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Quick question, I spent couple hours looking but I couldn't find my answer. 60-66 owners with small blocks and headers, what STYLE headers did you use and what issues did you have? Not concerned about flow, leaks, just fit and clearance.
Thanks much in advance,

Tony

the old cast rams horn seems to fit your bill. flow is good and the won't leak.

I bought new 2 1/2" ramhorns from O'Rielly's (made in china) for around $65 each. That was a year or 2 ago. Probably get them online too.

I appreciate that.

I am looking exclusively for either shorty or full-length headers, though, I'm ready to put in my engine, and I don't want to choke it off. I firmly believe in letting it breathe as much as I can, so it's going to have at least 1.5" primary tubes, and 2.5" duals with an x-pipe and flowmasters, just need to find out what header model crosses over.

I tried a "standard truck header" today, without the engine in, and the driver's side outlet is pointing directly at the shift linkage, so they won't work.

Any further tips are appreciated, and thanks again Builder and Gazim.

Tony

The best way to stay out of the way of everthing is with block hugger headers. I used Patriot tight tuck headers from Summit on my '62.

I have heard (a typical expression heard around shade tree mechanics) that headers aren't effective on engines with less than 10 to 1 compression.

Ill put in a 3rd on the Rams Horns..mine fit good except I had to make a round cut in the upper side of the C-Channel on the passengers side bought half the diameter of a beer can, I welded a stiffener plate round that cut.
But as far as sealing they work great and there was plenty of room for my relocated steerin linkage to the box.
Tim

The ram horns are readly available in salvage yards etc. I think Tony is overlooking a easy fit, cheap price, efficent header

Thanks all.

As far as the effectiveness, the engine I put in is running 10:1 C/R. I wouldn't mind using ram's horns, but I really want to get the most out of the engine I can. I picked up a cheap set of Hedman headers designed for the 64, as regular long tube truck headers dump right at the trans linkage. That's what I'm going to use until I swap the powerglide out for a 700r4.

Thanks again.

Tony

I used the blockhuggers on my 55 with a 350 engine.I would have preferred full lenght headers,but they interferred with my steering setup. They work just fine,although I think a set of Rams horn manifolds would be just as effective.I am also using Flowmaster mufflers but no crossover.With the 700R4 behind the engine and the stock 3:90 rearend I get 20 MPG all day long.And it sounds great.Another header you might want to ck.out is the S10 conversion headers.I used them on a 1937 Chevy with a 350 SB,and glasspacks.

Dale, what mufflers are you using? I was thinking about the Super 44s, but I'm not sure if they'll be too loud. I want that hollow, deep sound, but I want it to be livable inside the truck, too.
Thanks,
Tony

Tony, I put these on about 6 yrs .ago and purchased them thru a local repair shop.At the time I think there were two mufflers available, loud,and louder. I believe the Super 40s are a little newer muffler.My mufflers are not real loud,but they have a nice rumble to them.I think that with any set of headers,or the rams horn manifolds,just about any muffler would work out real nice. Glass packs,or any performance muffler.However with glasspacks you will get a more raspier sound.Another muffler I have used is the Magnaflow muffler,sounds more like a glasspack.As far as the crossover is concerned ,I have never used one,so I cannot comment on them.My 55 has just the right rumble to it. Everybody thinks it has a big block in it when I pull into a cruisin,but its just a little old 350.I am fortunate to have two good speed shops in my area,where I can always get good reccomendations on parts.I have heard some of the guys running the Flowmaster Super 40s and to me they are a little too loud,they sound just like straight pipes.But then again thats just personal prefference.

Update:
Headers are on, they fit, but with the power steering the previous owner installed, it hits one of the hoses, and they run along one of the brake lines (power brakes also installed by prev. owner), so I have to reroute them. Headers fit well, otherwise, and they're about 4" shorter than regular truck headers, angled down some so they go under the shift linkage. Got the mufflers today (Flowmaster Super 44s), I'll probably be firing it up later tomorrow.

On a side note, I am just finishing rebuilding the Powerglide with a B&M performance master overhaul kit, mating it with a TCI Streetfighter 2,000RPM stall convertor to match what the cam profile is, and match the powerband in the engine.

Wish me luck, and I'll let you know just how loud the exhaust is when I fire it up.

Thanks again, Dale.

Tony

I got the headers and engine in, FINALLY!!

Here's the issues I had, bear in mind you may not have the same, depending on your own setup.

I used Hedman Hedders, can't remember the part number, but they're for 63-66 C-10. Fit real nice, but I had to move some stuff.

For starters, I had to re-route the brake lines outside the frame, and under to the crossmember, as they ran directly into and along the driver's side header.
Second thing was I had to fabricate a power steering line, the one that was on there was looped up onto a header tube and could not be rerouted.
Third, made new trans cooler lines as they also ran along the headers where they go thru the frame.
Fourth, put a heat shield on the starter solenoid. Maybe not necessary, but it's only about 4" from the header primaries.
Fifth, I am going to have to put the protective heat boots on the plugs, as they sit awful close to the tubes, and I'm sure they won't be long for this world if I don't.

On a lighter note, with open headers that thing sounds AWESOME!!!! The cam makes for really nice rumpity.

EDIT:
I won't be running it open headers though, too loud for me unless I was at the track... Running Flowmaster Super 44s as soon as I get the right collectors from Oreilly's.

I used 40 flomasters and the crossover pipe seemed to change the sound level, a little quieter.

I used headman's for a 67-72 body style .I had to heat the primay tubes evenly and pull down the collector to clear the bellhouseing crossmemeber.Lasted 11 years,3 states and a ton of miles .

I put the super 44s on tonight, they're still pretty loud, but it deepened the tone quite a bit, and took out the rasp. Gotta get the trans working, then I'll know what it will sound like on the road.