W2 Headers on LA heads

-

Mopar Sam

Well Fed Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
1,889
Reaction score
3,657
Location
Illinois
I need to swap headers on my 67 truck for 2 reasons. 1- my LA headers have pinholes. 2- I want the bigger 1-3/4" tubes

I am going to have to make some adapters to put a set of w2 headers on my LA heads. I have some 1/2" thick aluminum plate to use. The headers I have are a set of Headmans for W2 heads in a truck. They are 1-3/4" tubes. They have never been used.

I have looked at all the pictures I can find, but most are for going to the race "Stahl" pattern.

If anyone has any pics of what they made, please post them.

Here is a picture I found online of the OPPOSITE of what I want to do.

R.jpg
 
I need to swap headers on my 67 truck for 2 reasons. 1- my LA headers have pinholes. 2- I want the bigger 1-3/4" tubes

I am going to have to make some adapters to put a set of w2 headers on my LA heads. I have some 1/2" thick aluminum plate to use. The headers I have are a set of Headmans for W2 heads in a truck. They are 1-3/4" tubes. They have never been used.

I have looked at all the pictures I can find, but most are for going to the race "Stahl" pattern.

If anyone has any pics of what they made, please post them.

Here is a picture I found online of the OPPOSITE of what I want to do.

View attachment 1716400610

You don’t need adapter plates. You have the dual pattern.

Bolt them up and go. That’s what I'm
going to do.
 
I need to swap headers on my 67 truck for 2 reasons. 1- my LA headers have pinholes. 2- I want the bigger 1-3/4" tubes

I am going to have to make some adapters to put a set of w2 headers on my LA heads. I have some 1/2" thick aluminum plate to use. The headers I have are a set of Headmans for W2 heads in a truck. They are 1-3/4" tubes. They have never been used.

I have looked at all the pictures I can find, but most are for going to the race "Stahl" pattern.

If anyone has any pics of what they made, please post them.

Here is a picture I found online of the OPPOSITE of what I want to do.

View attachment 1716400610

You would never want to use aluminum for an adapter plate on an exhaust. That is just asking for trouble.

Not sure how large of a SBM you have, but 1-3/4" pipe is going to take care of 99% of most engines.

I run a 1-7/8" on a 499 RB and honestly that's probably more than I need for that engine that has a roller cam, big heads, and great intake.

Tom
 
You don’t need adapter plates. You have the dual pattern.

Bolt them up and go. That’s what I'm
going to do.


Sorry, those are not my heads, just a pic of the opposite situation. I could not find any pics of putting w2 headers on LA heads, only the other way around.

My heads are the procomps that i moved the pushrod holes for w2 rockers.
 
You would never want to use aluminum for an adapter plate on an exhaust. That is just asking for trouble.

Not sure how large of a SBM you have, but 1-3/4" pipe is going to take care of 99% of most engines.

I run a 1-7/8" on a 499 RB and honestly that's probably more than I need for that engine that has a roller cam, big heads, and great intake.

Tom


Mine is 414" 340 based. I figured that since the heads are aluminum the adapters can be too.
 
Sorry, those are not my heads, just a pic of the opposite situation. I could not find any pics of putting w2 headers on LA heads, only the other way around.

My heads are the procomps that i moved the pushrod holes for w2 rockers.

I forgot about that.
 
You would never want to use aluminum for an adapter plate on an exhaust. That is just asking for trouble.

Not sure how large of a SBM you have, but 1-3/4" pipe is going to take care of 99% of most engines.

I run a 1-7/8" on a 499 RB and honestly that's probably more than I need for that engine that has a roller cam, big heads, and great intake.

Tom

I’ve run nothing but aluminum adapters. I made them all. Using steel is just dumb.
 
I’ve run nothing but aluminum adapters. I made them all. Using steel is just dumb.


I'll be doing it mostly with a die grinder, so yeah, I agree.

If I had to use steel, I'd probably save for a different set of headers. That would probably be the best option, but since I'm using W2 rockers, W2 Strip Dominator, I am going to try these W2 headers.

I guess I'm a W2 wanna be..
 
I'll be doing it mostly with a die grinder, so yeah, I agree.

If I had to use steel, I'd probably save for a different set of headers. That would probably be the best option, but since I'm using W2 rockers, W2 Strip Dominator, I am going to try these W2 headers.

I guess I'm a W2 wanna be..

I made my first set in 1990 because the steel adapters were straight garbage.

In fact, I have some material out in the shop still. And I didn’t kraken them just for Chrysler stuff. I made quite a few for small block Chevy stuff. And all were aluminum.

I can’t think of a reason to do them in steel.

Oh yeah, I made two different sets for my W5 junk. I changed headers so I needed new adapter plates.
 
If you chain drill the inside of the port line with a 3/16 or so drill bit, it won't take very long to form each port with the die grinder. Use the two different gaskets on each side to lay out the port opening. Since you will probably have some angle/taper from one side to the other, keep that in mind so you don't remove material where you need it. The holes should just barely overlap, but too much overlap and the drill bit will likely catch and break. Very efficient and controlled way to cut complex profiles in metal when you don't have a milling machine or more capable tools. Drill press is best, but hand drill will get it done too.
 
When I made my adapter plates to fit W-2 headders on LA head I used flat head socket head cap screws that O turned the O.D. down to .50 or .625 , I don't remember it's been so long ago , but used a countersink that I had was the right dia. and made everything flush . I wish I knew how to post pics on here so I could show it, sorry
 
as mentioned you have dual bolt pattern, LA headers bolt right up. i used LA headers on my 436'' W2, made 652 HP and 590 TQ.
 
Crappy picture but here’s the 436” W2 on the dyno with LA 1-7/8” TTI headers

IMG_3412.png
 
as mentioned you have dual bolt pattern, LA headers bolt right up. i used LA headers on my 436'' W2, made 652 HP and 590 TQ.

I was going to buy Tubular Automotive headers for my W2 junk but after pricing them out I’m just using what I have.
 
I was going to buy Tubular Automotive headers for my W2 junk but after pricing them out I’m just using what I have.
they are expensive. Up here in Canada, the price is triple with the exchange rate and the brutal shipping costs to get parts up here.

Makes this hobby really difficult at times.
 
they are expensive. Up here in Canada, the price is triple with the exchange rate and the brutal shipping costs to get parts up here.

Makes this hobby really difficult at times.
Yeah I could see that! But I would think it would also make it that much more special when you get it how you want it.
 
Yeah I could see that! But I would think it would also make it that much more special when you get it how you want it.
Basically have to live and breathe it to justify it.

Can I really complain……. Heck no I can’t. It’s 100% self inflicted.
 
I have the early 810 castings with the stands milled off and only one exhaust pattern and it's wide . I made the adapters for the LA head so I could use the W-2 headders on the LA head also. worked out well
 
You can always try and contact Tubular Automotive and see if they will sell you a set of adapter plates or make/have a set made.
 
Just curious if 1/2" more exhaust port( thickness of adapter plate) changes output of engine in any way.
Has anyone done dyno runs with & without thick spacers, and or various thicknesses to vary the results?
 
-
Back
Top