The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop V-8 Exaust headers

I am putting my '66 283 back together and was wondering a few things:
Can I put exaust headers on this? and will it fit inside the engine compartment and inner fenders?
If I do this where would I bolt the alternator bracket? Tight now it goes on the manifold boss.
One last thing, do headers make the engine run cooler with the bigger diameter than the old rams horn?
Thanks for the help.
Gary

hello headers from hooker work well , as for the alta you have to make ext bolt. headers get the air thur. but heat comes from ouer fueling,to much timing or not enough, coolant mix to strong or not enough. lots of little things.

If you get the " shorty " or " block hugger " type headers should have plenty of room. Not sure about the Alternator mounting although there are many after market bracket setups available. Headers flow a lot better than the rams head cast iron pieces, although with a stock 283 wnon't make a huge difference. If you go headers pay the extra $ for the ceramic coated ones - the chrome plated will eventually rust. Ceramic also dissipates heat better.

I beleive Headman and Mr Gasket both make a bracket for mounting the alternator with headers. I don't think the engine will run much cooler but it should run better with headers and a good dual exhaust system. Good luck.

Sean

I believe "Britcon" may be a little off base. Ceramic headers do not in MHO dissipate heat better. Ceramics are not a good conductor of heat. What is going on is the heat from the hot gasses is send through the exhaust system and out the back rather than transferred through bare steel into the engine compartment.

I say, dump the headers and go with the manifolds. You'll never see any horsepower gains and have nothing but headaches with headers.
Just my 2 cents though,
Scott

Have headers on my current '63 and had ram manifolds on a previous '63. I don't have problems with the headers and only imagine performance difference from the sound out the exhaust. 283 heads don't flow enough to realize a noticeable difference with headers. If you want more performance, drop in a bigger motor.

Thanks for all the input. I'm not looking for more performance, but trying to see what the options might be to not get the heat discoloration on the engine and center of the intake. Thought maybe bigger diameter or duals might do it. the stock rams work for me.
Gary

Don't buy cheap headers-they need a flange at least 3/8" thick or you will have leaks. here are mine, hooker Comp series, never had a leak, fit well. Brian

It is most important to keep the tube size small on sbc chevies. 1 1/2 to 15/8 is best. You need the back psi. Run the exhaust pipe all the way back and put your mufflers behind the rear axle. This allows the heat to travel all the way back before it hits a restriction. (disipates more heat) Don`t let anyone kid you headers flow much better allow the engine to breathe and will add performance and ecconmey both. You can`t go wrong with headers. Pay for good ones. Wrap them in heat sheid, and use quality gaskets. I like to use the copper lip type. Have a fun day, and do the headers.
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