My first engine build

[travisr1988]

Ok so engine is ready to go in, old 6 banger is gone, now i have one thing bugging me...exhaust manifolds.  Exhaust has not been built yet and the manifolds look ugly. So my question is what headers should i look for? Hedman patriot, and dougs are preferred brands. What headers fit good and don't hang below the frame?

[Mario]

I have these in my '81 K20:  Hedman 69897.  I got tired of blowing collector gaskets.  They use the bell land socket type joint that doesn't need a gasket.  Check out this company:  http://www.mandrelbendingsolutions.com.  I went with stainless steel pipe 12 years ago, and it's still functioning.  They probably already have a kit to fit your truck.

[travisr1988]

UPDATE: Now that we got the hoist fixed the motor is in, all bolted up and ready for exhaust manifolds/headers (if I get some) accessories, and details, and ofcourse pre-lubing and firing it up to run the break in procedures. Waiting on a few odds and ends and we should be firing it soon.

[travisr1988]

Okay, so the alternator, and exhaust manifolds went on today, only one issue. On the passenger side the exhaust manifold bolts up fine but the first spark plug is really close to the manifold...too close to get a boot on w/o melting it. Driver side looks fine, no clearance issues, on both manifolds all the bolts lined up and everything. Only problem is how close to the manifold the first (closest to front) spark plug on the passenger side is. Any advice? I may only need to use these manifolds for break in, as a set of headers looks to be in the near future.

[travisr1988]

Alright, I have an update...finally gathered up most of the remaining parts. Engine is installed, I ended up buying some cheap used headers for the time being and the motor is ready. All I have left is to install the radiator and hoses, fresh gas, and once I get the transmission bolted to the crossmember I can tighten all the mount bolts and run the break in procedure. Then exhaust and transmission plumbing are next. We made sure it actually fires today and it sounded great for the 2 seconds we allowed it to run. Next week after payday The rest will be taken care of and with my dad's supervision again (so I don't overthink everything and worry too much) I'll be breaking it in and after that I'll get a video of it running. Man I'm excited

[travisr1988]

Wow, so things came up and it took much longer than expected, but I now have an exhaust kit for it (that I have to modify) and it is ready for break in. Well, actually I started break in and quickily realized I need exhaust on it or risk the flames from the headers catching the truck on fire. Timing is good, carb is good, runs great, just has flames spitting from headers...I'm told that is normal when breaking in with open headers. Anyway, the exhaust is the dynomax kit, a crossover pipe and thrush welded mufflers. Should sound good with the welded.

[travisr1988]

I know this thread is dead, but for the sake of keeping it updated I will post an update. The engine is now broken in, just needs some fine tuning, and to figure out how to seal up the dang collector flanges and it will be set.