What headers have the best chance of fitting without modifiation?

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Down Shift

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Mar 11, 2018
12
28
13
HI,

First, car is a 1979 Malibu with a SBC350 with Vortec heads and a TH400.

I bought a set of Flowtech headers (31104 FLT), and they fit fine, but the driver's side header had a bad weld so they went back to Summit. I just exchanged them for another pair. With the 2nd pair, the passenger side header interferes with the rearward front lower control arm mount. I am going to send them back, but I'm not sure I want to roll the dice with Flowtech again.

What brand tends to fit best? I would prefer stainless or ceramic coated.

I did a search, but my search-fu must be weak because I didn't come up with anything.

Thanks!
 

565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
9,590
12,611
113
Michigan
I bought some stainless Ebay headers that fit very well, I had to notch the driver's side clamshell and because I have a column shifter I had to modify the linkage.
Here is the thread about them.


20190707_191602-1_resized.jpg
 
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Down Shift

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Mar 11, 2018
12
28
13
Thanks for the suggestion. For better or worse, the first set of headers I bought were stainless ones off Ebay. The listing said they would fit a 1979 Malibu. There was so much interference between the passenger side header and the frame that I couldn't even bolt them up. They were totally unsusable. Maybe I just chose the wrong Chinese headers?

I've been through 3 sets of headers now and none of them have worked out. I just want to buy something of decent quality that fits and be done with it.
 

Doug Chahoy

Comic Book Super Hero
Nov 21, 2016
2,564
2,661
113
I tried Flowmaster 1st, did not fit at all. Bought Hooker SS, alot of issues but got them to work. If I was to do another G body project I’d go with shorties
 

roger1

G-Body Guru
Aug 23, 2010
537
767
93
San Angelo, TX
Hedman 66609 fit great in my El Camino. The 66609 are for D port heads which my LT1 has. I do believe they make the same headers for regular ports too. Not sure what the number is for those.
 

Down Shift

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Mar 11, 2018
12
28
13
Well, I just decided to "fix" the Flowtech headers. I know I damaged the ceramic coating and they will rust in that area, but by golly now they fit with 1/4" of clearance!

On to tackling other problems with this build...

Thanks for the responses!
 
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