Gutless II

[Bleever]

Need advice on Headers. Jegs has one set that they say bolts up, if I'm reading right, Hedman shortys $289. Hooker gives some confusing recomendations on their webpage. I did a little research on shortys, and it looks like the performance may be similar to manifolds. Don't want to screw around for ever, (complete new exhaust) for a meager HP gain.

It looks like there are issues with my truck. 79 f250 400 cid 4speed 4x4. BL

 

[Truckin4life]

For an all new exhaust. Long tubes. Tri-ys if you can afford it... but long tubes at the minimal. Shorties are for keeping factory exhaust...

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Subscribing to see what everyone suggests. I seem to be the only one to ever be happy going from headers back to manifolds so I'm never much help in header selection lol. I went through 2 sets then ditched them for manifolds when I put the new engine in.

 

[redneckryder]

Subscribing to see what everyone suggests. I seem to be the only one to ever be happy going from headers back to manifolds so I'm never much help in header selection lol. I went through 2 sets then ditched them for manifolds when I put the new engine in.

why? what did you find better about the manifolds than the headers?

 

[O'Rattlecan]

Most guys have a hard time keeping gaskets in headers and they tend to deteriorate quicker. If you do them with the correct fasteners, good gaskets, and a substantial flange (the thicker the better) then you have much better luck with headers.

As far as brand goes, I only have experience with the one brand that I have on the truck, and want to give you positive feedback. They are "Pace Setter" headers, and were the "Summit House" brand when I bought them. I'm not saying every "House Brand" at Summit is Pace Setter, but I will recommend anything that says Pace Setter on it.

Ryan

 

[m78]

Subscribing to see what everyone suggests. I seem to be the only one to ever be happy going from headers back to manifolds so I'm never much help in header selection lol. I went through 2 sets then ditched them for manifolds when I put the new engine in.

I like to do things only once. So I stick with manifolds.
I do love the sound of a good set of headers though.

 

[UNRULEE]

For a 4x4 I say fenderwell exits or Sanderson (the ONLY shorties availible).

Every other header that I've seen (and the Heddmans that I used to run) put the collectors right into the trans crossmember. Makes routing the pipes a pain and some even have to run one of the pipes under the x-member, and that looks like crap if you ask me. Plus if you offroad enough, you'll crush that pipe pretty easily.

I went with the Sandersons. http://www.sandersonheaders.com/index.php They're not a mainstream company, and not many are aware that there are shorties availible for these era of truck/engine combo. They're a little more spendy but the quality is top notch, and the flanges are 5\8" thick. Since putting mine on over a year ago I've had zero issues with leaks.

Some pics.

Flange difference between the Sanderson's and the Heddmans.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

The headers I had kept blowing out gaskets because of the flanges not being thick enough where they bolt to the head. They were the summit house brand. The second set was from hedman I believe and had the same issue. If you go with headers get ones with thick flanges. I also did not notice a power difference when I put them on so changing gaskets frequently was a big waste of time for me. I put manifolds on and have 0 issues as of now. I wouldn't discourage someone from headers because the sounds is great. I loved it. But now that I have manifolds and glasspacks I'm happy with it.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

Another consideration with headers - use the correct fasteners. I know I already briefly mentioned it, but don't use the bolts that come with it. Get some of the non-backing sets of bolts. You're going to spend $40-$50 on bolts, but it'll pay for itself in gaskets.

If those bolts back out even half a turn, the pressure difference on different parts of the heads is enormous and creates 'weak spots' where the gasket is destined to blow right out of there.

Ryan

 

[LEB Ben]

Lee nailed it. I have a set of Sandies on my red truck. They're everything I could ask for. No, they're not offering up what a full length or Tri-Y do...but it's an improvement over stock. If you go with Hedman, expect to be replacing them every few years from rusting out...and if you're doing that you'll pay more on the back end. What exactly is confusing you about the Hooker site?