Best Headers for a SBC....??

[C20-67_N_MO]

Okay since I am ditching my 6 cylinder and going Small Block Chevy. I need to start shopping for a high quality set of headers.

What is everyone using that:

1. Looks great
2. Holds up with the the finish the header came with.
3. Has not had any major issues with leaking.

I am there there are other issues but these are what comes to mind.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[culp7]

Keep the6 and hooker for sbc

[chris71]

pretty much any long tube header you will have problems with leaking, in my experience, but use good quality gaskets (not the paper ones they give you), lock washers on your collector bolts and i even use the fancy locking bolts for the header to the cylinder head (these things will help reduce leaks). be careful not to overtighten the colector bolts as you dont want to bend the flanges (then you will always have problems with leaks). i have used dynomax and hooker comps before with a jet-hot style coating and havent had any luck with the coatings, every 1.5 to 2 years they rust out (but i drive my cars and there is a lot of humidity here in MD), their lifetime warranty is BS, they will only re-coat them once, wich i did, same result, now i just sandblast the coating off and paint them with a high temp header paint. i have friends with stainless headers (PRICEY) and they blue sorta like chrome headers. maybe some guys have had better luck with a different company's coating, but i consider a good coating that wont rust out or flake off or change colors to be the mythical unicorn

[big_al_71]

If you buy cheap junk headers they will leak, fade, rust etc. I went with Doug Thorley full lenght header and have been in my truck over a year and I have had ZERO issues....


Call Nick at doug thorley he will give you a great price mention the forum...

[smoky02]

I have hooker ceramic coated headers and i've never had a problem with them leaking, but they do have a little rust on them, which aggrivates me.

[rico7769]

i run hookers too. I have had to the clean the down and recoat them once and have had good luck with it so far. Good investment with the collector bolts and locking header bolts. I used racing/perf gaskets to eliminate leaks that I got with the felpro paper gaskets. Costly (time wise) mistake. Invest in good parts and do it once the right way.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Would like to have a high quality header that looks great and performs just as well.

To me it's either Hooker (been around forever) or might look into Doug Thortley. Big Al those headers look great on your engine!

Thanks for sharing.

Any more with other brands out there?

Please share!

[unclewatts]

I'm running Hedman headers. I cheaped out and just got the painted ones and after a few drives the paint all burned off. When I first installed them, I tightened them down, then a few days later I tightened them again. About a week later I tightened them a final time. This was over a year ago and I haven't touched them since and no leaks. I guess I should probably recheck them one a year.

[Jokers69]

We are building headers for these trucks you can check them out here
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=314836

[nastyc10]

I've been really happy with my sanderson ceramic coated shorties.

[C20-67_N_MO]

nastyc10 - I need to state that my truck will have a static 5" drop in the rear (LWB) and 2-3" static with 2.5" drop spindles in the front.

So shorties sounds like the route I need to be taking.

Any pictures of these style headers?

If so please share as I want the best that I can afford with ZERO coating failure. AND/OR one helluva warranty.

[Mudder]

I have been using manifold gaskets for years and cutting the flanges on my SBC running Hookers. Before I started cutting the flanges I had all sorts of problems with bolts backing out and leaks. I have never had a problem with collector leaks. I use stainless bolts on my headers and you can't tighten them like you can the steel bolts so it really tests the warpage theory. Here's where you cut them.

Oh and I had my headers done at Airborne Coatings in Oklahoma and after talking to them, you can clean their headers just like you would aluminum wheels. They told me to use a very fine scotch brite pad. (I melted a mechanic glove on mine.) I wouldn't get carried away with it. Here is where I cut my flanges. Stock manifold gaskets.

[VA72C10]

If you are wanting shorter headers and want to save some money, look up chevelle headers on ebay. around 200 shipped for ceramic coated...
You will need to modify the pipe coming out of the collector to a 45 degree angle to tuck the exhaust up tight, but that's a small price to pay for the initial low cost of these.

[nastyc10]

Originally Posted by C20-67_N_MO

nastyc10 - I need to state that my truck will have a static 5" drop in the rear (LWB) and 2-3" static with 2.5" drop spindles in the front.

So shorties sounds like the route I need to be taking.

