header life?
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From: fargo, nd
header life?
will headers live as long as cast manifolds? is there anything besides ceramic coating them that will make them last longer? the headers im looking at are HED-86651 from summit, really expensive but they seem pretty decent. i need something that will stand up to a 12-1 propane 545. maybe i should try the L&L headers... opinions? other options? i cant weld so making my own isnt an option
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will headers live as long as cast manifolds?
No
is there anything besides ceramic coating them that will make them last longer?
Other than scraping the rust off and repainting them often, no. And it would be cheaper in the long run to have them ceramic coated anyway.
the headers im looking at are HED-86651 from summit, really expensive but they seem pretty decent.
Which ones and what do you consider "expensive"?
i need something that will stand up to a 12-1 propane 545. maybe i should try the L&L headers... opinions? other options? i cant weld so making my own isnt an option
What is your application?
Brad
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its a 78 ford f250 4x4 that im swapping the 400 out of to put in a 429 stroked out to 545, thats why its got to be for an engine swap... i think im going with the l&l because its chassis exit rather than fenderwell exit... i think the long tube headers would be better for low end power, at least from what ive heard... the ceramic headers i found at summit were 700 dollars... thats a bit too much i think. the l&l were 505 and have lifetime warranty even against rust/rot
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that hedmen set is the exact header i run.last i knew l&l's were only 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" with a 3"collector.i replaced the l&l's with the hedmens and considering the performance difference i was glad i switched.you've got 24 cubes on me so i wouldn't think you'd want to choke it with the smaller headers.bronco graveyard has some decent 2" headers too.
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Originally Posted by darrin1999
bronco- thats cool that you like the hedmans... how many miles do you have on them? any leaks/issues?
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From: fargo, nd
im not worried so much about looks as i am performance and reliability... im building my truck for reliability and functionality... im just doing basic body work to get it legal (like install the new taillights and get the taillight wiring straightened out) im not worrying about the cosmetics of it as im looking for a 1958-59-60 f700+ cab to put on the frame eventually because thats my favorite body style... and those fender flares on the front look cool 
either that or leave it as a 78 and just find a cheap semi and put the f700+ cab on that for a really big truck that still gets 8 mpg towing nothing
either that or leave it as a 78 and just find a cheap semi and put the f700+ cab on that for a really big truck that still gets 8 mpg towing nothing
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i went coated because painted headers rust and look like crap pretty fast.being a fenderwell exit header,rusty ones would be kinda nasty.what heads are u using?
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From: fargo, nd
well... as of right now my plan is to use the stock d3ve's and port the crap out of them, but my original plan was to get a pair of blue thunders ... i ended up with less money than i expected though
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yep i know... i lucked out and found the crank for 360 dollars- at a place that specialized in buick parts lol. h-beams are another 370, forged pistons are just over 500 for the set... and im getting good gapless rings at 300 for the set... then bearings and balancing and machine work... it all adds up quick... i figure by the time im done ill have about 2200-2300 dollars into the shortblock... then about 1200 in parts for the top end plus mild machine work- porting the heads myself- and intake and fuel system will cost another 15-1600 ... and thats my budget stroker
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are you gonna run a flat tappet cam or a roller? i built mine in steps over a few years and it's a ongoing process .always trying to improve on it but getting sick of sinking $'s in it.got other projects.