[M.Sides]

Who makes a good round port header with
1 3/4 or 1 7/8 tubes to fit a 68 Lemans without a lot of 'custom' work. I know most headers don't fit these years very well and I've always run D-port heads until now. Spent a lot of $ and effort on the motor so far and I don't want to flush $300 on some headers that won't fit.

[M.Sides]

Who makes a good round port header with
1 3/4 or 1 7/8 tubes to fit a 68 Lemans without a lot of 'custom' work. I know most headers don't fit these years very well and I've always run D-port heads until now. Spent a lot of $ and effort on the motor so far and I don't want to flush $300 on some headers that won't fit.

[Gach]

Hooker makes a real good fitting round port header that will also fit the E-Heads, for 68-70 tempest and GTO'S, and the fit real well. My brother had them on his 69 GTO, and the went in pretty easy. Good header, they also make them coated. I think Jeg's or Summit sells them in their catolog, if not just ask.

[This message has been edited by Gach (edited 05-20-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Gach (edited 05-20-2000).]

[M.Sides]

Hey Gach, which one, comp or super comp?

[Skip Fix]

I thought the Hooker's were 2". I think Hedman makes some various diameters.

[Gach]

The super comp ones I think come with no collector flanges, so get the comp ones

[Brinson Pachar]

The only Hooker header I know of is a 2"x 31/2" header. I ordered a set of coated headers 4201-1 and returned them due to poor coating and fabrication. I ordered a set of uncoated Headmans 13/4" x 3" and was pleased with the quality. Their part # is 35130. Hope this helps.

[WARPed]

I have bought five sets of round port headers, three sets were Hooker and two sets of Headman .My first set were Hooker 2" 68-72 A body back in 1977 and there were well made but did not fit well. I then got a set of Headman 1 7/8" for a 67-69 F body in 1984 and another set for 68-72 A body 2" in 1989, both were the best quality in both fit and finish. The last two sets of Hooker 2" headers were bought in 1998, they were for 68-72 A body and 70-81 F body, both were poorly made. If (when?) I get my next set I will be looking at Headman again in hopes of getting the same quality I had in the past.

------------------
10.854@123.44
6.947@100.65
brooksa@gte.net

[M.Sides]

Thanks for the advice guys. After more research, I found on hedman's web page that their part # 35130 will not fit cars with power steering. My car has power steering and I'd like to keep it if possible. Is there a minor modification that can be made so that these headers fit with power steering or is it strictly a "no-go"

[Skip Fix]

For my round port 78 TA have three differnet sets. Hooker Super Comps well made(could use a bigger bolt dimple on ports 5 and 6) 2" and 3 1/2 collector.These were made in Mexico too.
They were too big for a 400 and it picked up 0.2 going to Hedman 1 3/4 " 3". These headers were VERY poorly made. Wouldn't even fit the car ,back tubes hit the firewall both sides and collectors went off at angle not straight back. Flanges were 1/4-1/2" off from end to end on touching the head! Sent back to Hedman and they said my engine must be set back!The headers weren't the problem. Really wanted 1 3/4 tubes so we cut off 2 tubes each side and cut and welded mandrel bent pipe to fit.Separated the front tube so it could pull down to head easier too. They now can slide in with out jacking up motor and you can get to all the bolts easily. All welds were OK but MIG welds.

1 7/8 Hedmans 3 1/2 collectors. Good fit on heads TIG welded. Passenger side collector went off at an angle and hit transmission!! At least Hedman fixed that. A friend's TA with 1 7/8 D port header have a slight angle on that collector too. Don't know why Hedman can't point their collectors straight back?

Unfortunately Hedman is the only one to get the smaller tube headers from unless you go to a custom set. A friend got a set of Dawson headers for his round port 64 Lemans/Tempest and they fit perfect but were $750.

[Skip Fix]

Also don't try an look up Hooker.com it sure isn't about headers!!

[digger1978]

I would go with Hedman over Hooker. I have a pair of Comp with 2" x 3 1/2" They leak in 3 different spots and one bolt hole did not fit that well on the head. I found this all out after I had mine ceramic coated. I had to do some welding on mine to make the flanges seal beter. I wouldn't recommend these unless the car is race car with a large motor. Mine has Procharger so it works fine. Go with Hedman anyday.

[Jerry Whitt]

Not sure what they changed about the Hedman #35130, but when I purchased them about 3 years ago they fit great without having to make a single ding in them. This is a 70 GTO E-headed stroker with power steering, AC, and auto tranny. When talking to the Hedman rep he stated they would fit everything except a 4-speed. Contrary to the Hooker rep, who said the Super Comps would work with the AC but after trial fitting two sets they kept hitting the firewall/AC box and were crafted rather poorly. Just as well because the 1 3/4" tubes probably work better with my combo than the 2".
Jerry W.

[Nickv]

I purchased a set of Hedman Hustlers for my 72 Lemans with E-heads. They fit nice, no leakage, quality finish to them. The only thing I had to move a little was the brake proportioning valve because it was up against one of the tubes.