A header question with a twist

[MikeB]

My truck is a 1969 C10 with 350 mounted in the forward location from the factory. I know this because am the second owner and the truck was bone stock with a 307 when I bought.

Seems like just about any header will work with the engine mounted in the rear location, but I'm not sure about frame rail clearance when the engine is mounted 2.5" forward.

Background: Many years ago, I bought some Hedmans that required frame rail clearance. Hedman even sent me another pair at no charge, but they had the same problem. I suspect their test truck had the mounts in the rear location, and they had no idea that 1969-72 2wd trucks (or at least some of them) had the engine mounted forward.

It's been many years, but I do remember speaking with a Hedman guy who said they were making a model that would work with both engine locations. So, they understood the issue.

Anyway, I am now looking at Doug's D-371Y Tri-Y headers to replace 2" rams horns. Has anyone used these in a truck with the engine mounted forward? If not, can anyone recommend a header that will work for me?

[70STOVEBOLT]

Maybe headers for a Chevelle? I used big block Chevelle Hedders on my 402 with no clearance issues. I also tucked my exhaust inside the frame rails though.

[pjmoreland]

I have a 350 mounted in the forward position with an automatic transmission. After reading countless reviews of many different headers on Summit, I went with Hedman 62010 mid-length headers, and they fit without any interference issues.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-62010

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I have a 350 mounted in the forward position with an automatic transmission.

That's the kind of info I was looking for. Lots of clearance on the passengers side! Can you post a "top view" picture of the drivers side?

[pjmoreland]

Here's a top view of the driver side.

[MikeB]

Thanks. Those Hedmans should work just fine for my mild 350.

[pjmoreland]

They also make them in other materials and coatings.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

They also make them in other materials and coatings.

Yes, looks to be the 690xx part numbers. But I'll probably spring for the stainless model. This truck has been in the family for 33 years, and I expect it will be with us (me, son, grandson) for another 20-30 years. So I'll pay a little more now so we don't have deal with rust or flaking coatings down the road. I'd rather have discolored stainless any day!

[pjmoreland]

That was my thought as well

[MikeB]

My engine also has a GM permanent magnet starter, so I should have better clearance on that side.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Pat -- Are your headers coated?

[KQQL IT]

I can't say whether or not that header will work.
But the dougs headers are nice . Tri Y on our 454 and haven't touched them in 5 years
And their 4-1 on a sbc in a squarebody and same story.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Pat -- Are your headers coated?

They are just bare stainless steel. They will discolor over time, but they should outlast the truck.

[pjmoreland]

There are some Summit-brand full length stainless headers that are a good price and have decent reviews. Mid-length Sanderson headers also have good reviews on Summit.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

They are just bare stainless steel. They will discolor over time, but they should outlast the truck.

There's this stuff Eastwood sells called Calyx [or similar] that's supposed to make your day if you rub in into metals that go overtemperature. Maybe more for cast iron, but I wouldn't think it would hurt SS at all.

[HalfBrit]

Hey Mike. I have the Doug's 371Y on my '70 C10, also an original 307 truck. I'll post some pics of frame clearance on both sides and the ground clearance below the frame. Years back (before I started down the rabbit hole of a frame off restoration I was running full length Hedman's. They fit perfect, with no clearance issues, but the collectors pointed at different angles causing ground clearance problems, especially on the passenger side. I eventually swapped them out for Sanderson block huggers. I should add this was originally a 3OTT which complicated (extra crossmember/z-bar) the header selection a bit more. Also running a gear reduction starter, like the one in your post.

[HalfBrit]

Let me know if you need other pics.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

Hey Mike. I have the Doug's 371Y on my '70 C10, also an original 307 truck.

Those are beauties! How long ago did you buy them? And how's the coating holding up?

I ask because after I started this thread I read a D371Y review somewhere by a very unhappy buyer (can't remember where) who said the welding quality and finish were terrible. Back around 2016, a Pertronix guy told me Doug's and Patriot headers were made in the same Mexico factory just south of San Diego. I don't know when they moved manufacturing from California, but maybe the quality suffered.

