Header selection info needed

I am restoring a 69FB with a 400 engine, car came to me with stock exhaust manifolds. I have heard stories of headers not fitting and installation issues. Does anyone have experience and know of a particular brand that will bolt in trouble free?? please specify type and size, Car has PS, PB, Automatic trans. appreciate the info. JD  

No headers are trouble free ! I don't have a firebird but on a 69 GTO on the left side the 3rd bolt back is a *** !!! Some Firebird guys should be able to help you on this one .  

I'm afraid I am not much of header fan anymore. You might want to consider Ram Air III headers and avoid the fitment problems.  My 80 has Headman long tubes on it and they had to be dimpled to clear the sub frame; the starter is impossible to service with out removing the header, and the oil filter is another problem.  Getting them tight, well, good luck on that.

If your going full race then maybe they are worth it to you.  On the street chances are you won't ever notice the difference between the long tubes and the Ram Air headers. If your set on headers spend a little more and buy good ones and an expletive dictionary ...

Milt  

I have a 68 FB with a 400 /461. I'm currently running hedmann 3 pipe version, PN 28140, I have a manual and had to bend/ dent (nickel size 1/2 inch deep) the middle pipe (large pipe) on the driver side to clear the clutch leakage. I ordered the 35276's and the fit was not what I was expecting, 1 inch off the floor board, 4-5 inches shorter than the 28140's. I run a adapter between my oil filter and oil filter housing (1 inch thick) and I would have had a heck of a time changing filters. Summit took them back and I ordered Hooker 4902-1. Did a mock up and look like they will fit nice, will post after this weekend after installation.  

Hello 69birdjd

I don’t have recent personal experience with them on a Pontiac but perhaps this along with others suggestions including those mentioned above will get you there.

What is the absolute maximum amount of money will you spend on headers only?

How much will you spend on remaining exhaust system?

Here’s one major problem. Just because someone installed any brand of headers 5 years ago or more this is absolutely guarantee whatsoever the same “exact” header will fit today. Why you ask? Good question. It’s often attributed to a rreduction in quality of mfg and quality control inspection. Most everyone is tryong to cut costs recently.

The best you can hope for is that someone who has very recently installed a set and they actually fit will post here for you.

My only suggestions are the following.

1. buy them from summit. They have a ridiculously generous return policy.

2.most header mfg’s make a budget and a high end model. The high end ones typicall have a thicker ex flange and thicker tubes. The high end ones are most always a different shape  than the budget ones and for some reason seem to fit better.

3. between dougs and hooker I have heard hooker super cxomps fit better more often than dougs.

4. some people buy them painted in case they have to modify them and coat them afterwards if they want.

5. if you have the money you can get a set custom made for around $700.00.

6. if you don’t have to have headers than use the cast iron ram air ones mr milt suggested.

7. i  use remflex gaskets only and nothing else, not one leak ever. Jegs also has super soft aluminum ones from percy’s p/n 76066041, proform or mr gasket but I have never tried them. Others opinions may vary here.

good luck.  

I use Percy's on my big block.No leaks and haven't had to retighten yet.  
alley find 69goat #'s match 400ys,th400,3:55,249000 miles / 66 beaumont,454,tko500,3:73 auburn ls

Thank you for the advice. I ask the question because I read that some folks had issues near the steering box,  maybe brand related. I read that Dougs were a very good quality. To answer the question about price, that is really not much of an issue. The remaining system will be very simple, glass pack type mufflers dumped out in front of the rear wheel. This car is not a slave to originality, more like an old school hot rod so to speak.  I have dealt a lot with summit on this project and I concur they are very good. I have not considered the ram air manifolds but will look into that as well. Hoping someone post a recent experience with a particular brand.  Thanks again, JD  

This is a street cruiser, I will look into the Ram air exhaust it sounds interesting knowing the other oil filter and starter issues.  Thx JD  

Appreciate the info, will look forward to your results.  THX JD  

Hello 69birdjd

The ram air manifolds will be around 40% quieter than headers but almost as loud outside. Headers will give you around 50% more hp if you have a decent size cam like a 268 advertised duration or greater otherwise the hp difference will be less.

The ram air manifolds will fit guaranteed, won't leak and won't interfere with anything.

Hope this info helps.  

Barnett468,
Thanks for the info, after researching the Ram Air manifolds I do like them a lot. I am still researching headers and have a friend that knows someone that makes custom headers for race cars. The HP issue may be small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, I do not intend to race the car, just go fast once in awhile. The noise well, not a big problem, its a convertible and I can always get a bigger amp and speakers. Thxs again!  

+1 on the ram air cast manifolds. we put a set on a 76 and  80 t/a . sound great, good fit and no leaks. you will need the long branch style, colectors and oil filter adapter.  
76 455/4spd TRANS AM
69 GRAND PRIX 406/5SPD

hello 69birdjd

thanks i'm glad my info helped you. however mr milt mentioned them in the first place because i figured you had just asked about headers, my bad. rowsley also added some helpful comments that i did not know about.

If you use them i strongly recommend painting them with high temp exhaust manifold paint that comes in a small paint can not a spray can, available from eastwood or local car shops etc. this will significantly increase their resistance to rust.

thanks again  

Hello 69birdjd,

I know your headache.
The headers are easy when you get used to them.. The issues you're having I know of them from Automatic standpoint.
The Autos had linkages that turn the sleeve of the column which was set up for the models with column shifts... well the console shifters still turn that column peice to trigger the back up lights.
The linkages are in the way and braced off the frame RIGHT where the left bank header comes through. I eliminated mine and set up the switch on my console shifter...
You with  a standard trans.. I dont know without trying to modify and dont know anyone who did it successfully myself with a stick...
But kooks may have headers that could work... they are pricy! I wont pull your chain. But I know the parts your referring too and as many times as I was under my car.. you may be able to move those brackets back.. but extending it to do it and hit the shifts adequately is the question I cannot answer. Again I modified my set up because I couldnt solve it with those parts in place. Hunting down old performance manifolds.. I couldnt be bothered. I dont know if they are anymore readily available... But not much to our engines in the way of factory performance is.
Starter issue.. easily solved by jumping your starter solenoid on the starter and rerouting wires to a ford starter solenoid on the fender or firewall. Part number F492 out of AutoZone or Advance/O'reillys..
I did it and have never had a hot start since.
Post up some pic's of your bird. And if you got some other questions man hit me up... I can wander out to the driveway and look at what you are looking at.. other than standard trans... I went to drag racing mine when I built it.. Things have changed..
But happy to help where I can.  
Viagra and Torque are one in the same they both get you up!

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Viagra and Torque are one in the same they both get you up!