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I mocked up my nice shiny ss hooker header sidepipes and low and behold...they fit! .3 raised port, angle plug afr heads. They aren’t supposed to work with angle plugs either. The bolt holes were all drilled properly too. I fully expected to have to drill them out but no. A miracle! Of course the bolts had a number 10 metric head on them but I’ll take that over the other problems. The driver side will likely need some relief around the steering box but will know tomorrow. I did put new body mounts on the car so maybe not?
i also need to weld in the 02 sensor bungs on either side. Every step has at least something extra. I’ll be done in a year or so...
Regarding the angle plug heads I have found you cannt use a normal 6 point spark plug socket. I had one slightly shortened and had one wall cut out so it slips over the plug sideways.
Yeah I have had similar issues with my last set. You just have to get your “special” short socket with a hex nut on the back do you can fit a small crescent or wrench on it in my experience. If I remember correctly the straight plugs on my 383 with Dart Sportsman II heads With straight plugs had more clearance issues than the angle plugs.
Last edited by Corvettedave02; Oct 16, 2020 at 06:28 PM.
I just love Hooker headers. You may pay more but they do fit what they say they will. Their flanges, welds and bolts holes are spot on. I hade absolutely no fitment problems with my Super Comps on raised port, angle plugs heads with plenty of clearance around the steering box and the bolts are all easily accessible too!
I mocked up my nice shiny ss hooker header sidepipes and low and behold...they fit! .3 raised port, angle plug afr heads. They aren’t supposed to work with angle plugs either. The bolt holes were all drilled properly too. I fully expected to have to drill them out but no. A miracle! Of course the bolts had a number 10 metric head on them but I’ll take that over the other problems. The driver side will likely need some relief around the steering box but will know tomorrow. I did put new body mounts on the car so maybe not?
i also need to weld in the 02 sensor bungs on either side. Every step has at least something extra. I’ll be done in a year or so...
Corvettedave
I had the same reaction several years ago when I mocked up my 427 SBC - also angle plug AFR heads, raised ports with Hooker side mount headers - and no clearance issues on the car either (except for the non-stock steering knuckle for my R&P conversion). Link is here if anyone is interested:
I think the warnings about angle plugs and Hookers are from other brand heads - AFR seem to work well. I have been running this setup for about 6 years with no problem reaching plugs.
Last edited by cooper9811; Oct 18, 2020 at 07:00 PM.
I finished the header install today and I. The end had to clearance one tube on each side for the pitman and idler arms. Welded I. The o2 bungs. Twice on one side because I left the steel plug in the SS bung and the threads welded to the bung. Should have known better. Welded a saddle SS bung on that side after I cut out the old one. Has to drill holes out one size after beating on the pipes they didn’t quite line up on one side. In the end they turned out great!
next I’m going to modify my spiral baffles by making an extension with a cap that I can unbolt by reaching inside the side pipes.
With SS headers I would guess you wouldn’t want ceramic coating to keep temps down? So pipe wrap might be used to do that.
After my experience with coated pipes I would have some way to keep that heat down. It’s a huge difference.
Coatings: Are They Worth It? As a part of our test, we wanted to quantify the benefits of a coated header versus a plain uncoated black painted header. A thermal barrier ceramic coating adds considerably to the price of any header, often doubling the price. We tested two otherwise identical Hooker 1⅞-inch headers with surprising results. Running on the dyno, we found the power numbers virtually unchanged (see Average Power table on next page). Where the ceramic coating made a remarkable difference is in the heat transferred by the header. We tested the header temperature immediately after a run, and then one minute after shutdown. The coated headers measured 258 degrees F dropping to 195 degrees F a minute after shutdown. In contrast, the uncoated header measured a scalding 870 degrees, retaining 520 degrees a minute after shutdown. We didn’t need a heat gun to tell the difference in the test cell.
you can find many other such tests and results.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Dec 13, 2020 at 04:58 PM.
I had my headers JetHot coated and it makes a HUGE difference in under hood/cabin temp. I can say 5 to 10 minutes after shutdown I can grab in and it will not burn. Great stuff.
I thought about the coating but I like the SS look. Thought about just coating the engine bay pipes as an option but I need to get this thing running. I can always do it down the road if I want to. I have the cowl cut out up by the windshield so I should have decent heat escape at least.
i do have the SS shields for the side pipes but may not run them. I like the clean look of the bare pipes. I’m used to stepping out wide, lol.
Looks great. But, aren't O2 sensors supposed to be mounted at a 10* or higher angle above (incline) over horizontal to prevent collection of moisture during cold starts? Rust in the sensor might be an issue with the ones in the pics above.
Yes on the o2 sensors but they worked like that before on the steel headers. About 10* down. I don’t want them on the outside of the pipes. I decided to leave the spiral baffles open for now. I need to get this car done.
Polished the old driver side SS pipe and mounted it today. I wet sanded with 2500 then buffed them. Turned out pretty good. I have new, SS heat shields too although I like the bare pipe look the best. Antisieze on the slip joint is a must imo.
Last edited by Corvettedave02; Dec 26, 2020 at 05:29 PM.
Dear Lord ...WOW....I really like ...Please keep us posted .... May I say, however, that there are some that contend that side pipes aren't tuned... May I add this to their confusion?....THIS:
Tuned-length primary tubes for maximum exhaust scavenging and velocity
Mandrel-bent tubing for smooth exhaust flow
Light weight & sturdy 18 gauge tubing
Long transition collector for decreased back pressure
5/16” machined flanges for a perfect seal
Designed for optimal performance
Slip fit side tubes for leak-free seal
All necessary hardware included for a complete installation
Replacement Hooker mufflers available in straight-through or reverse-flow version
Looks great. But, aren't O2 sensors supposed to be mounted at a 10* or higher angle above (incline) over horizontal to prevent collection of moisture during cold starts? Rust in the sensor might be an issue with the ones in the pics above.
You are absolutely correct. Unfortunately real world application sometimes just doesn’t allow that kinda thing. I have a set of O2 bungs welded in the side pipe headers for my brothers big block and they are on a 15 degree downhill to clear the frame. With that said the penalty is more frequent replacement of the O2 sensor. How much more often? Not sure, but browsing the Holley forums guys don’t seem to have prolific issues.
Best practice??? Not a chance but sometimes something is only gonna fit X way if your gonna do it.
You are absolutely correct. Unfortunately real world application sometimes just doesn’t allow that kinda thing. I have a set of O2 bungs welded in the side pipe headers for my brothers big block and they are on a 15 degree downhill to clear the frame. With that said the penalty is more frequent replacement of the O2 sensor. How much more often? Not sure, but browsing the Holley forums guys don’t seem to have prolific issues.
Best practice??? Not a chance but sometimes something is only gonna fit X way if your gonna do it.
That is my perfect luck ---- if it's a toss-up ---- forget it - just give it to them -- if it's the short straw ---hmmmm we only cut one short straw - where did your second short straw come from? If it dices - one will get lost on the toss!!! .....If 1 in 5 bllion who take this medicine will have their hair turn orange and grow rapidly into a frow ----Guess what I look like going back to the doctor?...
that is my perfect luck ---- if it's a toss-up ---- forget it - just give it to them -- if it's the short straw ---hmmmm we only cut one short straw - where did your second short straw come from? If it dices - one will get lost on the toss!!! .....if 1 in 5 bllion who take this medicine will have their hair turn orange and grow rapidly into a frow ----guess what i look like going back to the doctor?...
It’s a hooker header miracle!
