Heads and headers

[Obwonkonobe]

Ive got a stock 350 chevy with my 78 c10. My plan for it is to give it vortecs down the road, but for now i wanna put some headers on it. Im thinking about some short tube headers, gonna be looking in craigslist. I have dual 2.something exhaust going off current manifolds. I can weld decently and can adapt the exhaust fine, just need tips on good brands, prices, fitment, etc. And im not sure if headers i but for my current 70s heads will fit 90s vortecs down the road

 

[Frankenchevy]

Not sure about brand or fit on a 2wd, but be wary of cheap company headers used on CL. Take a straight edge with you that’s long enough to span all four ports.

I got some cheapies for my old engine. I bought them new. The first box they brought to the counter didn’t pass the straight edge test, the second ones did.

Nothing worse than getting a new exhaust system built up only to have a leak at the mating surface caused by crap or warped headers.

If you can, get stainless or ceramic.

Good luck

 

[Dougnsalem]

Ive got a stock 350 chevy with my 78 c10. My plan for it is to give it vortecs down the road, but for now i wanna put some headers on it. Im thinking about some short tube headers, gonna be looking in craigslist. I have dual 2.something exhaust going off current manifolds. I can weld decently and can adapt the exhaust fine, just need tips on good brands, prices, fitment, etc. And im not sure if headers i but for my current 70s heads will fit 90s vortecs down the road

Agree with Frankenchevy- make sure the flanges aren't warped. Hooker headers used to be the best, but I would stay away from them. Seems like they're having massive fitment problems with our trucks now. I've got a 79 with a 454. I picked up some decent Hedmans for 60 bucks used off of Craigslist. They even have a slick metal cone down at the collector(to weld your pipe to), instead of the typical 3 bolt collector gaskets and reducers. You can find something for a good deal. Tip- don't tell them what you have- make them tell you what they fit.... Lol. Or, double check for a model number stamped on them. For gaskets at the head, I used Flowtech for the first time. Over 50 bucks for the pair, but man, I retorqued the bolts a couple times, and have had zero leaks. Expensive, but NICE gaskets....

 

[shiftpro]

Also you mentioned short headers...
Short headers are for high rpm. You want long tube headers and also smaller diameter like 1"3/4. Large tubes make great power... over 3500rippems.

 

[Iowan]

Or mid-length, all depending on your plans.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69090/overview/year/1979/make/chevrolet/model/c10 -I have found them cheaper on Amazon.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69010/overview/year/1979/make/chevrolet/model/c10 -Mid-length
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69096/overview/year/1979/make/chevrolet/model/c10 -Long tube ceramic

Some guys say the spark plugs are hard to get in, easy fix is to take a socket and slide it next to the tube that's giving you problems, and ever so carefully beat it with a hammer. No power loss!

 

[4WDKC]

have read the 2wd guys like late 60s-early 70s chevelle and camaro headers. While not designed for trucks the fit is supposed to be better than the truck headers and the tuck up close to bottom of cab so you dont drag them on everything.

 

[shiftpro]

have read the 2wd guys like late 60s-early 70s chevelle and camaro headers. While not designed for trucks the fit is supposed to be better than the truck headers and the tuck up close to bottom of cab so you dont drag them on everything.

What's that smell??!
It's the rug burning from underneath, don't worry about it.

 

[4WDKC]

What's that smell??!
It's the rug burning from underneath, don't worry about it.

hopefully not that close lol

 

[Dougnsalem]

Or mid-length, all depending on your plans.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69090/overview/year/1979/make/chevrolet/model/c10 -I have found them cheaper on Amazon.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69010/overview/year/1979/make/chevrolet/model/c10 -Mid-length
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69096/overview/year/1979/make/chevrolet/model/c10 -Long tube ceramic

Some guys say the spark plugs are hard to get in, easy fix is to take a socket and slide it next to the tube that's giving you problems, and ever so carefully beat it with a hammer. No power loss!

Yeah, that first set has the same collector as mine. "Ball and socket flange". I like that setup A LOT.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Ball and socket is the way to go. I havecVW 1.8t intake valve springs on the flange bolts. The keep them sealed up but in extreme situations allow movement and won’t bust my headers.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Wish they would have came out with the "ball and socket" 30yrs ago, lol..

 

[Obwonkonobe]

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/d/headers/6449749712.html

Any thoughts on these?

 

[bucket]

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/d/headers/6449749712.html

Any thoughts on these?

Crusty and unknown application. Looks like 25 bucks to me.

 

[Obwonkonobe]

Crusty and unknown application. Looks like 25 bucks to me.

I've heard that rust will come off after driving due to heat, could I just roll with that or should I take the rust off before hand, id prefer to have it clean

 

[Dougnsalem]

Ball and socket is the way to go. I havecVW 1.8t intake valve springs on the flange bolts. The keep them sealed up but in extreme situations allow movement and won’t bust my headers.

That's a cool idea. Got a bunch of import exhaust springs that I've collected over the years. Now I can actually use some.... Lol


X2 on Buckets opinion. Those headers are nasty....
You'll find something way better for the money