i am finishing up the 350 swap into my 84 cj7 and after running a search of preious threads discussing it was wondering what the current general consensus is regarding the best header for this swap. what are some of the opinions that you guys have about what works best?

i'm a manifold fan, but I'll start off by saying I have no first hand experience with chevy v8's and headers

On my amc 360 I had hedman inside the frame headers, and they sucked. anywhere a leak was possible one existed. tried the expensive gaskets and bolts too, nothing worked. slapped on a pair of stock 304 manifolds and no more leaks and no more smelling like I just got done mowing the lawn. I seem to have also picked up some power doing it. I think headers are overkill for a stock 350 unless your putting a blower on it.

I like my Sanderson Headers. No matter what headers you get, the thing to look for is a thick flange and relatively thick tubes.

The Sandersons use a 3/8 inch flange and they accomplish the seal using a built-up weld around the port and bolt holes that is then milled perfectly flat--no gasket needed, just some ultra-black. They're pretty expensive though...

However, most manufacturers' headers use a gasket. If you get headers that require gaskets, use COPPER ones. Anything else will eventually leak.

Also, use a copper gasket at the connection between the collector end of the header and the rest of the exhaust, and tighten everything at least three times. (i.e. bolt on, run the engine a while, tighten, drive for a day, tighten, drive for a week tighten.)

Most of the bad rep that headers get is due to cheap headers and poor installation. If you have thick flanges, use copper gaskets and re-tighten them a few times after they're installed, they'll seal up fine. Mine don't leak a bit.

HTH,
Jake

I had hedmans on my cj sbc setup and they sucked ! They kept burning the # 5 plug wire every 100 miles or so .I tried airgap shields , boots , racing sleeves and header wrap .None of it would work .The header is too close to the plug ,its a poor design . I called hedman and they said I should expect some problems as this was a performance item! So me and a buddy went Header shopping .We oredered in 10 different sets from old chevys .The one I ended up picking works sweet .You have to move the proportioning valve though if you have the motor offset to the drivers side .I can get them for around 150.00 or so .They are good headers though . Email me at jeeparts@hotmail.com

Originally posted by jeeppartz
I had hedmans on my cj sbc setup and they sucked ! They kept burning the # 5 plug wire every 100 miles or so .I tried airgap shields , boots , racing sleeves and header wrap .None of it would work .The header is too close to the plug ,its a poor design . I called hedman and they said I should expect some problems as this was a performance item! So me and a buddy went Header shopping .We oredered in 10 different sets from old chevys .The one I ended up picking works sweet .You have to move the proportioning valve though if you have the motor offset to the drivers side .I can get them for around 150.00 or so .They are good headers though . Email me at jeeparts@hotmail.com

What manufacturer? What vehicle was this in? Straight or angled plugs?