I started installing Hedmans in my 327 4 speed today. Passenger side is easy. Drivers side was a little more challenging. I had to lift the engine up out of the mounts to get it into place. I'll add a little more to this when I finish the job. Probably be working on it tomorrow. I went for the hedman elete coated.
I installed a set of Patriot (8047) full length headers on my 66 with a 350 and TH350. Passenger side dropped right in from the top and bolted up with no interference. Driver side required some denting and a little trimming on the front suspension. The engine was on the hoist at the time so I can't attest to install issues with the drivers side but looks like it would drop out the bottom with the car raised.
Had one issue. Perforated pipe on #1 right at the flange. PITA to find. Happy aside from that.
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72 Nova SS, 66 Beaumont Sport Deluxe, 09 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
Hey Larry
Well , I installed three sets, two Hedmans Ceramic coated and one other brand which I will not mention because it is only my opinion, and three sets does not make me an authority and I don't want to disrespect any brand. However, the biggest issue that I will comment on is the thickness of the bolting flange, I feel and have heard from others that this is very important, try to buy a set with a 3/8" thick flange. This will help when they are torqued into place and minimize / eliminate exhaust leaks.
The Beaumont has a 454 in her so it was a little tight, there was a little trim on the back side of the upper control arm with a dye grinder say 1/4 " , no issues on the right. I Bolted them to the heads through the wheel wells, with the tires removed and the car on the hoist. No sweat hey.
The Sierra has a 383, so they slipped right in with no issues on either side, bolted from the top down.
I also believe Hedman pipes are a better designed for easier access of bolting and wrenching.
Good luck
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New Brunswick , 1950 Pontiac Silver Streak 2 Dr Sedan, 1967 Beaumont, 1985 Sierra 1500 One Owner
The Hedmans fit with no mods required to the headers. They fit nice. One thing that is a little bit of work is if you still have the original short water pump set up with the alternator on the drivers side. They use the exhaust manifold as a mount. I'm going to have to make up an adaptor / bracket..
I used one of these brackets to mount the power steering and moved the alternator to the passenger side because I used a long water pump. It would accommodate the alternator on the drivers side as well if you're using a short water pump.
Mike, make sure you keep and eye on that bracket once you start driving. I recall years ago when I worked in the service station that we often had trouble with that design cracking.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Mike, make sure you keep and eye on that bracket once you start driving. I recall years ago when I worked in the service station that we often had trouble with that design cracking.
I'll keep an eye on it, thanks for the heads up Carl. It's only keeping the belt tight on my power steering so it's not under tremendous stress. I expect it would be more prone to fail with the alternator hanging on it as well.
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72 Nova SS, 66 Beaumont Sport Deluxe, 09 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
