New Small Block Headers

Wow this is an interesting thread to say the least. Unfortunately, I’d like to somewhat revive it because I’m having some issues myself. Not meaning to threadjack here, but this whole thread has been all over the place, so I’d like to see if I could get any insight. With that in mind, I have a 73 dart sport, with a 1971 360. It’s a hoopty I pulled from a junkyard for dirt cheap and just want to make it a good sounding cruiser.

I was looking for a “cheap” pair of headers, and another FABO member had a set of hedman headers(I can get pics later) for very cheap. So I bought them. I’m not in search of power gains or really anything like that. Just some headers that will look good and sound good with minimal instillation hastle.

I have power steering, and the Interesting thing is that online, the headers I have, are claimed to fit with power steering. They may need some custom touches but they should in theory fit. Another “off the shelf cheap header” I found, is identical in configuration to mine, but online it states they will not work with power steering. So unless they actually are two differently made “cheap headers”, I’m unsure why different brands claim different things.

On another note, I will try to install them tomorrow. The pitman arm is disconnected, and I have the old gigantic starter out. ( going to install mini starter). Also have the brake booster and master cylinder out for extra room. I am hoping they can fit like they claim online. With the car at least a foot off the ground, and possibly jacking one side of the motor up, maybe they will work.

I love power brakes and power steering, but wow it gets cramped in the bay.

Any ideas for what I should do if they don’t fit? Would rather not use factory manifolds, and don’t want to hack the inner fender.

Thanks.
There’s nothing a BFH (Big Freakin Hammer) can’t fix.
Dent the header if need be to make room.
I used Hedman & Summit headers without any clearance issues.
A set of Hookers needed a minor dent. (No longer in biz?) Blackjack headers were the worst. A real horrible experience.

If the headers are the “Cheap” ones that have 3 out of 4 tubes going under the steering linkage on the drivers side, they’re the worst to install. Best have the car up as high as possible and what you said, is not enough.

FWIW, Summit Racing & Jegs have their own branded names exhaust (made by Heartthrob) for the A body cars and it fits nicely. I’ve used them both. They can, if you want, include mufflers that are capable of 400+ HP handling.

The instructions saying designed to fit Hooker headers but they will fit other brands easy. Minor trimming of the pipes length is needed for a great fit. A chop saw is a great tool for this. Even without the chop saw, there fit is pretty good.