Headers VS Manifolds?

[mattpiotr]

im running flowmaster original 40s im getting sick of the headers always leaking or spark plug getting burnt, id like to switch to manifolds but i really dont want to loose that good sound? will i really notice that much of a difference in sound and performance? its on a 350 v8

[86 K-10]

use good gaskets, cut the flanges, and use exhaust wrap. my plain-jane steel ones are wrapped and sealed and they run cooler than my manifolds used to. no leaks, no burnt plugs

[kelsfine69]

Im gonna try it but not for a few months yet...Your right headers can be a pita on a driver

[andrewmp6]

What brand headers are they?Cheap ones the main flange will bend with use making them leak.

[chevybuilder18]

header gaskets are just a pain, there meant for gasket matching which isnt needed really. Id look for the 6 piece manifold gaskets, they sit right in place on each set of ports. Ive heard these work better. Good luck!
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[chevybuilder18]

Originally Posted by chevybuilder18

header gaskets are just a pain, there meant for gasket matching which isnt needed really. Id look for the 6 piece manifold gaskets, they sit right in place on each set of ports. Ive heard these work better. Good luck!
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o Yea i know a solution to your plug wire problems, so ill qoute myself. If your plug wires are getting burnt, id suggest using a different wire holster, with a set of header wires. Save you some time and money go for ACCELs dual core header wires. A buddy of mine has headers on his nova, went a week with not noticing one of his wires was touching the header. Didnt do a thing.
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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Had some accel 8.8 race wires. They touched the headers for six months with no issues. Also look up REMFLEX gaskets. They will seal 100% of the time all the time. Cut your flanges to allow some flex. And use header lock washers.

If all this doesn't work and your headers aren't warped. I will eat my shoe!!
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[motornut]

Originally Posted by mattpiotr

im running flowmaster original 40s im getting sick of the headers always leaking or spark plug getting burnt, id like to switch to manifolds but i really dont want to loose that good sound? will i really notice that much of a difference in sound and performance? its on a 350 v8

I just put on 40s @2.25,changed to duals using manifolds,H pipe,on a 305,sounds good
I did grind out those nibs in the manifolds

[piecesparts]

Where are your leaks on the headers? I have been running headers on my trucks for years and I have found that I can control that problem by doing a couple of simple things. First I use either the copper header gaskets or a set of Felpro header gaskets that are coated with "Coppercoat" high temp sealer. It does work on the headers. I also use the gasket sealer on my collector gaskets and if I have to , I double up the gaskets at the bottom.

Now for a trick that I read in Hot Rod many years ago. Put teflon tape on your header bolts. This simple thing will keep your header bolts from backing out of the heads and when you want them out, the bolts will come out without a lot of effort. When you are ready to use them again, just clean the bolt with a wire brush and put more teflon tape on them. I can put a set of bolts in, heat up the engine and snug them one last time and they last for years. That is IF you have a good quality header flange on your headers to start with.