Performance from Headers?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside USA
Performance from Headers?
I have a 1970 F250 stock truck w/ an old 360. I am plagued w/ exhaust manifold leaks. I bought some headers (Heddman) for my type of truck, thinking that maybe my manifolds are warped and causing my annual exhaust manifold leaks. I have tried good gaskets and red rtv but they still blow out. My question is if I go to all of the work to install headers on my existing 2in dual exhaust w/ long glasspacks will I at least get a noticeable performance gain and hopefully no annual leaks? What type of gasket should I install, copper?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 479
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From: Miami U.S.A.
Performance from Headers?
Copper Gaskets are considered to be the BEST for out type off engine and trucks. Another option would be a deadsoft aluminum. It isn't any better than copper, or worse, but it maybe another option if you can't get copper.
you are probably rightthat the manifolds or heads are a little warped. If the headers don't work any better you might wanna have the head side of the manifolds resurfaced. This could help alot. But, if it is just a warped manifold it should go away with the headers.
Headers can cause other problems, like hotstarters and burnt electrical lines. You might wanna get a new starter and throw in their. Also get an old coffee can, for lack of a better item, and make a heat sheild for the starter. Put the shiney side toward the header.
Good luck on the swap.
Scotty
P.S. you should see a difference in the power not a ton, but some.
you are probably rightthat the manifolds or heads are a little warped. If the headers don't work any better you might wanna have the head side of the manifolds resurfaced. This could help alot. But, if it is just a warped manifold it should go away with the headers.
Headers can cause other problems, like hotstarters and burnt electrical lines. You might wanna get a new starter and throw in their. Also get an old coffee can, for lack of a better item, and make a heat sheild for the starter. Put the shiney side toward the header.
Good luck on the swap.
Scotty
P.S. you should see a difference in the power not a ton, but some.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
Performance from Headers?
I re-installed my headers and had a TON of leaks, then I removed the headers and noticed that the gasket didn't match the header very well at all.
I oblonged the header bolt holes in order to get the header and head ports to match. They were off by about 1/8".
Then I got the correct gasket and used copper RTV on both sides and let it setup for a while and then installed the headers and retorqued after a few days.
Haven't had a single leak yet!
Starter covers are a must and excellent time to replace the old starter with a new one.
As for power gains, I've heard some say they gained 50HP from headers on an FE, but I'd guess 20~30 should be about right depending on the rest of the engine and rest of the exhaust.
I oblonged the header bolt holes in order to get the header and head ports to match. They were off by about 1/8".
Then I got the correct gasket and used copper RTV on both sides and let it setup for a while and then installed the headers and retorqued after a few days.
Haven't had a single leak yet!
Starter covers are a must and excellent time to replace the old starter with a new one.
As for power gains, I've heard some say they gained 50HP from headers on an FE, but I'd guess 20~30 should be about right depending on the rest of the engine and rest of the exhaust.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Performance from Headers?
Go to the Junk Yard and get a set of truck exhaust manifolds, have them resurfaced and install them on your truck with new gaskets. Solve the leak problem once. If the old manifolds are not cracked save them for later. You will have all the issues with headers already mentioned and more. I won't debate headers verses standard manifolds. As for better performance with headers verses stock exhaust, maybe better, maybe not. I think this is an issue we all must go through at some point in our lives.
New User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Performance from Headers?
I've had a set of Dynomax ceramic coated headers (about $200 at Summit) on my '71 360 for almost 3 years with no problems, leaks or otherwise. The flanges match the the truck head's ports and I used stock type gaskets.
Tom
Tom
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Montana
Performance from Headers?
Do not install headers to solve exhaust leaks...... That's like jumping out of the frying pan and right into the fire. The best thing to do is have the heads and the exhaust manifolds resurfaced and don't run a gasket just metal to metal.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Balfour
Performance from Headers?
I got 2 cents if it's worth anything. For a stock motor hedders I don't think would help much, I lost some noticible low end with stock logs and too big of duels on a 360. Hedders and duels would suck the low end right out of a stock 360.
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Performance from Headers?
Originally posted by Rat wagon
I got 2 cents if it's worth anything. For a stock motor hedders I don't think would help much, I lost some noticible low end with stock logs and too big of duels on a 360. Hedders and duels would suck the low end right out of a stock 360.
I got 2 cents if it's worth anything. For a stock motor hedders I don't think would help much, I lost some noticible low end with stock logs and too big of duels on a 360. Hedders and duels would suck the low end right out of a stock 360.
