing classes. Unless you are running a radically cammed high rpm engine, turbo or supercharger, headers are more for show on a street rig. Depending on your motor mounts you can get them with a straight down or swept back discharge. Biggest negative is when the exhaust pipe studs break off, just use anti seize when you install them. POR-15 makes a great high temp coating that does not dust when applied like the rattle can stuff.

[meter swinger]

Ram horns on mine. Never had an issue and prefer the looks of them to headers.
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[62lwbc10]

Hey guys thanks for the great feedback. Yeah, I will go with ram horns. You guys mention they repop good ones for vettes? Interesting, I will have to look into this. Patrick, your engine looks great! Thanks all, Mark
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[crossfire84]

check out www.speedwaymotors.com

#930-0328

[Katrina/10]

I wouldn't put headers on anything.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I bought these for my 53 but they wouldn't work on my truck.
I never used them, still in original box. $100 + actual shipping (28 lbs) if you're interested.

[dubie]

Ram horns all the way for me too. I've run many cars and trucks with headers and I always replace them with manifolds. Less heat, less noise, less worry in general.
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[Katrina/10]

L98 Corvette manifolds on 55. Excellent access to everything, no leaks.

[_Ogre]

speedway has those rams horn 2.5'' for cheap, wish i'd had seen those when i built my truk

[Dr.Pepper]

Hello,

I am from Berlin / Germany and I'm new to this forum. I introduced myself here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=600749

So this will be my first post and I hope you understand my english.

I dredge up this thread because I have this discribed problem with the already installed headers and the stock manual steering gearbox. The header has contact to the gearbox and I assume thats why my gearbox got broken (because of the heat).
The truck is so hard to steer and the steering has so much play, that I want to build in a "new" used manual steering gearbox including the column.
But there will be still the problem with the headers. I like the idea of the ram horns. So I looked for some information about it. Are these the right ones on www.speedwaymotors.com ?

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Corvet...air,58966.html

I forgot to mentioned that I have a 327 cui motor from a 65 Corvette with Impala heads.

Thank you for your help and advices,

Ben

[Dr.Pepper]

I try to put on some fotos. I have no better ones at this time...

[_Ogre]

welcome to this forum dr pepper
task force truck came stock with sbc and used rams horn exhaust manifolds on them.
when i change my exhaust i will use the same manifold you posted from speedway motors
you can't beat that price, how ever you will probably pay as much for shipping.

[mr48chev]

Ben you would probably gain some room and get a bit of heat away from the steering by going with ram horn manifolds that dumped straight down.

Early 70's Chevy pickups had some that had the flange for the pipe angled back and looking at it I am not sure the left side one would be any help. They look like this Dorman 674-201 Exhaust Manifold : Amazon.com :...
This is the listing for the 57 style manifolds Amazon.com: Dorman 674-503 Exhaust Manifold:...Note both listings show left, right or a pair.

The 62-63 Corvette manifolds have 2-1/2 inch ceter dump to work with larger pipes Amazon.com: 1962-1963 Chevy Corvette Ram Rams...
If you have a parts store that sells parts for American cars you may be able get the manifolds through them by using the Dorman parts numbers. The other option is finding them used from your normal used American vehicle parts sources.

[custom97]

Would these ram horns work for my 86 305 engine. Would like to get rid of my oem. Anyone out there with these manifolds on their 73-86 model trucks?

[Dr.Pepper]

Thanks for the fast answers!
The shipping should not be that much expensive. I have a shipping address in California from where a friend organizes a container shipping to Germany.
@Mr48chev
Are the dorman ram horns 674-503 the same like the ones I postet from speedway?

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by custom97

Would these ram horns work for my 86 305 engine. Would like to get rid of my oem. Anyone out there with these manifolds on their 73-86 model trucks?

all sbc have the same bolt pattern for exhaust manifolds, yes they will fit
265 to 400 small block are all the same

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

I wouldn't put headers on anything.

.................. Including someone else engine, go for the ram horn's or the 70's truck or Camaro cast iron ones