Header replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 375
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From: LaSalle ON
Header replacement
I am replacing a set of Hedman 1 5/8" long tube headers with a set of Hooker Super Comp 1 3/4" long tube headers. Both sets were 'supposed' to fit a '77 Corvette. The Hookers are about 2 1/2" longer measured from the forward-most bolt hole to the end of the collector and don't come anywhere near close to fitting. Can anyone give me a 'standard' measurement that I can check both sets of headers against so I can see which set is the wrong size? the exhaust was fabbed to work with the Hedman's so it may have been 'adjusted'.
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
They will never bolt up to the existing pipes. You will have to make a new front pipe. I went from Hookers 1 5/8 to Hookers 1 3/4 and had to make a new pipe. What does not fit. Do they just not install on the motor or not fit to the existing pipes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: LaSalle ON
They bolted to the motor just fine when it was on the stand. 
When I try to install them, they butt against the exhaust flange when with the bolt holes on the header well ahead of the bolt holes on the cylinder head. I unbolted the exhaust and reefed it back as far as it would go, but there is still a > 1" mismatch. The guy that built my exhaust built it in one piece 
so I can't even take it apart without a torch or sawzall. When I get it rebuilt, I'm having a set of flanges put in where the front & back halves attach.
Thanks for the quick response.
When I try to install them, they butt against the exhaust flange when with the bolt holes on the header well ahead of the bolt holes on the cylinder head. I unbolted the exhaust and reefed it back as far as it would go, but there is still a > 1" mismatch. The guy that built my exhaust built it in one piece so I can't even take it apart without a torch or sawzall. When I get it rebuilt, I'm having a set of flanges put in where the front & back halves attach.Thanks for the quick response.
Last edited by vettenoir; Nov 14, 2009 at 05:25 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I made sure when they built my exhaust it would come apart. I'm glad I did I have had it off every winter and it comes off very easily. Your going to have to cut it sometime and then have the flanges welded in.
