• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Headers

Terry Hauck

Choadicus
Joined
Sep 6, 2017
Messages
335
Reaction score
295
Location
Mojave Desert
I want to put headers on my 69 383 Roadrunner. I'm keeping the 906 heads. Looking at TTI and Doug's. Your input and experiences please.
 

RKNRLR

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
705
Reaction score
653
Location
Sydney, Australia
from what i hear tti's are pricey but quality. I waited a bit longer and opted for some custom headers, 2" diameter x 29" length. Im not running any mufflers, so the super long header length helps to keep he car quiet at low revs, and the lack of muffler helps it scream when you step on it.
 

Basketcase

Keeper of the Green
Joined
Sep 10, 2008
Messages
14,415
Reaction score
299
I just changed out the rusty headers on mine. I went with Flowtechs ceramic (made by Holley)
A lot cheaper than the TTIs. Look good, not a bad install at all. 383 4 speed. Original gear reduction starter. The only things....my heads had the original studs..had to clean out the bolt holes on the flanges with a drill bit. #7 tube needed a couple taps with a hammer to clear the Z bar...nothing drastic. Tube for #4 rubs the inner fender. I have a small leak on #2...shoulda dressed the mounting area to the head. Overall pleased and they sure look a lot better than the old rusty headers. But all in all.....original HP manifolds would work as well, and make life easier.


https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...7310012-P?searchTerm=flowtech+ceramic+headers
 

69hemibeep

Sponge Bob Square Wheels
Joined
Sep 10, 2008
Messages
22,141
Reaction score
2,344
Location
AZ Desert,
I hear good things about TTI and Dougs just do some research or contact them as to what size tube to use. Bigger is not always better when it comes to headers.
 

Terry Hauck

Choadicus
Joined
Sep 6, 2017
Messages
335
Reaction score
295
Location
Mojave Desert
I have heard others say the original HP manifolds work really well. I have them still. Is there a coating that will keep them looking good?
 

69hemibeep

Sponge Bob Square Wheels
Joined
Sep 10, 2008
Messages
22,141
Reaction score
2,344
Location
AZ Desert,
Any powder coat out fit can ceramic coat them. Here is a set I had done, the guy wanted the heat riser left on it.DSCN0945-800x600.JPG
 

Russ69Runner

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Messages
7,696
Reaction score
3,231
Location
Lake Wales Fl.
Yea have to bend a pipe every now and then to make them fit Basketcase. Used some exhaust paint on some pipes and they looked good for a while then started turning tan ceramic paint for header's. So maybe the powder coating is do able. East wood sell's a kit. You can bake them in the oven. :lol:
 

RKNRLR

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
705
Reaction score
653
Location
Sydney, Australia
I hear good things about TTI and Dougs just do some research or contact them as to what size tube to use. Bigger is not always better when it comes to headers.
This is 100% true. The "expert" at the exhaust shop recommended 2 1/8" pipes for the headers, but after careful consultation with my mechanic, and some calcualtions form some formulas i got from a couple of interesting hot rod articles, i went with the 2" pipes.

Those formulas were bang on, predicted peak torque and HP to within 100 rpm. Definitely worth a read.
 

ykf7b0

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
170
Reaction score
51
Location
Tennessee
I installed a set of ceramic coated Patriots on my 440 4 years ago and they perform great and still look wonderful.
 

Dan Kiewicz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
43
Location
Prescott AZ
This is 100% true. The "expert" at the exhaust shop recommended 2 1/8" pipes for the headers, but after careful consultation with my mechanic, and some calcualtions form some formulas i got from a couple of interesting hot rod articles, i went with the 2" pipes.

Those formulas were bang on, predicted peak torque and HP to within 100 rpm. Definitely worth a read.


Do share.... Always looking to learn....
 

RAINMANYEH

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2015
Messages
1,049
Reaction score
956
Location
Birmingham, AL
I took the header that were on her when I bought her down and had them blasted. I used VHT paint 1087E045-DDDB-47CB-86FC-5C3E7BBB9AF6.jpeg on them and it’s holding up well.

88AD2CFC-0B53-48F1-933C-9334F18BF39D.jpeg
 

Dan Kiewicz

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
43
Location
Prescott AZ
couple of articles with some good info

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/header-basics/

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/header-primary-tube-diameter-affects-performance/

There was another with header collector length vs engine size, but it seems to have disappeared from their archive.



Thank you! I love to learn. I've been a motorhead all my life growing up in Detroit. You almost couldn't help it. I learned how to drive in a '69 Roadrunner an older friend, Phil May owned. Captured me at the first turn of the key. He was a bad ass mechanic himself working at Selfridge ANG base on C-130s. Man those were some great times.
 

6PKRTSE

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2018
Messages
262
Reaction score
290
Location
Motor City
I always media blast away the cheap shipping paint applied to the headers. Then repaint with bbq high temp black. Paint out lasts the headers after they rust through from the inside out over the years.
 

RKNRLR

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
705
Reaction score
653
Location
Sydney, Australia
i ended up waiting a little longer, saving a bit more, and having mine made in 409 stainless. I think the ceramic coating does more to protect everything else in the engine bay from the heat than the headers themselves.
 
Back
Top