The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Headers or oem exhaust

I'm cleaning up my 59 283 to put it back in my 3800 1-ton, i got a new edelbrock intake and carb, but i'm thinking about gettin a set of close to the block headers, i started to look at the oem exhaust manifold that i have and a set of used headers at a swapmeet and the size of the ports and inside diameter of the casting is making wonder if a set of headers would give me any advantage over the stock setup? does anybody have any opinions on this?

I think you will get varying opinions on this issue. When you add headers you can loose some low end torque, and gain some high end HP. With a " stock " 283 probably no performance gain, although they look good when u pop the hood. If you go with headers, try to use the ceramic coated ones as they don't corrode. I have had chromed ones which eventually rust.

For most users a set of OE style ramshorn manifolds is more than adequate. By in large aftermarket headers offer more to the maker than the stock engine user. Also block huggers can be tough for plug wiring and heat build up on starters which a lot of folks have experienced. There are new cast rams style available or you may find an original set on e-Bay or swap meets. I think you'd be happier in the long run.

Why did you replace the intake & carb?

Panman, Speedway Motors has inexpensive stainless steel blockhugger headers. If you have a tig welder or access to one the rest of the exhaust system can be made of stainless also.

Stainless steel becomes slightly honey colored from exhaust heat. I like that color but others may not.

It takes a lot of heat to cause that color change. In fact, welding heat causes it. That honey color indicates proper welding temperature. Blue indicates overheating from welding and black is burned metal that isn't even stainless any more.

I weld as an amateur, not a pro.