Any pictures of these style headers?

If so please share as I want the best that I can afford with ZERO coating failure. AND/OR one helluva warranty.

Here's the only pic I have. I got them from Early classic Ent. They have more info on them. I've had zero problems with the coating, no coloring or rust.

[mclairmo]

I just spoke to a Camaro owner at a car show that had fairly new Hookers and one tube was leaking where it was welded to the flange that bolts to the head. I have ceramic coated Walker Dynomax headers that are 15 years old and no leaks and the bolts never loosened on me. Cousin has Hookers and loves them, no issues. Another buddy went with Hookers and no issues.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Originally Posted by Mudder

I have been using manifold gaskets for years and cutting the flanges on my SBC running Hookers. Before I started cutting the flanges I had all sorts of problems with bolts backing out and leaks. I have never had a problem with collector leaks. I use stainless bolts on my headers and you can't tighten them like you can the steel bolts so it really tests the warpage theory. Here's where you cut them.

I like this idea....a lot!

Oh and I had my headers done at Airborne Coatings in Oklahoma and after talking to them, you can clean their headers just like you would aluminum wheels. They told me to use a very fine scotch brite pad. (I melted a mechanic glove on mine.) I wouldn't get carried away with it. Here is where I cut my flanges. Stock manifold gaskets.

Again this seems like a very good suggestion.

Originally Posted by VA72C10

If you are wanting shorter headers and want to save some money, look up chevelle headers on ebay. around 200 shipped for ceramic coated...
You will need to modify the pipe coming out of the collector to a 45 degree angle to tuck the exhaust up tight, but that's a small price to pay for the initial low cost of these.

$200 and Ceramic Coating!

Very Nice. Thank you very much for sharing.

Originally Posted by nastyc10

Here's the only pic I have. I got them from Early classic Ent. They have more info on them. I've had zero problems with the coating, no coloring or rust.

Are yours' Shorties or Long Tubes?

Originally Posted by mclairmo

I just spoke to a Camaro owner at a car show that had fairly new Hookers and one tube was leaking where it was welded to the flange that bolts to the head. I have ceramic coated Walker Dynomax headers that are 15 years old and no leaks and the bolts never loosened on me. Cousin has Hookers and loves them, no issues. Another buddy went with Hookers and no issues.

See! To me Hooker has been making headers since before I was born.

Thanks guys for sharing all your information, this helps me once I get to this stage on my build. All I can tell you at this point is what I have already shared.

It will be a Small Block Chevy that will be sitting bewteen the frame rails of this '67 Long Wheel Base Pickup.

[nastyc10]

shorties

[C20-67_N_MO]

Originally Posted by nastyc10

shorties

What brand are you using?

[lilred67]

sanderson shorty headers. great finish,fit, and no leaks. 3/8" flanges, 2 1/2" collectors, coated. around $400.00 shipped.

[chevy_mike]

Question, those with the Sanderson/ECE headers, do you have any clearance issues with spark plug boots or removing the spark plugs?

I keep thinking of going that route but haven't really read anything talking about clearences with the plugs, only great clearence regarding the frame and ground.

Thanks.

[C20-67_N_MO]

I almost looked into some angle plug heads but just knew they would present more problems for clearance issues between the frame rails.

lilred67 those look like descent headers but what kind of coating is on those Sandersons?

Thanks for sharing!

[C20-67_N_MO]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

If you buy cheap junk headers they will leak, fade, rust etc. I went with Doug Thorley full lenght header and have been in my truck over a year and I have had ZERO issues....


Call Nick at doug thorley he will give you a great price mention the forum...

How much drop do you have in the front end of your truck?

[big_al_71]

I have a four/six ECE kit....

[C20-67_N_MO]

You get the Chrome or other one?

they look great for over a years worth of driving.

[lilred67]

Originally Posted by C20-67_N_MO

I almost looked into some angle plug heads but just knew they would present more problems for clearance issues between the frame rails.

lilred67 those look like descent headers but what kind of coating is on those Sandersons?

Thanks for sharing!

the coating on them is the only one sanderson/ece offers. clearence is a little tight on #6, unless you put them on an engine that likes to eat plugs i don't think it's that much of an issue.