Shorty headers

[Riveted1]

Those block huggers look nice and the price is even better!

I went out there again and tried to get those things to fit. There's no way. They hit on the motor mount and the frame. Even had a buddy look at it to get a second opinion. Took some pictures, but b/c the frame is black, you can't really see what's happening. Oh well, guess it's time to buck up and stimulate the economy!

[Arad68]

Originally Posted by 68_chop_top

I run Flowtech headers I bought from Summit Racing. Flowtech 31500FLT These are ceramic coated, full length, 1 5/8 with 3 inch collectors, and I did NOT have to cut the top rail on either side. It evens fits where my Z bar goes across. I use standard plugs but I had to modify a 5/8 socket to fit #7 plug.

I have these same headers and they fit well except for the spark plugs. A standard plug puts the spark plug boot very close to the tubes on #7 and a few of the others. Mine only have 1 1/2 " primary tubes. I have expensive wires and don't want them burned. (Moroso Ultra 40). I have the coldest shorty Accel plugs I can get and have to go colder still. Unfortunately, this means a standard length plug.
I am looking for a set of new headers that will allow standard plugs w/out burning my wires and wont break the bank so to say. I am not opposed to trimming my frame rails and my truck isn't lowered, but I want a "tucked" exhaust system too. I'll probably go with the Sandersons and stimulate the economy as well.

[70rs/ss]

I doubt this will matter, but fastom's frame is the narrower rails. The 67-8 is pretty thick on the top rail and there is no notch in it. We need to see picts, because if these exact headers fit one truck, then they should fit them all. A picture might help us, help you, maybe we'll see a simple something that'll make it work?? Please don't take this wrong, but is it possible the frame mount is on the wrong side? I don't think you are a goof or anything, but I did this myself once, I got them and put them in without really looking? Just a thought??

[GKsport67]

i will just send ECE my checks every week. i think i could follow them to give me what i need.

[Riveted1]

Yep 70rs/ss, you are right. Fastom does have the narrower frame. Good eye! I can't believe I didn't see that! Oh wait, yes I can! LOL

Anyway, not sure about the mounts, anything is possible since the PO installed the engine. He did some interesting things on this truck....

DS mount:



PS mount:



And the headers hit in these locations:







You can see where I could tuck the rear part of the headers in a bit more to get frame clearance, but they would just hit the engine mount even more...

[fastom]

Please explain the "narrow frame", I don't understand what that is? The frame on my truck is a 68.

[Riveted1]

What I thought he meant was that my frame is wider at the front part of the engine than yours. And MY truck may be a mutt. I would not be surprised. This is what my PS frame rail looks like: (I put some white styrofoam behind it so u could see better)



In the pics you posted, it doesn't look like your frame has the wide part and then the cut out. It just looks narrow and straight. But it may just be that I can't see the frame in the pics too well. I dunno.

Bah now I'm all confused

[Riveted1]

Yes? No? Maybe so?

[Shane]

the frame width could be the difference ... mine is a '70 frame

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by Shane

the frame width could be the difference ... mine is a '70 frame

A-HA!

(A-HA)

The plot thickens! Sorry, I visited that Mack Truck thread and couldn't help myself

[67c-10Texas]

here is the link to my header install - not much other progress

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=248222

[Riveted1]

Nice thread.. but as you can see I'm using the stock motor mounts. I just bit the bullet and ordered the Sanderson headers from ECE. ECE swears they will clear. Should find out this week sometime.

[fastom]

The best part of ordering from Early Classic is they will make it right whatever happens!! Great bunch of guys.

[Riveted1]

Well, looks like the ECE/Sanderson headers fit:





Don't have pics of the DS, but they fit fine too.

[70rs/ss]

Yeah the only think I can think of on your's is that the top rail needed to be trimmed to allow the header to clear that and the mount, it could be a couple of things, sorry I am late to the dance, but for that little bit of interference with the motor mount, I would have notched the mount? Honestly the ECE header looks a lot like the other header, except the ECE clears barely? I think I have seen a few guys put a shim between the mount and motor. The other thing I would have tried is that the motor mount holes are slotted a bit, loosen the bolts into the frame and the big bolt to the rubber motor mount and tied to slide the metal frame part of the mount forward to get a bit of clearance.

I am posting this too late for riveted1, but someone else will eventually run into this again, hopefully that will help?? Srry riveted1, I lost track of this thread, on another note those ECE headers look sweet, hope the $$$ wasn't too bad???

[Riveted1]

Ya, I could have done some grinding/cutting, but I didn't want to unless I absolutely HAD to. The new headers weren't bad $$ wise, and hopefully I can sell the others to someone w/a '69-up that can use em (for a discount of course ) to recoup some of my cost.

[70rs/ss]

Yeah, the metal frame mount has some wiggle in it as well as the hole where the bolt goes through into the rubber motor mount. You can loosen the frame mount bolts, the motor mount bolt and jack the motor ever so slightly and the metal frame mount will slide forward or back with a hammer convincing it, then that 1/8 or 1/4 inch of forward movement may have cleared it. Either way it is done, sorry for not being around to offer this before? Glad it worked out for ya!!

[Riveted1]

No worries man! 1/4 or 1/8th of an inch wouldn't have helped those Dynomax headers a bit. They needed a good inch at least! I will remember that tip for future projects though!

[Dowdy]

I am running the Hedman 66103 big block headers on mine and had to trim the top flange on the passenger side of the frame only. These headers are 2 inch primaries into a 3 inch collector.

[sanchzy]

have you ran the truck with headers because my frame is freshly painted and i dont wana melt the paint ..ho is the ground clearance on those because my truck is bagged and sits on the crossmember

[70 net440]

Not to jump this thread, but, is there much difference with my '63 c-10 compared to a '67? Next spring I will being repowering my Wife's truck and would like to put headers on it.

[68chevy68]

My 61 had block huggers and they worked great. They don't however fit my 71 gmc frame at all. There is not any room for the pipes to connect to the header and turn back. The crossmember is in the way. I am running a set of s-10, v-8 conversion headers and they work great. The driverside is a little close to the frame, but it will work for now.

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by sanchzy

have you ran the truck with headers because my frame is freshly painted and i dont wana melt the paint ..ho is the ground clearance on those because my truck is bagged and sits on the crossmember

I'll try to get some better pics tomorrow. They have plenty of clearance all around!

[bobshotrodblazer]

any big block pictures with shorty's?

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

These are the ones I have atm. Dynomax 86118: Cerama-Coat Shorty Headers for Cars with 283-400ci,Camaro, Z/28 1967-69, Chevelle/El Camino 1964-88

Do you have any pics with the headers on the motor? Where do you have your motor mounted?