Probably a million threads on this but after much google research I'm just looking for some input from somebody who is actually running long tube headers. What brand? Is it possible to be happy with headers that cost less than $300?

 

Does the collector diameter matter 3 inch vs. 2.5 inch? I'm either going with Hooker or Hedman non- ceramic because of cost. My neighbor has header wrap I could use if I wanted.

 

Hedman and hooker are decent middle of the road headers. I have hedmans but with a 400/c6. Uncoated headers put a lot of heat in the engine bay. I'm pondering having mine coated some day. I ditch the paper gaskets and use high temp copper RTV. An even 1/8" bead on the header flange around the ports and a very thin smear around the head ports will do. Let it deck a few minutes then assemble finger tight. Wait about 15 minutes and torque. Never failed and easy cleanup if you have to take apart later.

 

Thanks hivoltj for your input. I have decided to go with the Hooker 6904 hkr competition headers. I will go with your suggestion of using the high temp copper rtv, thanks. I have to figure out what I'm going to do about the reducer. Hooker offers 2.5 reducer but nothing smaller, my existing pipes are 2.25 diameter and I would like to use them a while longer if possible because they are in decent shape. Patriot has a 2.25 reducer so I suppose I will have to use theirs. I have not ordered yet, probably in the next couple days I will go for it when I'm absolutely comfortable I'm not messing up.

 

Parts stores have exhaust pipe adapters. Just snag a couple 2.5" to 2.25" adaptors if you really want the hooker headers

 

Just a little update, I have ordered the Hooker 6904 HKR competition headers yesterday. I am leaning towards using Percy's locking bolts and Percy's aluminum gaskets for the headers and collectors.

 

Did you wind up using the Percy gaskets? If so, have they been leak free?

 

What do the headers do about the mechanical clutch linkage? On my '77 with the 351M there seems to be no way for them to coexist. Thus every header I have seen is automatics only.

R.

 

I did use the Percy dead soft aluminum header gaskets with proform self locking wedge header bolts and they have been great.

 

The driver side installation was very trying, I had to remove the valve cover and unhook the entire clutch linkage to install the Hooker header and I have a 302 engine.