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Get rid of the headers, right?

vsj100

vsj100

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Hi to all! Mine is a 1968 Coronet 500 Super Bee. As some of you know I have been solving a vibration problem and tonight I planned on installing the new flex plate made to solve a mismatch between the cast crank 440 and the non weighted torque converter. I learned that the transmission will not come out due to header interference and the starter has the same problem. I am NOT hooked on headers. I did pull the transmission back and did install the new flex plate. Do you suggest going back to stock exhaust manifolds? That is the question.
Thanks!
 
Personally I wouldn't. I like headers.
But the tranny can come out with some twisting and turning. Harder if you're on the floor of course.
 
I'm probably in the minority here, but I prefer stock exhaust manifold. If you follow Nick's Garage on YouTube he'll give you his opinions on staying stock exhaust manifold and I tend to agree.
 
I have headers on two of my cars and my Power Wagon.
Headers increase power in everything but the closer you are to stock, the lower the gains are. A stock 383 or 440 may gain 20 HP with a good set. I don't know if you can feel that difference.
 
Last edited:
Kern Dog said:
I have headers on two of my cars and my Power Wagon.
Headers increase power in everything but the close you are to stock, the lower the gains are. A stock 383 or 440 may gain 20 HP with a good set. I dont know if you can feel that difference.
Click to expand...
Sounds about right, which would show as a two car- length win on the strip.
 
This is somewhat simplistic but I let camshaft decide headers or manifolds.
 
Me thinks long tube headers of the correct dia. give a substatial torque increase and especially at the bottom end where you need it most. That said.....they are usually a pain in the *** in several ways.
 
Another variable would be what header is under consideration.
Are yours worth it?
For me the decision was pretty simple on a 383 re-install.
The old headers were rusty.
I had some stock HP exhaust manifolds already.
TTI would not build me a set of stainless headers and I didn't want any funky "coatings" or plain rusty headers.
On top of that I'll be breaking in a new engine.
So HP manifolds it was because most any headers have all the known problems.
 
I put them on my 440 in the charger. I like the sound of them but they are a pita.
When I install the 383 in the coronet it will be with manifolds
 
I would suggest just removing the passenger side header.
Then if you still need room just unbolt the drivers side but leave it in there.
Drivers side is a real pain.
 
If you're on jack stands one of these works great.

IMG_20220801_095501426.jpg


IMG_20220801_095453019.jpg


IMG_20220805_141319404_HDR.jpg
 
Many overlook the benefits
of a custom set of headers.
They are comparably priced
and if you find a good
builder, he can overcome
many of the problems
associated with vehicle
serviceability.
I had a set custom built and
had to pull the Turbo 400
out from under the tight
confines of a Jeep CJ7.
There was no problem
getting the trans dropped,
which is also attached to
a transfer case.
Though the headers had to
be unbolted and dropped.
The entire system stayed
intact.
The starter is replaceable
without having to mess
with the headers.
 
Manifolds make service of the started, plugs, and transmission easier and they are quieter than headers, but you give up some performance.
Headers can be a real problem if they don't seal or fit well. Had some cheap headers that were total junk on the 383. Mostly because they were not welded to the flange correctly so they would not seal (helps if they would have welded the entire pipe...) There are some good sealing and fitting headers, but they tend to be expensive, and will still have the issues with servicing the vehicle, but will provide a gain in performance
 
i’m building now , a street cruzer. upgrading to a 383hp from 318/2, i decided to start with iron manifolds, i have a set of h.p. manifolds and having a complete system built locally in 2 1/2” pipe i’m thinking . i didn’t want to play with headers on this one . max performance not top of list , hopefully i end up with a good clean sound and adequate power . this system is mighty interesting….

image.jpg
 
I sure wish that someone, (Any fabricators out there????) would weld up a set
of stainless HP manifolds that flowed better that cast iron units but looked similar.
 
zyzzyx said:
I sure wish that someone, (Any fabricators out there????) would weld up a set
of stainless HP manifolds that flowed better that cast iron units but looked similar.
Click to expand...
You mean a fabricated log manifold?
There are stainless shorty type headers on E-bay and they are fairly cheap. I bought a set, but haven't used them.
 
I'd bet lunch at a Burger King that the majority of guys favoring manifolds are over 65.
I don't race my cars but I have headers on both Chargers and even my 75 Power Wagon.
 
I'm pretty bad about modifying all may cars. All my old Mopars have headers.
I haven't modified the Jensen, and have been no the fence if I should leave it stock?
Or at least stock appearing with manifolds.
Reason is I have been looking at several Jensen Interceptors, and I see most of them have been modified a bit.
The one I bought seems very original. Original interior, stereo (seem most have been replaced?), original radiator, cooling fans, brake reservoirs, air cleaner, and such.
The only thing that looks like it was messed with is the wiring.
 
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