Hooker long tubes tips??

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MoparMcK

MoparMcK

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Installing Hooker long tubes on my 318 4spd Demon. Just wondering if there are any tips to making this easier? I have found the instructions from hookers also. Seems very helpful. I just know there are plenty of people that have already installed these and have learned a few tricks. Thanks for any help!!
 
I don't mean to come and crap in your thread; please save yourself the sorrow and throw them in the trash and go get a set of Doug's 453. They drop right in.

I ordered the ceramic coated from Jeg's for $503 shipped with an autozone %20 discount price match. Much cooler in the engine bay.

Been there, done that. Got the D shaped primary tubes AFTER I paid the price of beating the crap out of them to get the fit. :roll:

Not to mention I had to re-work the mid-pipe because the damn thing was too short from running those old headers!
 
X's 2, what he said.

Tips to install? Follow the directions and get a buddy or two.
When it comes time to lift the car up, remember this, there's no way you can get it high enough.

Be safe, use your head, be safe, get friends, be safe, TAKE YOUR TIME!
Then, use your head and be safe with your friends!
 
PoisonDart74 said:
I don't mean to come and crap in your thread; please save yourself the sorrow and throw them in the trash and go get a set of Doug's 453. They drop right in.

I ordered the ceramic coated from Jeg's for $503 shipped with an autozone %20 discount price match. Much cooler in the engine bay.

Been there, done that. Got the D shaped primary tubes AFTER I paid the price of beating the crap out of them to get the fit. :roll:

Not to mention I had to re-work the mid-pipe because the damn thing was too short from running those old headers!
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Have Hooker Super Comps, easy to install & still hang way too low on the passenger side. Why spend almost ( or more?) on thirty year old designed pipes,when a lower profile ,better fitting product can be had,for the same price?
 
Well these are budget friendly, otherwise yes I would spend $500 or so on a set that drops in without trying. LOL. These are the ones that normally run for $190 new, I got them for $75. I just do not want to reinstall the stock manifolds not that the car has a better cam and heads. Makes no sense. I will have the directions printed off and have some fun. I hope to have the motor and trans back in today. Then do the break in tomorrow. Thanks for tips!!!
 
Well they are in. laid them in the bay while we lowered the motor and trans in. WAY easier than I thought it would be. Had the draglink off and thats it. No beating or banging. Only took roughly 20 minutes to have everything mounted and in place. Once again, thanks for the tips.
 
Trouble is they will be pancaked in no time , unless your real careful or it's a track only car . They are 75.00 for a reason .
 
i have hooker super comps on one duster and tti on my other duster the hookers fit perect and you can work on the starter . the tti's fit perfect also but it is near impossable to work on the starter . i have zero complaints with my hookers 15 years and the same exhaust and collector gaskets and no leaks. and i paid alot more than 75 bucks for them 15 years ago .
 
I did that once and when I lowered the car and looked underneath I jack the car back up took them back out and threw them across the back yard. They were brand new and
still have them sitting beside my garage.
I learned the money way (not good) Spend until it works LOL!
Never again. Bought TTI's.
This is my opinion. Hope it will work for you. But they hang way to low.

Darryl
 
jimjimjimmy said:
i have hooker super comps on one duster and tti on my other duster the hookers fit perect and you can work on the starter . the tti's fit perfect also but it is near impossable to work on the starter . i have zero complaints with my hookers 15 years and the same exhaust and collector gaskets and no leaks. and i paid alot more than 75 bucks for them 15 years ago .
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Work on the starter on the car? I make sure mine is working before install on the bench.
Also use a starter from a 2000 RAM van as it is much smaller and cheap.
 
I was worried when everyone said they sit way too low. They do not sit much lower than the stock oil pan does. As for now I am happy it went smooth and we will see on the road test here in the next couple days.
 
Hey man, I was all cocky just like you. Thought I had beat the matrix.

Good luck, I hope yours turn out better than mine did. My guess is if it doesn't, you won't be back to warn others; just let it slide bro, well cover you. :roll:



I don't understand why people spend 8 million on an engine, then cheap out on two of the most important parts; headers and torque converters. Blows me away.
 
GEO said:
Good for you proving all the supposed EXPERTS on here wrong
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Considering he had the engine out and lowered it in while the headers were in the engine bay proved a move I would not have done as well as a bit of info missing from the question when first posted.

How long will it take you to do with the engine installed and having to remove the exhaust manifolds?
 
rumblefish360 said:
Considering he had the engine out and lowered it in while the headers were in the engine bay proved a move I would not have done as well as a bit of info missing from the question when first posted.

