Blockhugger headers

You can get the Dougs from Summit, ceramic coated, for $672.

Doug's Headers D453

Autozone sometimes has them, as well as a 20% internet discount that can be used. But check to make sure they’re in stock.

As for the TTI shorties, I have fitted them to my Duster as well as the Doug’s. The Dougs fit just as well. The Dougs took a couple small dimples to clear my 1.12” torsion bars, but the TTI’s head tubes had issues clearing my 340 bellhousing and my shorty oil filter with a Canton oil sandwich plate. I liked the Dougs better and that’s what’s on my car now.

As for the manifolds, no reason a 318 can’t benefit from headers. I have ran into cracked manifolds, warped manifolds that wouldn’t seal to the head, and just as many leaky seals as headers. The manifolds are easier to install for sure, but 50 year old manifolds have plenty of issues that a new set of headers usually don’t.