Headers

[chrismoore701]

I have a 79 C10 and looking to get headers. Should I buy ceramic coated? or buy painted and have ceramic coated. I heard the pre coated headers still rust.

thoughts?

[cadillac_al]

I always said I would buy my next set of headers from Jet Hot. I have Hedman ceramic coated headers and the ceramic flaked off in a few years. They are still very thick and heavy duty though and will last many years on a work truck. They fit good and don't leak so I'm still happy with them.

[blazer2007]

from what I understand is you have to brake in the heat cycle on the headers,not just put them on and go

[Dead Parrot]

I went with a ceramic coated budget brand 20+ years ago. Sadly, don't remember the brand. Purchased through JEGS. First set had matching poor leaking welds at the collectors. JEGS replaced but still a PITA to install, discover defect, arrange for RMA, uninstall, ship, wait, reinstall.

<edit add - Dynomax was the brand > Don't think they sell headers anymore.

2nd set didn't leak but had a not square #1 cylinder flange making the gasket match poor fit. Of course, that side has the AC compressor so a lot more trouble to replace gaskets.

Had frequent gasket leaks until got some of the copper manifold gaskets and had the exhaust shop simply weld the exhaust piping to the collector pipe. Been trouble free since.

Showing a bit of rust from road dings but still in good shape otherwise.

My take away from this is research fit and quality first then get the ceramic coated version of the model you select.

I don't remember there being any special break in required but it was 20+ years ago.

[chrismoore701]

I have a set of hookers on my truck now. 3 years and showing signs of rust. Not bad. but an 8 year frame off any rust sucks

[GRADYS Performance]

Any Header will Rust eventually. Painted, Plated or Ceramic coated. Ceramic would be the best choice but eventually they will rust or need to be coated again.

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by GRADYS Performance

Any Header will Rust eventually. Painted, Plated or Ceramic coated. Ceramic would be the best choice but eventually they will rust or need to be coated again.

I have Hooker stainless headers. Rust is not in the forecast.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

On cars especially F bodies never buy a pre coated pair. They rarely clear the steering box with out mods.

On the trucks SBC's never had this issues, but BBC's seem to have enough clearance. Never owned one as of yet.

I prefer jet hot for my headers or just plain stainless. With a truck you can get a cheap pair of Amazon headers, and just double copper gasket if need be. The truck has the largest frame width, and nothing in the way. So a cheap set of commonly available Camaro or Chevelle headers work perfect

I did this on a 4.6 I swapped into a F100 for a friend. The. Color change is neat,and no rust 4-5 years later.

[KQQL IT]

Doug's D310 spendy but fit perfectly

[cadillac_al]

If it's a show truck I would try some ebay stainless headers for $150 or so.