headers
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Dallas, Texas
headers
I've been seeing alot about headers lately on this list. I was wondering what a header is, and if its something i should consider getting.
here's my truck:
1981 F100 I6 300
1bbl carter stock carb (soon to be 4 bbl holley or edlebrock with offy intake)
brand spankin newly rebuilt engine
Exaust wise I have a strait pipe from the exaust manifold to a 12 inch glasspack with a 3" pipe dumped at rear axle.
here's my truck:
1981 F100 I6 300
1bbl carter stock carb (soon to be 4 bbl holley or edlebrock with offy intake)
brand spankin newly rebuilt engine
Exaust wise I have a strait pipe from the exaust manifold to a 12 inch glasspack with a 3" pipe dumped at rear axle.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 154
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Instead of a "log" exhaust, where six exhaust ports go into one pipe immediately below the manifold, headers have a separate tube for each port that go into 2 pipes (ideally) three into one, three into another. Headers improve the breathing of the motor by letting air out quicker. The scavenging effect of headers actually help draw the air out of the motor.
I don't think you'll realize the benefit of a four barrel carb unless you put on headers or at least an EFI manifold. Your single log exhaust chokes the crap out of the truck (can't breathe) and limits power and torque. You can't let more air into the truck (four barrel) unless you let it out with a better exhaust system.
I don't think you'll realize the benefit of a four barrel carb unless you put on headers or at least an EFI manifold. Your single log exhaust chokes the crap out of the truck (can't breathe) and limits power and torque. You can't let more air into the truck (four barrel) unless you let it out with a better exhaust system.
Last edited by 309Ford; Aug 31, 2005 at 06:34 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Clifford Performance
MAC
Dynomax
Pace Setter
Hedman
and Hooker all make headers for the 300.
The Hookers were the most expensive when I researched 300 headers. I went with the Dynomax headers and haven't had a problem. There were a few reports of people having trouble getting the Dynomaxs to seal correctly.
I ordered the Dynomaxs through Advance Auto much to the amazement of the counter attendents.
Part # 85065 is the only 300 header Dynomax sells, so I'm assuming that's it.
It's $159 at Summit and $228 at AA unless you know the right counter attendent. There was some frame grinding involved in fitting these headers, not much though.
MAC
Dynomax
Pace Setter
Hedman
and Hooker all make headers for the 300.
The Hookers were the most expensive when I researched 300 headers. I went with the Dynomax headers and haven't had a problem. There were a few reports of people having trouble getting the Dynomaxs to seal correctly.
I ordered the Dynomaxs through Advance Auto much to the amazement of the counter attendents.
Part # 85065 is the only 300 header Dynomax sells, so I'm assuming that's it.
It's $159 at Summit and $228 at AA unless you know the right counter attendent. There was some frame grinding involved in fitting these headers, not much though.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 154
Likes: 2
Like GHog, I got my headers through Advance Auto. Second set on the truck, previous were another brand. Went on slicker than snot. No leaks. No grinding. I was amazed.
I have dual exhaust on my truck. If you're going to go this route instead of a single exhaust, be advised that short distance driving is harder on the exhaust system because it takes longer to warm up and rusts out easier (behind the mufflers) due to water condensing in the cooler muffler(s) rather than a single muffler.
Still, duals are the only way to go. Since backpressure ain't much, any muffler will be OK. Since some don't like the sound of a six, larger mufflers might be better to eliminate the ricey sound at low rpm's. I went to smaller mufflers to keep the exhaust hotter and possibly extend the life of the pipes behind the mufflers. It's quiet enough that it sounds fine, and actually it sounds pretty good once it has some revs on it.
I have dual exhaust on my truck. If you're going to go this route instead of a single exhaust, be advised that short distance driving is harder on the exhaust system because it takes longer to warm up and rusts out easier (behind the mufflers) due to water condensing in the cooler muffler(s) rather than a single muffler.
Still, duals are the only way to go. Since backpressure ain't much, any muffler will be OK. Since some don't like the sound of a six, larger mufflers might be better to eliminate the ricey sound at low rpm's. I went to smaller mufflers to keep the exhaust hotter and possibly extend the life of the pipes behind the mufflers. It's quiet enough that it sounds fine, and actually it sounds pretty good once it has some revs on it.
Postmaster
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From: La Verne, California
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Posting Guru
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Originally Posted by WoomaHodal
and could headers help my gas milage at all? what about with a 4bbl carb.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 447
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From: Florida
Clifford headers are not worth it, I have them on mine and the welds are not good, the flange is just tack welded to the pipes, and at $350 I say it was a big rip off! and their "black ceramic coating" is just cheap black ceramic spray paint. buy the dynomax headers.
Last edited by johnsonswamp; Sep 1, 2005 at 04:33 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 310
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Originally Posted by WoomaHodal
At this point, the Dynamax headers sound like they are the way to go. Are there any horror stories about them?
Yes.
I've read a few accounts of the Dynomaxs not sealing properly.
There are steps you can take to help prevent this if the flanges are straight. A good gasket like Felpro and a sealing agent on both sides of the gasket worked well for me. I also cleaned up the surfaces of the headers and the head.
The gasket that came with the headers did not look like it was of very high quality.
Be advised that there were differences between the Offy DP intake and the Dynomax flange thickness.
I originally thought about machining them to the same thickness but in the end I used half washers to make up the difference.
No leaks after close to 9K miles.
Also, the dynomaxs are uncoated and have rusted up fairly well. I'd be surprised if they last 2-3 years.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by 89whitenight
Has anyone tried the set from Hooker? They look fairly decent, but at $370 from Summit it'd be nice to know if they were worth it.
Look over at the standard series dynomax $149
or
keep an eye on ebay, they can usually be found for under 100 new buy it now.
There is a chance of the exh flanges being different than the intake but that can be taken care of easily.
Last edited by Motorhead351; Sep 2, 2005 at 07:07 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
well it looks like they no longer sell the dynomaxx headers for the 300. but they do sell the HED-89300 for 149.00 . and if you are a first time customer from summit you get 20.00 off your next order.