HEADERS- WORTH THE TROUBLE?

[bicent truck]

How much trouble is it going to be to remove existing exhaust manifold that's been on for 30 years on 76 fleetside without snapping anything off, and why can't new headers stay on without constantly tightening them. Is this a weekend project for a novice, that will be worthwhile. I'm doing it with long pipe headers ceramic coated so I am interested in looks, as well as performance and sound to go along with 2 and 1/2 inch flowmaster true duals. What's everybody think? Thanks Rich

[VileZambonie]

Headers are awesome. Most people who complain about headers leaking and loosening up are the ones who did not install them properly. First quality headers, quality gaskets and the correct bolts torqued evenly is important. The engine needs to flex so you need some flexibility in the exhaust but it also needs to be supported correctly. I think the last time I had a header leak was when I was in high school and had no idea what the H3LL I was doing and it seemed like a biweekly project replacing collector gaskets etc.

As far as removing the stock manifolds, use 6 point sockets to avoid rounding bolts, soak everything with penetrating oil a good day before hand and if you have a torch it may make things a little easier if you have frozen bolts. Make sure you have the companion reducers for your collectors so you can hook up your exhaust and again, make sure the exhaust is hung properly. A welder and some universal hangers may come in real handy too...Have fun!

Edited by: VileZambonie  at: 12/2/06 5:09 pm

[123 pugsy]

Give your wrench a good snap to break the bolts free rather than a slow pull. I grind about 1/16" off some of my sockets at the end to get a little more contact on the bolts.  

[bicent truck]

anyone familiar with this company's headers custom fitted for just these trucks?cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/C...5761QQrdZ1

[roundedline]

Well, that isn't White Performances Headers that they custom make.  It would be fairly evident by their description on 73-84 only.

Quote:We don't really know what it is, but we do not offer the 86 application.

If I was making headers, I would know what the difference was and would be curious why happened to 85 and 87.  BTW, the majority of '86's were carb'd so he TBI explination it bunk.

Quote:THE 85 TRUCK HAS A LARGER LOWER CONTROL ARM. THESE HEADERS WILL NOT CLEAR THAT YEAR.

That is a completely false statement. The control arm has nothing to do with the exhaust, and it is the same exact size as one on a '73.  Plus, why didn't they just say the 85 and 86 is like this.... (never mind the burbs that were made up to 1991...)

I would call them and ask who is the manufacturer is.
This is their website: www.whiteperformance.com/

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[VileZambonie]

Yeah obviously these people don't know much about these trucks. You can get a good quality set from summit for less

store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2DG9006%2D9&N=700+4294908216+4294925024+4294908213+4294840140+115&autoview=sku

[LBHGTI]

I went out on a limb and ordered up a set of the White Performance stainless headers for my 73 c20.  I just bought the truck and built a new motor/trans for it.  i had the engine on the stand, and the bolt holes in the flanges wouldn't line up.  I appeared as if while welding the tubes to the flanges, the flanges warped.  They were surfaced on a belt sander, but due to the warping, the two end holes were now closer together than they should be.  Also, if they did fit, there are about 4 spark plugs that you could never get in.  This was 2 weeks ago....and they have not been very cooperative in getting me my money back.  I ordered a set of Flowtech Afterburners from Jegs, and had some trouble with those aswell.  All the plugs fit fine, and all the bolt holes line up fine, but due to the tight bends coming off the flange, I couldnt' get a couple of the bolts in without heating and massaging the tubes a little bit.  I didn't have the patience to order yet another set.  Somebody must make them correctly...just got to figure out who.

[123 pugsy]

If the bolt holes are too close to the pipe, you could try using Allen head bolts.

[LBHGTI]

Didn't matter.  I tried header bolts and allen bolts, There was no way it would work.