How to pick the correct headers...

[GXPWeasel]

I'm getting to the point where I'm just about ready to attach the trans back to the engine, and stab it back into the truck. I don't want to put the stock manifolds back on, so that leaves me with the endless choice of headers. I'll be honest, this isn't a show truck, and the engine is painted blue (similar to stock) and I'm not going to have a lot of flash under the hood except maybe a chrome air cleaner. So needless to say, I'm not interested necessarily how the headers look. I don't care to have them fancy ceramic coated, and I plan to just high temp paint either black or white. Where I'm stuck though is header length, and then, less worried about, but maybe just as important, primary size...
So what say you that have header experience? I'm lowered, but only 2", so I don't feel like I really have to worry about having them tucked up tight under the truck. However, I don't want long tubes sticking below the frame by 4" either. So do I skip what could be an iffy selection, and just go with mid-length headers? I do want it to be relatively easy for me to run exhaust. I thought about doing myself by purchasing plain tubing and bends and a muffler, and going to town. This would probably be easier with long tubes. I know, I have a lot of questions, but I really don't want to purchase headers twice.

Help please!

 

[WFO]

I usually get the plain full length headers for a Chevelle or Camaro. Bolt them up, then put a rosebud tip on my cutting torch, get the tubes red hot where they transition from vertical to horizontal, and bend them up and out of the way.
Then pull them back off, sand and paint with high temp paint.

 

[Rick Smith]

Hey, if you purchase painted headers you might want to sand the black off and paint with heat paint. the black is just a protectant.

 

[GXPWeasel]

Hey, if you purchase painted headers you might want to sand the black off and paint with heat paint. the black is just a protectant.

yep, will do.

Anyone have picture of their long tubes from the bottom / side of the truck? Post the picture, and what headers you have if possible. I'd like to see how low they hang below the truck.

 

[Bextreme04]

yep, will do.

Anyone have picture of their long tubes from the bottom / side of the truck? Post the picture, and what headers you have if possible. I'd like to see how low they hang below the truck.

Is this on a SBC or a BBC? I have cheapo($50 used) flotech long tubes on my 350 in the K25. They don't hang down farther than my shackles do on the front leaf springs, but it would likely be visibly hanging low on a 2wd. @Catbox has a set of chevelle headers, I think, on his 454 and they tuck up nice and tight to the underside without having any interference.

 

[bucket]

I had Hooker and Flowtech headers (both meant for trucks) on my C10 when it was a small block and I don't remember them hanging much lower than the frame rails. It's a big block now, with Hedman headers meant for a Nova and they don't hang below the frame rails.

Definitely go with long tubes. Overall length of the primaries isn't a big deal on a mild engine. If small block, 1 5/8 tubes are kinda the "fits all" size for stock and mild engines.

I don't think there's much available for mid length?

Don't even consider shorties, imho. May as well just stick with manifolds.

 

[GXPWeasel]

Sorry' SBC (wee oh five).
Bextreme04 & Bucket, thanks. Those descriptions are helpful.

 

[Mark Ugrich]

Headers on a street engine that operates at a relatively low rpm range have very little effect.Headers show gains in the upper rpm ranges in most cases.That being said,use as small a primary tube as possible.It will help maintain flow velocity,which is what makes a header work.

 

[Catbox]

I know now that you are a small block engine.
But here is what the Nova headers look like on the big block in my 2wd 3/4 ton.
They do not hang down at all.
This photo shows them with me under the truck looking for them

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This photo is with me level with the bottom of the chassis rail to see how tight they are.

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I would imagine the small block headers would be in the same-ish area.

 

[Bextreme04]

The SBC flotech type truck headers sit about 3-4" lower than that. Not a big deal on my 4wd truck, since they sit right about where the spring shackles are anyways.

 

[MikeB]

I used Patriot long tube headers on my 82 C10 with a 350. They tucked up nice and high, but I had to slightly bend the fuel and brake lines near the motor mount on the passenger side, and relocate the clamp. No clearance problems anywhere else. Gaskets were worthless as usual, so I used some good gaskets with a steel core.

 

[GXPWeasel]

Wow guys. Thanks for the words of wisdom, and the great pictures. This definitely helps me out, and gives me a couple of choices the way I see it. If anyone else would like to post their pictures and/or brand of header and how they fit, be my guest.
I'll update this post when I decide, and post pictures how they sit.

 

[shiftpro]

Wow guys. Thanks for the words of wisdom, and the great pictures. This definitely helps me out, and gives me a couple of choices the way I see it. If anyone else would like to post their pictures and/or brand of header and how they fit, be my guest.
I'll update this post when I decide, and post pictures how they sit.

You will want to pre-fit the tubes before you paint them. Don't be afraid to pound dents in them for clearance. Also check where the header bolts pass close to any tubes... you might want to clearance there a but too.
If you can, sandbast the headers before painting. If you go that far see if you can get heavy bast medium. The rougher you can leave the metal the better for the heat paint.
Long tubes, small diameter.

But on your 305 don't expect to feel any more power with these. Sorry.

 

[78C10BigTen]

I have no idea wtf my headers are as they were layin around but they fit and i custom jobbed the exhaust to fit. Stock height and a 350 2wd. Hang a lil low but never an issue.

 

[rt66paul]

Headers on a street engine that operates at a relatively low rpm range have very little effect.Headers show gains in the upper rpm ranges in most cases.That being said,use as small a primary tube as possible.It will help maintain flow velocity,which is what makes a header work.

How about using Rams Horns? They fit, are easy to hook up and don't get in the way. Unless you are expecting 6500 rpm, I wouldn't overthink it.