Whatever I decide on, I'll buy from Summit because their Arlington, TX store is less than an hour from my house, which makes returns easy.

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

Years back (before I started down the rabbit hole of a frame off restoration I was running full length Hedmans. They fit perfect, with no clearance issues, but the collectors pointed at different angles causing ground clearance problems, especially on the passenger side.

Yeah, the Hedman long-tube "Elite" headers I mentioned in the first post above had the same problem back around 2001! You can see in the picture that the passenger side collector still points upwards too much. Don't know what the heck they are thinking! I mean, we here have a company that's been in business forever and they can't get headers for popular trucks right???

[HalfBrit]

Never could understand the offset angle, left to right. There's literally nothing in the way to prevent them being even. As far as Doug's, I purchased them 2 years ago. I can't speak to the finish (Ceramic coated) durability because the truck is still "in process". Probably will be for some time, lol. I can say the quality of the welds and finish look good and I'm very pleased at the fitment. There's just a slight difference in left to right collector height. One thing that may or may not matter to you, these headers have 2-1/2" collectors. Most full length headers have 3" collectors.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

One thing that may or may not matter to you, these headers have 2-1/2" collectors. Most full length headers have 3" collectors.

Thanks for your comments. 2-1/2" collectors are OK with me. I'm not sure it makes much difference performance-wise with my mild engine and 2-1/4" exhaust pipes.

[special-K]

I haven't seen anyone post that these trucks with v8 all came with the engine only in one position. If a V8 is in the rear location then it is a V8 swapped 6 cylinder truck. I have never heard of headers made for these trucks, which have been made as long as I can remember (long time), not clearing the frame. I have used many brands, never had a problem with fitment. I'm surprised to see there is a fitment problem here.

[pjmoreland]

About 20 years ago I installed a set of full-length Hooker headers on my old '67 and ran into fitment issues with the frame rails. The '67 frame rails don't have as much clearance as '68-up frames though. When I was looking for my current headers, I read several Summit reviews of various brands and models of headers with fitment issues on 67-72s. Most issues had to do with frame rail, engine support, and even transmission clearance.

[special-K]

I haven't bought a set of headers in years. I guess things have gone downhill. The headers (Headman Torque-Steps) on my '72 I bought in '04. I also bought a coated set of Elites that summer I haven't used yet, but had fitted up to check. Also picked up a set of Sanderson block huggers off the parts board I might use for the '67. Those have been fitted up as well. I was surprised those cleared the motor mounts on a 2wd

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by special-K

I haven't seen anyone post that these trucks with v8 all came with the engine only in one position. If a V8 is in the rear location then it is a V8 swapped 6 cylinder truck. I have never heard of headers made for these trucks, which have been made as long as I can remember (long time), not clearing the frame. I have used many brands, never had a problem with fitment. I'm surprised to see there is a fitment problem here.

Man, I've been hearing about interference problems since I bought the Hedman Elites I mentioned in Post #1 more than 20 years ago. I suggest you google something like "67-72 Chevy Pickup header issues." And also read the feedback at Summit Racing and other vendors.

Also, I thought V8s in 4WD trucks were mounted in the rear position. And that's why part numbers for 2WD and 4WD fan shrouds are different. Am I mistaken here?

You can see where I had to notch the lower part of the frame rail to clear those Hedmans. Also had to do a smaller notch on the passengers side a little bit further forward.

So here's a first for you!

[special-K]

I wasn't doubting you were having clearance problems. It certainly is odd that Headman wouldn't have corrected that. I've never used the Elites but I thought that's what the ones I haven't used yet were. But those are 4wd, so must just be 2wd header fitment issues. I don't recall ever reading about fitment problems here. Lots of clutch linkage and ground clearance threads. I haven't been shopping, so not reading reviews. Not sure why you'd bring up 4wd engine position. Your truck is a C/10, right? The main purpose of my post was to clarify that ALL V8s in 2wds came with engine towers in the forward position. The rear position is the 6cyl location in 2wds.