budget header owners please advise.
 

I searched, and found some good info, but not everything I would like.

My budget is going to limit me to Flowtech/Dynomax/Summit brands... I know, but SuperComps or FPA's are just too much for me given my expectations.

I'm tired of replacing gaskets every month on my stock logs.
I'm also tired of 10.5mpg.
Don't care about discolouration.
Rust will not be an issue here in Az... and if they do get surface rust... I really don't care.

What I do want is a header that seals and does not cause starter heat soak... that's all.

My rig...
1969 F250 2wd.
Mild rebuilt '66 390, stock large port heads, ps, pb, a/c and C6... soon, Holley 550cfm 2bbl.

Tell me how life with your budget headers has treated you.

TIA.

I would say if you are replacing gaskets that much on manifolds, headers are prolly going to be worse. It sounds like the head exhaust surface isn't flat. FWIW any header that has a 5/16" flange or thicker can be made to seal. Either double gasket with hi-temp RTV between the gaskets or use copper or Victor Nitroseal gaskets. Make sure the header flange is flat before bolting them on. Sometimes the port is bigger than the header port , causing a mismatch that no gasket can seal up, so check compatability. I have heard good things about the Flowtechs, I think the Summit headers are made by Flowtech.

i had flowtechs on my 65 3/4 ton 2wd 352. they sealed great. you want to buy them? they are for sale. not because i don't like them, but because a tornado took the cab and front clip and set it in a tree. as far as I know, they are in perfet shape, other than i put high temp paint on them before i installed, them, but most of it has flaked off. $75 dollar bill and they were only used for about 8 months.

Stay away from the Dynomax if you have the Bendix steering unit. Unless they made a design change in the last 2 years. They gave me fits.

unglued do u live over by the race track because i might be interested in bying those from u i live in shawnee next to county line road.

i live down here by pittsburg

are they in preety good shape any major defects

except for the paint i put on there flaking off. they are perfect as far as i can tell.

do u ever come up to kc area

Unglued, thanks for the offer, but I'll likey just zip down Autozone.
Did the install of the FlowTechs go easily?

Gtex, I remember your bad experiences with DynoMax... not worth the risk I guess.

Has anyone had starter heat soak issues with the FloTechs?

Others have made the Dynomax work. And they offer a ceramic coated job for around $225. A good price.

I think they never accounted for the trucks equipped with the Bendix box.

I use Hedman headers, with good results. Go with the Victor Nitroseal gaskets, those things are great! Just watch out installing them, they have some sharp edges, and you can cut yourself if you're not carefull. I had mine blowing out regular gaskets every week, stick some nitroseal gaskets on there, hasn't blown out for 6 months. I'd also advise some aluminum collector gaskets, the standard fiber ones constantly blew out.

The moral of the story: Dont skimp on gaskets!

I've been putting those metal/graphite Hooker gaskets on it...

Where does one buy nitroseal gaskets?

Get a shield for the starter, problem solved.

I have a set of Blackjack headers (bought 15-17 years ago) that go around the passenger side motor mount, so only two tubes go near the starter, and it can actually be removed without taking off the header, and there's plenty of room so heat soak is not a problem.

All you guys sound like all four tubes go down past the starter?

blackjack?
do they still exist?