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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Exhaust => Topic started by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 08:39:34 AM

Title: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 08:39:34 AM
I have a 1974 c1500 short bead with a smallblock, m21 tranny with a mechanical clutch. looking to purchase set off long tube headers that do not interfere or hit anything, mainly worried about hitting the mechanical clutch linkage or tranny cross member. I'm looking to buy a nice set of long tube headers, either stainless or ceramic coated, with 3/8 thick flanges, preferably a 3" collector, so I still have the option to reduce down to 2.5" after the collector if I choose.  I start reading item descriptions on summitt and similar sites and they just tell you it fits every car ever made haha.

Looking to see if someone out there has a setup like this, that can point me in the right direction? 

I'll post a pic of my crossmember.
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 08:41:09 AM
Pic of crossmember (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230308/2dcd60b22665cfc0c8f000d4614ae476.jpg)

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Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Shifty on March 08, 2023, 08:53:54 AM
Hoping I don't get whacked for posting a link:

https://tejassteelworks.com/product/high-clearance-transmission-cross-member-2wd/
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 08:58:27 AM
Thank you for the link. Was hoping to keep my original cross member.

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Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Shifty on March 08, 2023, 09:09:17 AM
You can, if you are a good welder/fabricator, and do the same sort of thing, or mod the headers so they fit tighter to the stock crossmember. 
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 09:18:19 AM
Ok, I will look into that. I'd rather modify the headers then the cross member
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Shifty on March 08, 2023, 09:20:42 AM
Are you lowering the truck as well?
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 09:36:56 AM
It is lowered 2.5" in the nose, 4" in the rear
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: ehjorten on March 08, 2023, 10:02:17 AM
I don't know about a 1/2-ton 2WD, but I got Hedman Elite Stainless for my '77 K20 and they fit perfect. I did cut off the ball and socket collectors and welded-on V-band collectors. Their website was pretty good on letting you know what they fit.
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 10:41:11 AM
I will check out Hedman. Do you have a mechanical clutch linkage?
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Shifty on March 08, 2023, 10:58:44 AM
It is lowered 2.5" in the nose, 4" in the rear
They'll probably be the lowest thing on the undercarriage, if that's ok with you....Better than the oil pan, eh?
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 11:06:23 AM
Definitely can't make it under the cross member without half the pipe showing atleast, which is fine. It would have to be tucked into the humps by the frame rails. Not saying that's what I'm gonna do. I'm open to any ideas. I beleave long tube headers should end before they get to the crossmember?
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: ehjorten on March 08, 2023, 03:53:44 PM
https://www.hedman.com/product-detail/69892

https://www.hedman.com/part-search/?PartNumber=69092

Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: VileZambonie on March 08, 2023, 06:15:44 PM
My buddy put on a set of the stainless eBay specials. I was surprised how nice they were. So many options now and the cluth linkage is high enough that it shouldn't be an issue.
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 08, 2023, 06:35:44 PM
Good links! Thank you very much
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 14, 2023, 06:08:34 PM
I ended up purchasing hedmen hedders 69088. Hopefully they work. I think I may be tweaking my fuel line, evap line and rear brake line to make them fit. As far as the clutch linkage goes, under the reviews a guy put them on an 81 c10 and said it did not affect his clutch linkage. Should be coming in Monday. I'll post some pics with clearances and how far down below the frame they hang.  Anyone use these on there truck?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69088
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Shifty on March 15, 2023, 09:15:46 AM
They look nice, I haven't used Hedmann in decades though, back when they were cheapies.  They've come a long way since!  Looking forward to installed pics.  8)
Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 17, 2023, 06:51:02 PM
Only have the port side hedder on so far and I am very impressed with the fit. Have to rework brake and fuel lines a little to do the starboard side (which i installed, probably not in exact factory locations). Like VZ said, plenty of room for the clutch, clears the frame and motor mount and is pointing perfect through the hump in my crossmember. Bottom of collector flange is about 2-1/2" down from the bottom of the lowest part of my frame. Truck has a 2-1/2" drop in the bow, and a 4 in the stearn, collector flange and lowest tube is 10" off the floor.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/5627cce862498850651dd0225eecc463.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/fa45e07523cf6821046c578b71b0804a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/185f910375d66551f65acd2a236036f1.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/cc688cd970da66868b4977d44ccf968f.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/5dcab0bd1c08b96e36f0720f762b8a3a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/dc79a56acda7aba486558fe4d1fb4016.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/1b67a9f25a41f66397c7d9d971521395.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/55a004b7079b1a67f1fef6a48ee5683e.jpg)

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Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Swampyankee74 on March 18, 2023, 11:52:48 AM
Very happy with the fitment. Passenger side is on, had to adjust the fuel and brake line a little. But the fit nice and the collectors couldn't possibly be any higher and work with the stock crossmember.  Only concern I have is the fuel might get a little hot and cause vapor lock. If so I will re-route the fuel line.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230318/d46a23610ec17f6c60eb96dd60e8dcf7.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230318/5b3a2f2b66cd167be299f4086b728e33.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230318/31389fffd9828aae248a90b13a2da887.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230318/31f77801d3a0c5fd7b41225412a4c7ba.jpg)

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Title: Re: 74 c15 headers
Post by: Shifty on March 18, 2023, 12:11:38 PM
That is a really nice fit!  So much easier without the body in the way!