[74redgto]

Ok, the really cheaply priced headers I bought to fill in until spring are Blackjack's. About 1/5th of the paint is already off them, from just lifting them out of the box. Flange doesn't seem finished very well, but the gasket seems to look very good on it. Has anyone had experience with fit, looks like no problem will be had with the power steering, unlike the old headers I had to bang to clear. I am going to wait until my POR-15 gets here to install them, will clear the rest of the paint off and them spread the Brilliant Silver POR on them. They look like they should fit tight to the chassis, helping in ground clearance. Any thoughts, comments, I told you not to do that??

[74redgto]

Ok, the really cheaply priced headers I bought to fill in until spring are Blackjack's. About 1/5th of the paint is already off them, from just lifting them out of the box. Flange doesn't seem finished very well, but the gasket seems to look very good on it. Has anyone had experience with fit, looks like no problem will be had with the power steering, unlike the old headers I had to bang to clear. I am going to wait until my POR-15 gets here to install them, will clear the rest of the paint off and them spread the Brilliant Silver POR on them. They look like they should fit tight to the chassis, helping in ground clearance. Any thoughts, comments, I told you not to do that??

[RPOST]

I bought those same header from Spott's. They did come a little scrathed up but for 69.00 you can't go wrong. Mine have all the paint burned off now anyway. I like dealing with someone that I can trust. Spott's is an excellent place to buy parts. Rick

[74redgto]

I have had the headers sandblasted and have given them a coat of the POR-20 Brilliant Silver coating. Going to give them a second coat and then hopefully install them in a couple of days along with the rest of the front suspension parts.
Then will probably watch that stuff come off as well.

[rickschabener]

I had the Cyclone Blackjack headers on my 68 Firebird for 14 years. I could never get them to seal against the heads. They would start to leak after just a few times out and gradually get worse. Had to change gaskets at least once a year. Everytime I drove the car I smelled like exhaust. Installed Hooker super comps 3 months ago. They fit well and, no leaks. As far as I'm concerned, like the TV commercials said, "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later."

[74redgto]

I do not know yet about how well they will seal, BUT, Talk about easy installation...I had to remove the starter, no problem..Grabbed an empty box to rest the starter on so I didn't hurt any wires. Slid the drivers side headers up and in. Bolts were easier to get to and total of 30 min. for the drivers side removal and installation. Will do the passenger side after I put the control arms back on. I know it will be a piece of cake. Will then see about how well they seal.

[wildman131]

I had problems with exhaust leaks with my '74 GTO headers as well with the standard paper gaskets.They would burn out within a few weeks. I put in the copper seals from MR.GASKET and haven't had any problems since. I sell parts for a living and have seen a lot of people keep replacing paper with paper, even have seen one guy that used PERCY's aluminum ones that blew out on a Pontiac. Best thing I know of is the copper because it can be reused if you need to take the headers off for some reason or other. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[rice-fighter]

74redGTO how did they work out for you?

[74redgto]

I regret the purchase, I bought them for a cheap temporary solution, but I am not happy with the drivers side design, tubes really sit low. They weren't a problem installing though. I would consider a different option. Just my opinion.

[Rob B]

Spend the extra money, buy the hooker super comps for the ventura application, and in about 45 minutes you can have them installed and be on your way, no dents, dinging, bending, bfh's, nothing. Best damn header for an x-body, d-port period.
Now put on a set of e-heads and try to get a set of the hedman race headers from a 68-69 firebird, thats suppose to fit the venturas also, to fit the same as the hookers, is a whole nother story

[wildman131]

I agree with Rob B - hooker super comps are the only way to go with the '74 Ventura body GTO. They fit perfectly with power steering and 4 on the floor. I first tried to go the cheap way by going with Flo-tech headers but the center primary tubes both were going to need tweaking-(1 for the p/s gearbox and the other for the clutch z-bar). I still had problems blowing header gaskets so I got the coppers - the only ones that will hold up for me and as far as I can tell this is a pure factory engine that has not been torn into yet for it to have any extra reason to blow out these gaskets.

[Goatguy]

Are the hooker super comps 4 or 3 pipe? Any comments on 4 or 3 pipes?

[Bud Lyons]

4 pipe. Don't waste your money on 3 pipe headers.



My Rig's a little old, but that don't mean she's slow.