Headers to suit 68 GTO 400 with Edelbrock 60599 heads.
 

My apologies if this has been previously posted and answered but I was after a bit of assistance in selecting headers.

I'm rebuilding the 400 in my 68 GTO and I've used Edelbrock 60599 heads. My understanding is that they are round port & patterned of 69-70 Ram Air 4 heads.

Does any one know if there is an off the shelf header that will fit the heads and the 68 engine bay?

Not a lot of info in Oz.....or at least not in my part of Oz.

I've used 1 suppliers tech services and I'm not sure I got the correct info back.

Cheers in advance.
Hoggy

Butler Performance carries Dougs Round Port headers for 67-69 FB at $789 ceramic coated or $619 bare. Summit may also carry them, don't know which would be easier to use for you.

http://butlerperformance.com/i-24453...tegory:1234810

Doug's are good, except get them for a GTO.

Ditto on the Doug's.

I have used Hooker with good results, but they are a little more expensive to use. Fit is good. Go with the 2" ones so the car will breath.

Thankyou very much for the advice gentlemen, I'll follow your leads and let you know how I go.

If you have an engine with less than @550hp, you may consider using the RARE exhaust manifolds. It will look factory, they fit perfect, don't leak as easy, and you can keep your locking rod assembly, for one.

http://www.ramairrestoration.com/rm-...oversized.html

Read the instructions with the Doug's headers if that's the route you choose to go. I think they comment on the lock rod and other mods that might be required.

I've seen where the Doug's also make contact with the passenger side lower control arm mount, can search it here, it kind of depends, happens to some, not others.

If the car is lowered, I wouldn't recommend the Hookers or the Hedmans, they both hang low on the passenger side. And if they cost more than Doug's, it's pointless to buy them, cost would be the only reason to buy anything other than Doug's.

Doug's fit the best, but they still aren't perfect.

.

Doug's D567 Header installation notes:

https://shop.dougsheaders.com/doug-s...c-coating.html


Probably have to move the brake distribution block too. Some oil pans/starters may not work. No-go on column shift cars. Remember the column lock rod also controls the reverse lights.

.

Agree that 1 7/8 tubes should be plenty big.

I have the 1 7/8" Doug's on my racecar. It is a 505 that has run in the 9's. You would probably be OK with 1 3/4", but the Doug's are still a good choice.

I have also had good luck with Maddog headers, have them on my race car.

The round ports only come in 1 7/8 and 2". But after looking at the 2", it appears they don't have the same restrictions on installation as the 1 7/8" versions do. Looks like the lock rod can be retained. Now I wonder which the OBX headers are modeled after.

https://shop.dougsheaders.com/doug-s...c-coating.html

.

Really appreciate all the thoughts guys.

I have 1" unders in the front and it sits pretty low. The comment regarding header hanging pretty low on the passenger side worries me a little.

I thought I was settled on Hooker but I'll put a call in to a local fellow on Monday r.e customs.

If I buy shelf items its a bit of a risk for me if they don't fit because there is no stock in Oz so everything I buy is imported. Too pricy to return, and the process would be too lengthy if they don't work.

I'm thinking dropping the car off at the shop for customs might be safer.

Any thoughts?

Customs are not cheap, but if you can afford them, they are probably the best, depending on the shop of course.

Considering the information I recently realized that the 2" version allows for the backdrive linkage/shift rod, I think the D522 Doug's are a fine choice.

Looks like Jegs has about the best price at $760, plus free shipping. Sure that's only in the states, but it would at least be free to a shipping service, if that's what you plan on using.

As I mentioned before, depending on your build, the high flow manifolds from RARE are a good choice, they are almost half the price of headers (@$440), flow almost as good as headers, and bet the shipping is less too.

On a 498ci stroker, SD Performance dyno'd with both the RARE manifolds and a set of headers, and there was only a 8hp difference.

http://www.sdperformance.com/moreTech.php?newsID=39

.

My second Gen F body 2" Hookers allow the column lock rod to fit. Not sure how their A body ones are.

On a buddies 462 640HP motor going in his 63 tempest he used some 2" hookers he modified to fit and we lost 40 HP when we tried my 1 3/4- 1 7/8 Step Hedmans on it. It liked the bigger headers.

That's what I was pointing out, after looking at the installation notes on Doug's website, the 1 7/8" headers, D567, require the lock rod removal, the D522 ones don't. I found that interesting, and haven't notice that before.

.

Ok, got the estimate from the local fabricator........$3k AUD. Needless to say I required a little sit down.
I think this price puts me back into the gambling space on a shelf product.
From the feedback I've received from you guys I've dropped a note into Doug's for my own piece of mind before I finalise anything.

Thinking about it might also try & get a depth detail of Doug's to compare to the depth of the D port Hedmans I just took off. Might not be worth it, see how I go.

Any way if the response if right from Doug's might take the gamble on them.

HWYSTR455 thanks for the heads up on the install detail on the Doug's, greatly appreciated.

I'll let you all know how I go.

Worse case off the shelf you can tweak a couple of tubes vs buildiong a whole new set of headers.

My 1 3/4 Hedmans I wanted for the size on my TA hit the firewall both sides! We made two new tubes(paper towel tubes are great fro mock up:)!) and made it clear the lock rod also. And you can get to all bolts. Not real pretty welds but my RAIV 400 liked them!

Was thinking the same thing.......couple of hundred on a tweak & I'm sorted & still in front.
Haven't heard back from Doug's yet.

You need to talk to someone who has put a round port header in a '68 to get all the details. Someone on here has, you just need to find them.