No hassle headers for 66 dart w/360?

R3dplanet and Novacuda have both said in this thread that they have Doug's D-450 headers and had to make modifications to make them fit. R3dplanet's changes mainly seem to apply to a manual transmission car. I want to add headers to my '65 Barracuda Formula S with the stock 273 and automatic. I will also be adding Kelsey Hayes discs with a power brake booster (exact type to be determined), and power steering (probably a Federal pump and Firm Feel box).

What modifications will I have to make to make these headers fit with the power steering an brakes I mentioned?
Should I get the unfinished headers and then have them finished after they've been test fit? I would hate to have to damage the finish on the ceramic coated ones if I have to modify the headers themselves.

I have the full length Doug's ceramic headers on my 360 and I absolutely HATE them. I've had to clearance them EVERYWHERE. In no way, shape, or form are they hassle free. If I had to do it over again I'd 100% run manifolds, and STILL might if I ditch these headers.

Hey,

Doug's will fit, but be prepared to change some things. My '65 Barracuda has a 360, power steering, power brakes (hydroboost), and a 4-speed OD gearbox. To make it all fit I had to modify the steering column and use a Flaming River steering shaft joint instead of the bulky stock coupler. The stock power steering box was replaced with a Borgeson unit because it's much smaller. I also went with a hydraulic throwout bearing on the gearbox. Along the way I had fiddled with a modified Z-bar, slave-cylinder getup that actuated the clutch fork (Chuck's classic cars), different clutch forks and pivots, all sorts of failed experiments. I even tried the heralded 340 exhaust manifolds. In the end a hydraulic clutch / throwout bearing provides a great deal of simplicity and clearance once it's in place.

So while you might just be thinking exhaust, if you go with headers be prepared to modify many other things. I wish I knew all of this stuff before I installed my headers. But now that it's all in place everything is fine.

You might want to think twice about cutting up your car and re-arranging your suspension just to attach headers. But as you know, it's the curse of a small engine bay.

In retrospect, I wish I would have just stuck with the original 273 and manifolds.