Author Topic: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers  (Read 4786 times)

Offline Ronno6

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 290
  • Elder Student
Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« on: October 26, 2018, 11:11:40 AM »
I have a set of Hedman 69092 headers for my 84 C10 w/mechanical clutch linkage.
I have read that Vortec heads position the spark plugs closer to the exhaust ports, and may cause
interferencebetween spark plug and the header tube on some cylinders.

Hedman tech indicated that this will probably be the case on cyls 3,5, and possibly 1.

Do any of y'all have experience with this? If denting the header tube is required for plug wire boot clearance,
how big a deal is this?

ed...FWIW it appears that the plugs in my swirl port 193's are closer to the exhaust port as well.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2018, 03:44:59 PM by Ronno6 »
You can lead a man to water, but yoiu can't keep him from pissing in it.

Offline Captkaos

  • OWNER and Administrator
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18351
    • http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2018, 06:48:54 PM »
Denting the headers isn't really a big deal.

Offline Ronno6

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 290
  • Elder Student
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2018, 07:14:30 PM »
Okee Dokee...Thanks!
You can lead a man to water, but yoiu can't keep him from pissing in it.

Offline fitz

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2084
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2018, 09:21:22 PM »
Accel "shorty" spark plus help

Offline 75gmck25

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 439
  • 1975 GMC K25 Camper Special, 350/TH350/NP203
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2018, 07:53:46 AM »
Search youtube for the Engine Masters episode where they experimented with denting headers to see what it did to power output.  Simple answer - there was no noticeable change in power.

Bruce

Offline Ronno6

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 290
  • Elder Student
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2018, 09:24:54 AM »
Accel "shorty" spark plus help

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, THAT may be the ticket!
Along with the ceramic boots...........
If it doesn't cure the problem, on to denting the tubes!
The Vortec search is back on again!
Thanks!
You can lead a man to water, but yoiu can't keep him from pissing in it.

Offline Ronno6

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 290
  • Elder Student
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2018, 10:43:15 AM »
I just loosely hung my headers on my 350 with the swirl port heads and don't see a problem.
The TBI SP heads have the plugs closer to the exhaust ports as well.
Is the offset the same as on Vortec heads?
You can lead a man to water, but yoiu can't keep him from pissing in it.

Offline Ronno6

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 290
  • Elder Student
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2018, 10:26:01 AM »
Looks like I'm gonna be suing a set of 906's, providing they are not cracked.
They will be getting a fresh 3 angle valve job, so if they have the hardened exhaust valve insert they
can be blended to relieve the seat flow interference situation.

The donor motor has a roller cam setup. So, though I won't use the cam, the lifters, spider, guides and pushrods may be reusable.

I have to finish disassembling my 350 block so I can take to the machine shop along with the heads.
You can lead a man to water, but yoiu can't keep him from pissing in it.

Offline MrFiveOh

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 199
  • The Local Po-Po
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2018, 12:35:25 AM »
Accel "shorty" spark plus help

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, THAT may be the ticket!
Along with the ceramic boots...........
If it doesn't cure the problem, on to denting the tubes!
The Vortec search is back on again!
Thanks!

those spark plugs dont have the correct reach. use standard plugs, i have hooker heads and dont have any clearance issues.
1974 C-10 AKA "Smurf"
350/700R4 Hooker Headers 134-A A/C
4/5 Drop - Ridler 650 rims 20x8.5/20x10
Kenwood single din radio 2 IB-Flat Pioneer Subwoofers Rockford Fosgate Power 1000-bdcp amp

Offline fitz

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2084
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2018, 04:03:30 AM »
  I've been running the Accel short spark plugs in my 69 camaro that has Vortec heads and Hooker headers for 15 years.  I've never had a problem. 
   What "reach" are you referring to?

Offline MrFiveOh

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 199
  • The Local Po-Po
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2018, 05:14:54 PM »
  I've been running the Accel short spark plugs in my 69 camaro that has Vortec heads and Hooker headers for 15 years.  I've never had a problem. 
   What "reach" are you referring to?

The amount the spark plug actually sits in the plug hole, SHortys dont sit in all the way and actually are to short. vortecs require a .708-.715 reach where the shortys are around .460 reach. theres alot of write ups about it..
1974 C-10 AKA "Smurf"
350/700R4 Hooker Headers 134-A A/C
4/5 Drop - Ridler 650 rims 20x8.5/20x10
Kenwood single din radio 2 IB-Flat Pioneer Subwoofers Rockford Fosgate Power 1000-bdcp amp

Offline MrFiveOh

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 199
  • The Local Po-Po
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2018, 05:17:55 PM »
Incorrect left, correct on the right.
1974 C-10 AKA "Smurf"
350/700R4 Hooker Headers 134-A A/C
4/5 Drop - Ridler 650 rims 20x8.5/20x10
Kenwood single din radio 2 IB-Flat Pioneer Subwoofers Rockford Fosgate Power 1000-bdcp amp

Offline Ronno6

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 290
  • Elder Student
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2018, 07:14:55 PM »
It is all moot anyway.

The heads were cracked badly, so that pair is a no-go.
My machine shop guru indicated  that, in his experience, 8 out of 10 used 062 or 906 heads are cracked.

Looks like I'm gonna go aluminum..........
You can lead a man to water, but yoiu can't keep him from pissing in it.

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13319
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: Vortec Heads and Hedman Headers
« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2018, 10:31:59 PM »
wonder what would happen if you use a shorty plug with .708" reach

double plat

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/acc-p526s/overview/make/chevrolet

but at around $15/ each i would just go with the standard reach
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13319
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes