Headers and angle plug heads
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
Headers and angle plug heads
Hi all,
I have just finished a build of a 383 stroker, i worked on advise that edelbrock angle plug heads were the better option for my applocation.
Now im trying to source side mount headers, having looked over the Holley site, sending numerous tech request forms and getting no responces i called them from the UK (not a cheap option) it took over 11 attempts to get through to someone in marketing in the end as the tech line was ringing without answering.
Basically i wanted to know why the hookers wouldnt fit angled plugs (if it was a just'er and would fit with some minor adjustments) but for my troubles, time and expense the only responce i got was "we're not sure, due to the size of the tubing, they are tight on staight plugs" which is not really an answer.
So question to you guys is, has anyone fitted them? if so how much work did you have to do to make them fit? besides having some headers fab'ed what other suppliers could i try? any reccommendations?
TIA
Wev
I have just finished a build of a 383 stroker, i worked on advise that edelbrock angle plug heads were the better option for my applocation.
Now im trying to source side mount headers, having looked over the Holley site, sending numerous tech request forms and getting no responces i called them from the UK (not a cheap option) it took over 11 attempts to get through to someone in marketing in the end as the tech line was ringing without answering.
Basically i wanted to know why the hookers wouldnt fit angled plugs (if it was a just'er and would fit with some minor adjustments) but for my troubles, time and expense the only responce i got was "we're not sure, due to the size of the tubing, they are tight on staight plugs" which is not really an answer.
So question to you guys is, has anyone fitted them? if so how much work did you have to do to make them fit? besides having some headers fab'ed what other suppliers could i try? any reccommendations?
TIA
Wev
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
The typical issues with angle plug heads and off the shelf headers is getting access to the plugs when the pipes are fitted
or possibly the spark plug leads or plug covers foul against the pipes.
This causes premature failure of the leads due to the excessive heat.
I had issues with my previous headers when fitted to my new 383 with the straight plug Edelbrock E-tec 200 heads, as the exhaust ports were slightly higher. Leads would fry and cause erratic firing. I tried heat shielded boots for the plug caps, but they only delayed the inevitable.
Ended up getting some custom pipes made.
Costly
, but no issues now.
Easy access to plugs and no heat related issues.
cheers
or possibly the spark plug leads or plug covers foul against the pipes.
This causes premature failure of the leads due to the excessive heat.
I had issues with my previous headers when fitted to my new 383 with the straight plug Edelbrock E-tec 200 heads, as the exhaust ports were slightly higher. Leads would fry and cause erratic firing. I tried heat shielded boots for the plug caps, but they only delayed the inevitable.
Ended up getting some custom pipes made.
Costly
, but no issues now.Easy access to plugs and no heat related issues.
cheers
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Long Jetty NSW
Here's another reply from "down under". Guess we're reading your Posts while you're sleeping.
I have found it easier to access angle plugs than straight plugs. On one bank I can access 3 plugs with a long 5/8 socket and use a ring spanner on the other plug. On the other bank, 2 with socket and 2 with ring. No problems with the plug leads either, just move them away from the pipes a little. Don't know what brand the headers are, but they look like "off the shelf" items
I have found it easier to access angle plugs than straight plugs. On one bank I can access 3 plugs with a long 5/8 socket and use a ring spanner on the other plug. On the other bank, 2 with socket and 2 with ring. No problems with the plug leads either, just move them away from the pipes a little. Don't know what brand the headers are, but they look like "off the shelf" items
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Is it only me who thinks the smaller 5/8's hex size of the plugs used in angle plug applications would be easier to access than the straight plugs using the 13/16 hex?
I have Hooker sidemounts and not a big deal to wrench the straight plugs, though I do get easier access to the #7 & #8 cyl from under the motor with an offset, long handled, box-end wrench. Unless another header mfgr uses a really thin-wall or extra tall primary pipe flange to obscure tool access, I can't see why not? Other opinions?
As an aside: use a small dab of anti-seize on the plugs threads to help avoid busted knuckle syndrome.
I have Hooker sidemounts and not a big deal to wrench the straight plugs, though I do get easier access to the #7 & #8 cyl from under the motor with an offset, long handled, box-end wrench. Unless another header mfgr uses a really thin-wall or extra tall primary pipe flange to obscure tool access, I can't see why not? Other opinions?
As an aside: use a small dab of anti-seize on the plugs threads to help avoid busted knuckle syndrome.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
Thanks for the replies, mooneyd, i looked at your pic album but couldnt really see much of the head/header/plug relationship, do you have any close up pics pls?
I would be interested to see how similar the heads are and how much clearance you have, on the summit and jegs site the description for the hooker headers says "not for angled plugs" i guess yours are hooker and the same warning was there (but you made it work/it worked) ?
I appreciate some vendors will put warnings on products to cover their backs, if its just a matter of being a ball ache getting the plugs out im not that worried, the vette will be a low mileage summer car (after all this work and the UK weather it wont get to do alt of miles
).
Any other comments welcome...... (iys a shame when you rely on forum guys/enthusiasts to supply info on a big players products
)
I would be interested to see how similar the heads are and how much clearance you have, on the summit and jegs site the description for the hooker headers says "not for angled plugs" i guess yours are hooker and the same warning was there (but you made it work/it worked) ?
I appreciate some vendors will put warnings on products to cover their backs, if its just a matter of being a ball ache getting the plugs out im not that worried, the vette will be a low mileage summer car (after all this work and the UK weather it wont get to do alt of miles
).Any other comments welcome...... (iys a shame when you rely on forum guys/enthusiasts to supply info on a big players products
)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
Hi all,
I have just finished a build of a 383 stroker, i worked on advise that edelbrock angle plug heads were the better option for my applocation.
Now im trying to source side mount headers, having looked over the Holley site, sending numerous tech request forms and getting no responces i called them from the UK (not a cheap option) it took over 11 attempts to get through to someone in marketing in the end as the tech line was ringing without answering.
Basically i wanted to know why the hookers wouldnt fit angled plugs (if it was a just'er and would fit with some minor adjustments) but for my troubles, time and expense the only responce i got was "we're not sure, due to the size of the tubing, they are tight on staight plugs" which is not really an answer.
So question to you guys is, has anyone fitted them? if so how much work did you have to do to make them fit? besides having some headers fab'ed what other suppliers could i try? any reccommendations?
TIA
Wev
I have just finished a build of a 383 stroker, i worked on advise that edelbrock angle plug heads were the better option for my applocation.
Now im trying to source side mount headers, having looked over the Holley site, sending numerous tech request forms and getting no responces i called them from the UK (not a cheap option) it took over 11 attempts to get through to someone in marketing in the end as the tech line was ringing without answering.
Basically i wanted to know why the hookers wouldnt fit angled plugs (if it was a just'er and would fit with some minor adjustments) but for my troubles, time and expense the only responce i got was "we're not sure, due to the size of the tubing, they are tight on staight plugs" which is not really an answer.
So question to you guys is, has anyone fitted them? if so how much work did you have to do to make them fit? besides having some headers fab'ed what other suppliers could i try? any reccommendations?
TIA
Wev
My info from Hooker (I checked with them and AFR before buying mine) stated that Hookers weren't a fit for EDELBROCK heads specifically because they used a different angle than the standard L-98 plug angle. It is also different than the "bow tie" angle used by some heads. Their angle was unique, causing probable interference. This was a few years ago, and things change so maybe this has been rectified.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 24
From: Coastal Georgia
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I have Hooker sidemounts bolted up to GMPP Fast Burn aluminum heads with angled plugs, and I don't have any issues with getting to spark plugs at all, other than maybe having to use a 5/8 wrench on a couple instead of a socket.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,654
Likes: 190
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
They fit on my Eldebrock Vic Jr heads with .300" raised exhaust and angle plug heads. If you look at the sidemount headers the primary pipes move straight away from the head and over the spark plugs with good clearance. Had them test fitted once but never went with side pipes.
The same can't be said for the under car Super Comps I have where the pipes get twisted and go in every different angle to make them all the same length, they interfere with the plugs, I had to have one primary tube lengthened to clear a plug
The same can't be said for the under car Super Comps I have where the pipes get twisted and go in every different angle to make them all the same length, they interfere with the plugs, I had to have one primary tube lengthened to clear a plug
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
I have hooker headers,supercomp and they DO NOT fit,you have to have # 8 tube cut and extended out farther so you can get plug in and out.I even had the shorter spark plugs and they didnot work either.I wrote about this months ago,warning people out there to stay away from edelbrock heads because they reangled the sparkplugs for performance and thats what the problem is.I have victor jr heads with short plugs.No body doesnt make headers to fit our cars and fit edelbrock heads,that is if you want bigger tubes .
Safety Car
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From: Paducah KY
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