Got ceramic Hooker Headers - No dogleg

[Stangerize]

If things couldn't have been worse after my paint getting scratched by the windshield installer. I opened up the box of new Hooker Super Comp ceramic coated headers today and boy are they beautiful and shiny. I have waited since Aug. 5 for them. What?! No dogleg port?! Well if this isn't par for the d*mn course.

Now my question. All 1970 and later AMCs have the dogleg port right?
So when I ordered a set of headers for a 1976 Wagoneer with a 401, it's their mistake that I got a set for a pre-70 right?

This really blows. Anybody want a set of good headers for a pre-70 AMC V8? If so you may want to speak up now before Summit takes them back and may scrap them. You'll have to wait about 3 months for them if you order them. They better take them back.

[Stangerize]

They also have a hole in the flange connector approx. 5/8" diameter on the flat part halfway between the front and middle exhaust ports.
What is that for?
It wouldn't be emissions ports on a pre-70 would it?

[64Trvlr]

The only thing I can think to do is go to the Hooker web site and look up the headers you have and see what they fit. Then look up your Jeep and see what header that one is. Then compare and make sure they're 2 different ones. If they are different you have the info to complain with.
:cool:

[Stangerize]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 64Trvlr:
The only thing I can think to do is go to the Hooker web site and look up the headers you have and see what they fit. Then look up your Jeep and see what header that one is. Then compare and make sure they're 2 different ones. If they are different you have the info to complain with.
:cool:<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I know mine has the dogleg port and I know they would fit. But the exhaust ports just won't flow to their full potential because the dogleg area will be closed off.

Somehow on one of the gasket kits I received when I was putting the motor back together had a manifold gasket without the dogleg port and they fit, they just close off the dogleg portion of the exhaust port. You can cut the gasket to fit but not the header flange and tubing without alot of modification, then no ceramic coat in that area. :eek: Then low flow. They wouldn't leak. I'll check Hooker's site if I can to see if they don't have the right info on these models.

[Stangerize]

I guess I may be screwed and stuck with a set of $380 worth of junky headers that constrict my flow. According to their website...
http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/ES/ESH/Comp.html

They make a set 9403-1 that has the dogleg port for the CJs. But the only set listed for the post 70 Wags 9402-1 (which is what I have) get a rectangular port even though they all have the dogleg port.

I guess I'll have to get on the phone with Summit and tell them that Hooker has screwed up.

[64Trvlr]

Well at least now you know what's going on. I wonder if they can use CJ flanges and the tube to make your headers. It might be worth asking about when you call them. Might give them a way to fix things with you.
:cool:

[Jeep Craze]

I may be way out of line here, but what happens if you use the rectangular hole versus the dogleg port? And what does the dog leg shape look like? I am just wondering because on my 80 360 the headers I have on have rectangular holes and it has been working fine. Thanx Craig

[Stangerize]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 1980j10:
I may be way out of line here, but what happens if you use the rectangular hole versus the dogleg port? And what does the dog leg shape look like? I am just wondering because on my 80 360 the headers I have on have rectangular holes and it has been working fine. Thanx Craig<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Naw, you're not out of line. You're inquisitive and that's good. It helps the exhaust flow better. And that means more power. The Heddmans I have on it right now have the doglegs on them. The more modifications you have done to the engine the more you need more flow. More air in and more air out. Like running around the block on foot, inhaling deep breaths and exhaling through a straw. Just as people port and even port match their heads for better flow and more power. This is like closing off about 10% of the flow. I suppose this could burn an exhaust valve couldn't it? Since it will be blowing back? Maybe not but a good argument. :confused:

I even ground the welds down on the inside of my MAC equal lengths on my Mustang before installing them because they were pretty fat in there closing up the exhaust ports.

[Stangerize]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 1980j10:
I may be way out of line here, but what happens if you use the rectangular hole versus the dogleg port? And what does the dog leg shape look like? I am just wondering because on my 80 360 the headers I have on have rectangular holes and it has been working fine. Thanx Craig<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Shaped kind of like an L. And every port is shaped that way. The ports in the middle are mirrored pointing outward.

[Stangerize]

I'm emailing Hooker Headers' tech department. Whaddya think?

