Best Headers for SBC in a CJ?

[Polarfire]

Like the title says, I'm looking for opinions on which headers are the best for a Chevy 350 in my CJ. I currently have an old set of Hooker Headers on there and they are leaking around where they meet with the block. I'm not sure how old they are as they were on the Jeep when I got it. I may just need to replace the gaskets but if I'm going to pull them off to do that I may as well upgrade if I can.

 

[WillyT]

Hedman makes a couple of sets for the SBC conversion, that's the route I'm going when I install mine. I think it depends if you're running a manual or auto.

 

[Randyzzz]

Easiest to fit are the shorty "street rod" headers.

Sanderson seems to make some of the best quality headers. http://www.sandersonheaders.com/

Copper gaskets and Stage 8 locking bolts keep the leaks away. http://www.stage8.com/

 

[Manhattan]

If I'm not mistaken, headers come in three finishes - ceramic coated, stainless steel and rust. On my first CJ, I went with rust. Ooh, and leaks. Rust with leaks. Nothing like a built camming 360 with that sweet "pfft pfft pfft" coming from under the hood.

Okay, no more header cynicism... I've heard good things about Sanderson. But the recommendation I got recently from a high-end (gulp) Land Cruiser shop (they put a lot of SBCs in the old 40s) was having a good set of stock cast iron manifolds ceramic coated.

 

[AK-RWC]

Headers leak. It's just a matter of when, and how much you can tolerate. Thicker flanges are a testiment to quality and longevity.

For my 401, I picked up a set of Doug-Thorley Tri-Ys. The Tri-Y design provides better torque at a slight horsepower expense, and Doug Thorley uses really thick flanges. I ordered mine ceramic coated and they are definitely not rusted. I've only got a couple years of actual run-time on them, and haven't developed any leaks at the flanges, but on Sunday night when I went to put the left side back onto my block, I discovered a crack in one of the Y joints.

 

[Randyzzz]

Sanderson actually makes a cast header, shorty style...

 

[Polarfire]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm looking at the Sanderson's, which ones would fit best for the CJ? I'm running the stock T-5 if that makes a difference. I would like to go with either stainless or ceramic to avoid the rust.

 

[Randyzzz]

The easiest design to work with is the center dump style. In many cases it's just a 90* bend after the collecter and straight on back. Plenty of room for trans/clutch stuff.

 

[WillyT]

I guess I'm going to have to switch over to Sanderson, too nobody seems to like the Hedmans

 

[Randyzzz]

I had Hedmans, they were good headers- but like typical headers they had a tendency to leak. I eventually went to a set of the copper gaskets, that helped but I still had to retorque all the bolts every month or so. Big hassle...their flanges weren't all that thick. I know Sanderson is at least 3/8" on the flanges. Supposedly their newest design eliminates gaskets altogether...

 

[Orionn]

I am running Stock, cast 'Rams Horn' style manifolds, w/center dump.

very easy to work with, flow well, and no leaking issues.

 

[Kane]

The Sanderson cast headers look cool but they are only 1 1/2 primary tubes. I like the shorty with the 1 5/8 primary tubes and center dump. I may have to get these fro mine. Full length headers fit but are a pain.

 

[Orionn]

The Sanderson cast headers look cool but they are only 1 1/2 primary tubes. I like the shorty with the 1 5/8 primary tubes and center dump. I may have to get these fro mine. Full length headers fit but are a pain.

Factory Rams Horn are 2" Center dump and if you look around, you can get 2.5"

 

[FlagJeep]

Go with the rams horn?

I am at the point in my build that I am looking for headers for the sbc going into my Scrambler. It looks here like the best option is the "rams horn" style headers, probably ceramic coated? I think I will look around and try to find a set cheap and coat them, seems like a better deal than the Sanderson Headers if there are no other benefits that I am missing.

Is there something I am missing?

 

[Randyzzz]

Not missing anything. The stock Rams horn manifolds are great, just hard to find sometimes. Some of them had funky brackets cast in, others had odd dump angles. Do some research before you buy.

 

[rreed]

I bought my Sanderson block huggers back when practically no one made small headers for SBC in CJs. Probably a good 10+ years ago. Granted they are nothing more than typical "rat rod" block hugger headers, nothing special or jeep application specific. Almost no rust on them yet, and I can't figure out why. But, when I pull the motor/drive train to swap in my T18 and freshen up the motor seals/gaskets, I considering ruining them by cleaning and POR15 manifold paint. Probably gray so it will contrast nicely when they do start rusting--after the POR15.

Anyways, I forget what my primaries are but the collector is 3" 3-bolt flange. which is completely ridiculous because the muffler shop necked their connecting flange down to around 2" then brought them together around the driver's side --right under the clutch and oil filter--to go back into single 3" pipe (didn't know about the 2 1/2" w/ SBC for torque at the time) all the way out the back. It's weird, but whatever. I'd like to have it all ripped out and properly redone in all 2 1/2" when I pull the motor/swap transmissions but not sure I'll have the money to pee away at it.

ANYWAYS, love my Sandersons, would highly recommend them. A good 10+ years w/ the bare steel ones and practically no rust yet. I do occasionally wash my motor and leave drip dry or sometimes fire it up to let the fan/heat dry everything off. Summit is now making their clone knock-off for around half the price if money is an issue over quality. I've been intersted in Hooker headers/mufflers/exhaust but know nothing more about them other they've been in the hot rod business for centuries.

 

[hyner]

Found a good website for Manifolds. I haven't ordered from them yet, but looking too soon!
http://www.stevensparts.com/CHEV EXHAUST MANIFOLDS.htm#283-307-327-350