Good morning, Building a 1964 El Camino and need to decide on headers. I am probably going to go plain steel and paint and season myself. I am trying to decided on long tube or clipster. It will be a 283 with a TREMAC 5 speed. Any issues on fitment or clearances that I should consider?
Headers
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In my experience paint on headers doesn’t hold up well. Ceramic coating holds up much better and helps with under hood temperatures. You can send plain steel headers out for coating. I’ve heard Jet Hot Carries a life time warranty or many choices in pre coated headers.
The forum is loaded with threads on headers, fitment,coating,etc.
The forum is loaded with threads on headers, fitment,coating,etc.
This. Every time I change my oil I tell myself I’m going to remote mount the filter. Then I forget about it until the next time I change my oil. It’s a vicious and unhealthy cycle.
I yanked the headers off of both my 65 Impala and 64 C10, and went with factory rams horn exhaust manifolds. Both are 355ci engines. Headers are no longer worth the hassle to me. Sadly, the rams horn manifolds won't fit a Chevelle.
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I have never had a good experience with any type or brand of headers. If I get a car with them, the first thing I do is remove them and put the factory manifolds on. I hated them in the 60's and still do.
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If it were my El Camino-------------------AND IT IS NOT------------------ with a 283, I would not even consider headers. I would stay with the stock, log style manifolds, PLUS a FULL free flowing dual exhaust system.
After 80yrs on this planet, I'm done with headers -----------------EXCEPT------------- the 70 conv. UNFORTUNATELY, 2 1/2in Ram Horn manifolds will not work on a Chevelle with a SB. The 70 has a healthy SB400, which I would prefer to have iron manifolds, BUT, there is no such thing as 2 1/2in log style manifolds for a Chevelle. Thus, my only acceptable option was headers. I sure wish someone would make a replica of the log manifolds in a 2 1/2in version. I would buy them in a HEARTBEAT!
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After 80yrs on this planet, I'm done with headers -----------------EXCEPT------------- the 70 conv. UNFORTUNATELY, 2 1/2in Ram Horn manifolds will not work on a Chevelle with a SB. The 70 has a healthy SB400, which I would prefer to have iron manifolds, BUT, there is no such thing as 2 1/2in log style manifolds for a Chevelle. Thus, my only acceptable option was headers. I sure wish someone would make a replica of the log manifolds in a 2 1/2in version. I would buy them in a HEARTBEAT!
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deleted bad info.
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I removed Hooker long tubes for Sanderson short tubes. Today I was looking at my OEM cast iron manifolds as a header replacement. Their heat output would be more manageable because they take up so much less space. The heat shielding of other components needn't be so creative. Spark plug wires fit the plugs more easily, the oil filter is more accessible. And stainless steel down-pipes are under $200.
But the epoxy coated Sanderson's sure are pretty.
But the epoxy coated Sanderson's sure are pretty.
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I will double down on all the previous statements that headers on a street car can be a major source of frustration. Yes they provide the added scavanging effect vs manifolds, but to most people that's where the advantages end. A street driven 283 with overdrive will spend a good portion of it's life in the lower rpm range so I doubt you'll ever notice much of difference with headers vs stock 2" outlet manifolds. If you're in the 300hp+ range with your 283 and you'd like a bit more top end breathing, the Hooker 2.5" outlet manifolds are worth considering. They come with a 2-bolt outlet flange so some custom work will be needed. I wish they designed them to accept a 3-bolt flange 2.5" big block downtube but oh well.
Hooker SBC Manifolds
Hooker SBC Manifolds
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Be a very good idea to heed the wisdom of an 80-year-old man with such a beautiful small block.
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I'm guessing you are NOT familiar with Chevelles, right?
A Ram horn manifold, will NOT, repeat, NOT fit on a small block in a Chevelle. That's why Chevelles use LOG style manifolds with REAR outlets.
If a Ram Horn manifold is installed on a small block in a Chevelle, the manifold outlet is IMMEDIATELY, repeat, IMMEDIATELY above the cross member. There is no possible way to attach an exhaust pipe to a Ram Horn on a small block in a Chevelle.
The below ex manifolds are the ONLY factory manifolds that will work on a small block in a Chevelle------------------AND ALL SB LOG MANIFOLDS ARE 2in ONLY.
This is not a SB installation in a Chevelle, but it shows the log style manifolds which must be used on a SB in a Chevelle.
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Had a brain fart and were thinking they were rear exit like the ones you posted. I stand corrected..must of been visualizing the bb manifold.
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At one time a few years ago I ran a 283 "temporary" motor in front of my TKO600. I bought some Hedman headers for it, full length, long tube. They fit well and I had good spark plug access. I later donated those to my son, who had a chap set of Flowtek headers that did not fit well at all.
Devin
Devin
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