I ordered a set of Hooker Super Competition Ceramic Coated headers part #-9402-1 on Aug. 5th 2001 from Summit Racing for my 1976 AMC Jeep Wagoneer with a 401 cu. in. engine. I just received them the other day. As I opened the box and pulled one out I noticed that they do not fit the model years that they are specified to fit which is 1971-1979 models. It has a rectangular port instead of the "dogleg" port that is on all 1970 and later AMC V8s. No one ever asked me dogleg or rectangular port and it didn't seem like an issue to me since the design that fits all 1970 and later models are the "dogleg" port design.

There is a set of headers for a Jeep CJ (part #9403-1) listed as to have a port that is "SAP" (same as port). That should be the dogleg port but I am not sure what you recognize as "same as port". The set of Heddman Headers that I am replacing have the dogleg port even. What this will do is constrict the exhaust flow at the header and cause it to backflow into the valve and possibly burn all the exhaust valves out. I just spent $1,900 for shortblock and head work, had it bored to 407 cu. in., have a fairly warm Comp Cam, MSD ignition and a Holley 750 ready to go on top of the Edelbrock Performer intake. The last thing I want to do is yank the heads back off and put the Heddmans back on since they will work and the good looking Hooker Headers won't. I won't use these with the wrong ports.

What I do want is merely a set of Headers that fit like they should with the dogleg port and ceramic coated like I ordered. Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I haven't called Summit yet but will very soon. As the manufacturer of the product, I thought you should be made aware of this so you can correct it for your future customers as well as for me.


Sincerely,

[64Trvlr]

Thats a good start, hold off till tomorrow and reread it before you send it.
:cool:

[porkchop]

I always wonder ho wthis happens.

You should hold off until tomorrow like 64 said and rad it again and then send it off. As soon as ou send you need to give Summit a call and see if it was there mistake. THey have been know to put the wrong part in the box. I have bought from them in the past and will do it in the future. Have you tried Jeg's (http://www.jegs.com/) yet?

[Stangerize]

When I checked Hookers' site they had a complete list of the header applications. This was also a custom made job. The only set that Hooker listed for the 71-79 Wag had rectangular ports. I am pretty sure it wasn't Summit's fault and Jegs would give me the same thing. Hooker just has the wrong port design for this application. Check the link I listed above for Hooker. They are some sweet looking headers though. Ceramic coated inside and out.

[64Trvlr]

If they're a custom made header then maybe they can make a custom set that fits as a gesture of good will. It might be worth asking them to do. Just remember to be calm, non threatening, understanding and ask them what THEY think they should do to make it right with you. If they ask what you want just ask for a custom set that fits. That might work for you.
:cool:

[Jeep Craze]

Hey thanx for the quick lesson. I checked my old factory manifolds from my 360 that I still have laying around and I see what you mean by "L" shaped. I am almost possitive that my Headmans have the same thing. I think I would have noticed that when I compared the mounting areas. Thanx agian....and good luck Stangerize. Craig

[Lindel]

Doug Thorley's headers (the tri-y headers) have the dog-leg port. A bit pricey at nearly $500, but they fit nicely, and have a y pipe to make it a less painless hookup to the stock exhaust. I don't know if they are available with a ceramic coating, or if you'd have to send them to Jet Hot coatings, or something similar.

[Stangerize]

OK, talked to Summit. I only told them that Hooker is putting the wrong port design on their headers and that it won't flow properly. He seemed familiar with the design. And said they would take them back no problem. I don't think I am going to push the shipping reimbursement. The Hooker Super Comps that go on the 71-79 Wags and pickups with the dogleg port part # is 9817, 9817-1 for ceramic coating. The ceramic is $539.95 so I went with the Thorleys for $479.95 and they are chrome with a thicker flange. They don't specify the port design but they don't specify it to be rectangle either. He said their tech guy believes it should be the newer port design. I may have to get new SST header bolts a touch longer for the thicker flanges.

He said 1.5 to 2 weeks. Yea right. I checked the order status and it said expected 12-2-2001.

Thanks guys for letting me rant.

I long for the day that I don't have to re-engineer the wheel whilst working on the Wag. :rolleyes:

[jeepbob]

Welcome to the world of AMC and the mircocosum of FSJ's. Those of us with early rigs have to totally invent every thing for our rigs even the lift kits so we feel your pain. One of the things that attracted me to Wags in the first place is that not many people have the kehonas to make wheelin rigs from them let alone early ones. Even my junker will attract a crowd when we go wheelin.

[wagonrunner69]

Does any body know where i can find headers for a 79 wagoneer