How long will it take you to do with the engine installed and having to remove the exhaust manifolds?
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2-3 hours at the most , I have hookers on my 340 dart
 
4geardemon said:
I was worried when everyone said they sit way too low. They do not sit much lower than the stock oil pan does. As for now I am happy it went smooth and we will see on the road test here in the next couple days.
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my milodon oil pan sits lower than my hookers and i have been using mini starters since they first came out . all i can say is mine fit good and they are quality made. i must say i had to change to manual steering . the power steering hookers my not fit very well and my car is a 73 also .
 
PoisonDart74 said:
Hey man, I was all cocky just like you. Thought I had beat the matrix.

Good luck, I hope yours turn out better than mine did. My guess is if it doesn't, you won't be back to warn others; just let it slide bro, well cover you. :roll:



I don't understand why people spend 8 million on an engine, then cheap out on two of the most important parts; headers and torque converters. Blows me away.
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Not being cocky, just stating how things went for me. I just found out a local guy had these same style headers on his duster with a 360 auto. He had no issues either. dropped the draglink and had to use a stubby oil filter. Otherwise he said they were a breeze and lasted for him. Lets just say some people have better luck than others.

Plus I did not spend millions on my motor. I did a cam swap on a stock 318 since the one in it went flat. quick simple flip. My buddy needed some cash and sold me these headers that came with his Duster. Less than half the cost of brand new for the same thing. Why wouldn't I buy them???
 
GEO said:
2-3 hours at the most , I have hookers on my 340 dart
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Last set of the typical headers I did were in my el cheapo duster a few years back. Hookers as well coupled to a Summit 2-1/2 exhaust system. The headers? Hated it. Bang bang bang! It took me a little longer than your posted time. No big deal. I knew I was in for it when I started.
The Summit exhaust system, loved it.
I just think it sucks that any decent design is spendy.

4geardemon said:
My buddy needed some cash and sold me these headers that came with his Duster. Less than half the cost of brand new for the same thing. Why wouldn't I buy them???
Click to expand...

Nice price! It's just those danm 3 low hanging tubes through the center link. Very annoying!
 
4geardemon said:
Well they are in. laid them in the bay while we lowered the motor and trans in. WAY easier than I thought it would be. Had the draglink off and thats it. No beating or banging. Only took roughly 20 minutes to have everything mounted and in place. Once again, thanks for the tips.
Click to expand...

GEO said:
Good for you proving all the supposed EXPERTS on here wrong
Click to expand...

exactly . I have a ton of experience with these things and everyone talks trash about them but I have never had any issues what so ever. I have found its operator error and inexperience that destroys them
 
Slowly but steadily I am getting everything buttoned up on this thing. The starter and draglink did take some time to get reinstalled but I did win the battle. Although the passenger header does hit where the draglink and tie rod all hook up. Only hits when steering of course. Kind of weird, everything I read on these said the drivers side was the issue. Minimal set back. I moved on to something else and will return to that issue later.
 
4geardemon said:
Slowly but steadily I am getting everything buttoned up on this thing. The starter and draglink did take some time to get reinstalled but I did win the battle. Although the passenger header does hit where the draglink and tie rod all hook up. Only hits when steering of course. Kind of weird, everything I read on these said the drivers side was the issue. Minimal set back. I moved on to something else and will return to that issue later.
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if the idler arm or related parts are old and/or loose or worn out , it will let the tie rod come up enough to tap the header. in all my days with these long tube headers, I have never had any set backs with the right side , though I have seen how close the tie rod can come to it. a used up engine mount can also contribute.
 
73AbodEE said:
if the idler arm or related parts are old and/or loose or worn out , it will let the tie rod come up enough to tap the header. in all my days with these long tube headers, I have never had any set backs with the right side , though I have seen how close the tie rod can come to it. a used up engine mount can also contribute.
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I just took a grinder and polished down the tie rod end a little. Problem solved.
 
rumblefish360 said:
How long will it take you to do with the engine installed and having to remove the exhaust manifolds?
Click to expand...

I'll find out this week. I have a set arriving tomorrow. Although I wont be removing stock manifolds. I'll be replacing the ratty set of Headmans that came with the car.

Ted
 
73AbodEE said:
exactly . I have a ton of experience with these things and everyone talks trash about them but I have never had any issues what so ever. I have found its operator error and inexperience that destroys them
Click to expand...

maybe i am offended by that flag!!!!!!!!!!!!! take it down!!!!!!!! NOT!!!! :farao:
 
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