newbie here and searched pages for the answer only to not find. anyway i have a 72 4x4 blazer and am putting headers on it. i keep hearing that the downtubes wont clear due to the z bar. i bought a set of cheapy summits and nothing is mentioned about the zbar in summits instructions(which i believe are blackjack headers by dynomas). summit part # is sum-g9oo6. i cant seem to find the correct answer of if they will fit without physically trying the swap. i am reluctant to do this because i dont wanna bung up the new headers if i have to send back. any thoughts or part numbers for correct fit headers for a manual trans 4x4 1972 blazer?

also heard i could use a 79 and later z bar to make work has anybody heard of this. if so do i replace the clutch rods fromt the pedal and to the throwout yoke. thanks

btw my zbar is located pretty much directly below #7 exhaust port.

When I ordered my headers from Summit, I ordered the Hedmans. Then again, mine is an automatic and I had no fitment issues. Have you thought about block hugger headers????

i have hedman part number 69110 or 691110, cant remember in my 71 K5 with a big block and a 4 speed. so i know it can be done.

I believe that I used flow techs on my blazer, and it cleared the bar.

I used a set of headers for a 78 Chev 2 wheels drive 3/4ton, 454/TH400 equipped truck on my 80 GMC 3/4ton when I swapped the 454 into the 80 and its 4 speed equipped and I didn't have any problems other than having to take out the bolt that bolts the rear spring shackle on the driver side front spring around and put it through the other way....

Those summit headers will not fit around the factory Z bar. I tired those on mine. NO, you can't use the 73+ Z bar on your truck. The later Z bar connects to the frame and bellhousing, while the 72- trucks mount to the frame and block. The Gen I trucks don't even have the threaded hole in the bellhousing for a Z bar pivot ball. If you were going to go through all that trouble you could:
A. swap to a full hydrolic clutch setup since you're going to chage the bell anyway, then clearance in not an issue and your clutch works better.
B. use a set of center dump headers and grind you cross member a bit.

Those summit headers will not fit around the factory Z bar. I tired those on mine.




nkldrgr what headers did you end up using? not wanting to reinvent the wheel going hydro setup and certianly dont want dumps. LOL

nathan i will check out both numbers you gave me. can you please check something for me. is you #7 exhaust port below or close to being below the zbar or is your located on the back of the block like all chevy cars. both my lemans and camaro have the zbar studs located on the very back of the block close to were the bell flush mounts with the block.

thanks all for posting.

I like the ram's horn exhaust manifolds. They fit perfectly on my '72 Blazer, cheap, easy to find, lots of room, no leaks, and they look good too.

I used these:
HED68308
and
HED68500 (summit makes a set just like these, but cheaper) and these are the ones that need minor griding on the crossmember.

I used these:
HED68308
and
HED68500 (summit makes a set just like these, but cheaper) and these are the ones that need minor griding on the crossmember.

very intresting with the vette headers. i will look into that. i talked to hedman today and they listed the number below and promise no fitment issues what soever. on hedmans note list is says the following.

HED-69092

47 - Some vehicles may encounter clutch shaft interference when cross shaft location is located under or behind the driver side rear exhaust port. Use HED-69092 without A.I.R. Use HED-69093 with A.I.R. Order Elite HED-69892.


thanks for everybodies help. tommy

I don't know what brand of headers I have (got them for free:flipoff2: ) and I only installed them cause I broke one of my ramhorns when removing the head.

They installed and worked fine, but what I had to do was remove the Z-bar, install the header, reinstall the Z-bar and bend the lower arm toward the block to clear the header. It works, its hokey but it works.

Go with the ram horn manifolds of buy a good set of headers. The cheep ones just leak and piss you off. I cant remember the magazine but they did a studdy years ago about the flow rate of the ram horns and they actually out flowed a lot of headers on the market. Just my .02