The headers on my '65 (352) were on it when I got the truck, and weren't in the best of condition. They were rusty, and no prayer of ever figuring out the manufacturer. I tried to change the collector gaskets and the collectors just collapsed when the wrench was put to them. I found a set of headers at a swap meet a couple years back, used, for 12 bucks. I installed them about 6 mo. ago after a good sandblast and several light coats of high temp white header paint. I never thought twice about changing my starter with these "new" headers. With the old headers, you had to be patient and work the starter around, but it would come out. I found out today that to change the starter now, the header has to be removed. What a pain in the @$$. 20 minute job turned into several hour job, and it's 100 plus degrees here. I wish I knew what brand each of the sets were, so I know what brand to buy when these crap out. Oh yeah, don't waste your money on high temp header paint, it is pointless. I prepped the surface correctly, so that it would stick, and it didn't. Anyway, has anyone ever ran into this with their starters and headers? If so, which headers allow for the starter change? Just wanted to post to see what kind of feedback I got on it.

 

Those lyin' **** header manufactures say that the starter will come off. When I put mine on and seen the lack of room.............pfffttt............they are nuts! Goodluck!

 

My 65 has headers as well, I went with the Dyno Max ceramic coated ones and you have to install the started and header at the same time from the bottom side as well. I made sure the last time I had the engine out I installed a new starter. As you found out when it is in the pickup it is a pain. It does help if you un-bolt the motor mounts and rock the engine to the driver side, but i still have to drop and install both parts as a set.

 

Which is why I'll never put headers on mine.
I would definately purchase one of those drag racing starter 'blankets' to wrap the starter in. The heat is what will kill them.
Painting headers is futile. Unless you have them coated, the finish will chip off.

 

Hooker Super Comps on mine. Have replaced several starters, one only lasted about 50 starts. Everybody ought to own at least one set of headers in his life.
Usually when someone thinks he wants them and posts here, some of us try to warn them about the extra heat, loudness, and sure enough someone will post I have never had to replace my starter and they make my truck faster, get better mpgs etc.

I might own a set of shorties again but no more long tubes.

John

 

I second that one John.
Headers are "cool" and for me at least, it was the first thing I used to get on my old trucks. Then come the leaks, they get ugly and kill starters. I remember having to wait until my starter cooled down before it would start again. It made a trip to the corner store a real pain when I had to sit and wait before I could leave.
Adding to that, I had a JC Whitney cast iron exhaust cutout on it too. That thing leaked like crazy...but it WAS fun...
My next set will be wrapped and I'll spend money to buy high quality shorty style, just my opinion.
Chris

 

I was thinkin if i replace them they will be shorties and they will be wrapped. Again tho- not my choice- they were on it when I bought it. Thanks for the great feedback!

 

i had the same problem with my 300 I6. my soloution....just take the whole engine out and put in a v8....yeah that was 2 years ago and ive just now got the new motor almost ready to go in...

 

I've got headers on my 292 and even on my 292 the starter side has to come off. Look on the bright side, thats the time you can look everything over, fix what needs to be fixed touch up paint where needed etc etc. So far I've only replaced the starter once and those are some big'ol starters. When I'm all done that side once again looks good, and I know I won't have any troubles with anything else on that side.
After all my truck is my therapy keeps me sane...LOL
Nothing like laying on cardboard giving the old girl a once over.

 

I just installed the pass header and starter tonight. I wanted to find the engineer that came up with the mid engine mounted starter pad and smack him really hard in the knuckles with my cheater bar. That starter is a pain in the you know what. My son thought I was having a seizure the way I was flopping around under the truck (66 F-100). But luckily I won and they are both installed with minor paint injuries to the headers. I did convince the owner to but a starter blamket to warp the starter with. Only have to wait a week for it to ship. I might have the truck up and running by next week.

 

The parts truck I just got has some on it, I think I can get the starter off with them on but guess I'll check that now. Kinda looking forward to having headers.

 

Dave, You can get it loose and move it forward to drop it, you just can't get it out and the replacement in.

John

 

Thanks John. going to resume stripping it Thursday. Man I got me a perfect grill on this one.