How satisifed are you with your headers

[Rick]

I am going to install headers on my truck and would like to know what brand of headers you are running and any positive or negative issues.
My Truck: 1968 2 wheel drive short wheel base F100, 390 engine with C8AE-H heads, C6 column shifted transmission, Bendix power steering gear and power brakes. Thank you in advance for taking time to respond.

[Joshpow]

I love my Dynomax. They seal great. The only problem is the small block clearance issues. All headers hit on a smallblock. I don't believe FE's or others have the problem. That isn't specific to brand of headers though. All have the same problems.

[td]

Rick,

i bought mine from summit, they are headman elite and ive been completely satisfied with them. of course im running a 302 but here's a link to the same header for your application. the ball and socket style flange seals great with no gasket to blow
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

mine.

[bumpside]

302 again, I bought the Sumit brand headers. They fit well without hitting anything. They seal well on the heads, no leaks.
And they are under $100.00 . The only improvment I would like is the ball and socket connection to the rest of the exhaost. The standaed flange works well and doesn't leak.

[Joshpow]

I like those balland flange! I may go for a set when I change mine. I guess clearance issues aren't as common as I thought. I was just going by what everyone told me. Oh well mark me up another wrong I guess.

[td]

I like those balland flange! I may go for a set when I change mine. I guess clearance issues aren't as common as I thought. I was just going by what everyone told me. Oh well mark me up another wrong I guess.

no josh your not wrong, ive had clearance problems with every set of small block headers ive put on these trucks. this set im running now was a nightmare for sure with the 3'' collectors.i Had to cut clearance in the cross member to put pipe on them.

[Joshpow]

I see! That's my plan too.

[My427stang]

Hedmans are where its at for these FE bumps.

I have run Hookers, Blackjack, Hedman, and Cyclones on our trucks, and the two Hedmans fit the best, followed by Hookers.

When mine was 302 powered, I had a set of Doug Thorleys, they were decent too, but not sure if they are around and I like the Hedmans too much to chance

[bumpside]

I like those balland flange! I may go for a set when I change mine. I guess clearance issues aren't as common as I thought. I was just going by what everyone told me. Oh well mark me up another wrong I guess.

no josh your not wrong, ive had clearance problems with every set of small block headers ive put on these trucks. this set im running now was a nightmare for sure with the 3'' collectors.i Had to cut clearance in the cross member to put pipe on them.

Mine cleared the first cross member right under the pan. However, I did have trouble with the pipes clearing the trans cross member. What I ended up doing was turning the trans crossmember upside down and bolting it to the bottom of the frame rail. I also had to weld a perch for the trans mount to bolt to so it would reach the trans again. It took maybe an hour to do it.

Sooooooo.... The headers did fit to the first cross member, but the exhaust pipes would not clear the trans cross member without fliping it over. My mistake

[rubiranch]

I am satisfied with the Hedmans on my 72. 390, C-6 and PS. They fit fine and were easy to install.

I am on my 4th set of Hedmans on my 79. They seem to last about 60,000 miles.

[td]

I like those balland flange! I may go for a set when I change mine. I guess clearance issues aren't as common as I thought. I was just going by what everyone told me. Oh well mark me up another wrong I guess.

no josh your not wrong, ive had clearance problems with every set of small block headers ive put on these trucks. this set im running now was a nightmare for sure with the 3'' collectors.i Had to cut clearance in the cross member to put pipe on them.

Mine cleared the first cross member right under the pan. However, I did have trouble with the pipes clearing the trans cross member. What I ended up doing was turning the trans crossmember upside down and bolting it to the bottom of the frame rail. I also had to weld a perch for the trans mount to bolt to so it would reach the trans again. It took maybe an hour to do it.

Sooooooo.... The headers did fit to the first cross member, but the exhaust pipes would not clear the trans cross member without fliping it over. My mistake

bumpside,

the cross-member ive always had clearance issues with is the one between where the radius arms attach to their frame bkts. the trans member is behind it. the collectors on all ive seen rest right on top of the one im talking about. just wanted to verify which one you meant? did you not have your exhaust pipe custom mandrel bent at a exhaust shop? i would think the wouldn't of had any problems bending the pipe to clear the trans cross-member

[bumpside]

td,

I thought it would be easier to turn the trans cross member over for clearence with 3" pipes. By doing that, I run straight to the rear axle with out any bends, just turndowns at the end. On the cross member your talking about, I have between 1/4 and 3/8 inch clearance. I also have a torque limiting brace on the left side of the motor to stop engine movement, so the headers don't hit from motor movement anyway. I guess maybe I got lucky with the header fit. They are the only ones I have had on this truck.

Terry

[td]

O ok

[DuckRyder]

I have Hooker Competition.

I'm satisfied, but would probably go with Hedmans if I did it over again. There is always FPA if you want to get really serious.

[saidyene]

I was considering hooker for mine but it seams the headman are getting better reviews. What makes them better? I dont really know much about headers but i do understand a good bit of tech talk so please be detailed.