Flowtech headers for 307

[ronbz455]

I just bought some Flowtech headers to put on my 86 Buick Regal until I put a 350 or 455 Buick engine in it. I noticed after checking the alignment of the gaskets that it will leak badly. I have the Zone getting me both exaust gaskets for the round and square to see how they fit. It looks like I will have to lower the bolt holes in the heades to raise them on the heads so they will seal correctly. It has the 307 Olds in it. Has anyone here been through this?

 

[307 Regal]

Wish I could help. This is a project I almost did with my '87. I even have the same headers. I ended up with a 350 though, just like what you're planning.
How can you tell it's going to leak? I know there was at least one guy who did this in a Regal with a late '80s 307 like ours. Haven't heard from him on here in a while though. He posted a video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2_69MnHiQs ) of it running but the audio isn't great. He never mentioned any exhaust leak issues.
Anyway, I know somebody on here has used these headers. I'm always seeing them brought up. Hopefully they see this thread.

 

[ronbz455]

When my gaskets get to the Zone I will post pics of how they look when I get them here.

 

[ronbz455]

When my gaskets get to the Zone I will post pics of how they look when I get them here.

Looks like stock gaskets are the best choice but I will have to weld the header mounting surface around the outer holes and round off that center divider to make them seal and flow right.

 

[bill]

these headers are the same for all SBO's in the Gbody....Mine are not leaking thus far and I used the supplied gaskets that they provided. The "o" ring design is supposed to provide a good seal...although it does appear to be a bit odd in appearance

 

[ronbz455]

these headers are the same for all SBO's in the Gbody....Mine are not leaking thus far and I used the supplied gaskets that they provided. The "o" ring design is supposed to provide a good seal...although it does appear to be a bit odd in appearance

If I use the supplied gaskets all ports would leak at the bottom. I added metal to the outer sides of the end ports to make a better seal and opened up the insides to meet the round outer ports of the head. I just tried to install the right header and it hits the frame and won't come down enough to bolt the rear bolts up. It may be my motor mount sagging so I will buy a new one and try it. I might have to move #4 cyl header pipe back a bit to clear the crossmember.

 

[ronbz455]

Havn't done the motor mounts yet but notched the frame and the right side fit but the lower pipe is lying on the motor mount heat shield so that might have to go when I do the mount. It also seems the end bolt holes are almost too close inward so might have to open them up a little..

 

[ronbz455]

Ok it's in and bolted up. The left side looks easy compared to the right. Does anyone know how tight it is to the starter?

 

[ronbz455]

Left side on. Here is a couple of pics of how I welded up the outsides of the outer header ports to put more surface to push on the gasket and how I ported the outside ports and cut down the divider since the divider in the head isn't flush with the surface of the exaust side.

 

[ronbz455]

Ok now I can't get the starter past the header. Do I have to take the header loose to get the starter past it or what? Do I need a mini starter with headers on a 307? This starter is half the size of an old starter.