HEADERS, EXHAUST???

[Duckman]

OK, I just snapped off all four bolts on the exhaust manifold connecting to the y pipe :eek: The good thing is I want to replace the exhaust any way. Now that I have a good excuse, who makes the best/cheapest headers for the good old 360 in an 88 Wag? I would like side exhaust in front of the rear wheel if possible :D Thanks guy's

[mccullough_89_GW]

summitracing.com had a set of hedman headers for $104, but someone was saying they didn't fit right ...
I was thinking of getting a set myself...
they have free shipping also...(but a handling charge)

anyway good luck...

[Stangerize]

They fit my 76 after I cut the front diff. snubber bracket with a torch. Then they sat right down in there.

I ordered a set of Hooker Headers from the ceramic coated and they sent me headers without a dogleg port. I sent them back and ordered a set of Thorleys back in Oct. They were on backorder. I'm still waiting for them.

[Lindel]

The Thorleys are supposed to be available in another month, according to one of their tech reps. (I called on the 616Y headers) Thorley's are the best you're going to get for the FSJ.

Duckman, you used two mutually exclusive terms in the Jeep world ;) , cheapest and best ;) . Cheapest doesn't really apply at all, and as far as best goes, you get what you pay for! Especially with FSJ's!

If I had to go inexpensive, I'd go with the Hedman, but if you're going to install an entire exhaust, get the Thorley's. They come with their own heat riser valve, and are the best quality.

[jhatcher]

I know you said you are hoping to upgrade but if you want you can remove the exhaust manifold and redrill the four screws, get studs, put them back in, and good as new. That is what I did when I broke mine.

Joseph

[Duckman]

I want to get back on the road asap. Are there any other headers that will fit? Has anyone put dual exhaust on their GWAG. I am curious where you ran the pipes? I appreciate the help.

[BIG BAD JON]

I was just fixing to post a question similar to Duckman's last one! I am going to put Edelbrock headers on my G-Wag this summer! I would like to replace the whole exaust.And straights is just what I had in mind!

[86wagproject]

I just ordered a set of Thorleys on monday from Truckperformance. They gave me a date of the 23rd as the scheduled delivery date.I think that these are the best option, as you can still run a stock exhaust, with a lifetime warranty. $500.00 though.

[Dude]

I have the Hedmans. They never fit just right. I had the pass side collector weld fail twice. The driver's side had to be heated and the collector pulled toward the center of the engine to get it off the frame rail (and fuel and brake lines). I will hopefully be taking these pieces of junk off shortly and replacing them w/ the edelbrock 6881 or the Thorley set. Does anyone know how much they are asking for a set of Thorleys plain??

[86wagproject]

see above $500.00

[Jerk]

I know since jeep changed their front diff placement to the drivers side from passenger side in '79, the up to '79 headers will probably interfere with the diff bump stop on the frame rail on all '80 and newer jeeps as stated by stang'. I had some thorley tri-y's years back and they are longer than headmens, they also cracked every weld on them after 8 years of winter driving. something about 600 degree metal tubing hitting 40 degree water/slush for years. plus, they didn't have a one piece head flange, there were 3 seperate flanges for each side and required a crowbar to align one runner/flange to its exhaust port on the head when reinstalling them. as a side note, my dad rewelded them and runs them on his current '79 j20, they tick a bit, but oh well. I got headman 4 into 1's and they work well, as long as I double up the head flange gaskets. :D

[bentpushrod]

Does anybody know if Edelbrock makes a version of their GW headers without air tubes?

[TexasJ10]

I think the edelbrocks for FSJ only come with air tubes. Where is the best place to get these headers? Anyone have bad experiences?

[tufala]

I bought not one, but two sets of Edelbrock headers for my '84 GW, b/c the first set didn't fit right....and somehow I got stuck/charged for both sets (long story). They keep blowing gaskets, my exhaust guy tells me that Edelbrock won't fit the 360. I see other folks suggesting Thorley. I have had bad luck with both Summit and Edelbrock trying to get them to stick to the warranty. I mailed the defective set back, over a YEAR ago, and have not heard anything back from them. Does anyone know if the copper gaskets will work with my Edelbrocks?

[Ralph]

The CoppeSEAL gaskets work very well with the Edelbrocks, as they do with any header or manifold. I've been using them sor quite some time because I got fed up with exhaust leaks in general, and also because I really wanted to avoid similar problems with Edelbrock headers.

Another nice item is a set of Stage8 bolts, which are a bit of a PITA to install but certainly worthwhile. The trick is to install them and tighten them as much as possible. Forget the torque wrench, which you probably can't use to get around the headers anyway.

[trssho]

I would suggest sticking with factory manifolds, and installing hi flow cat and good muffler. Unless you have a motor turning hi RPM's I dont think you will get much improvement with headers and dual exhaust.
Also with factory headers, you are less likely to have exhaust leaks, which is a HUGE pain.

[bentpushrod]

Thanks for the info on the edelbrock headers. I guess my options are down to Hookers. I do not want air tubes. I also don't want the Thorleys, because I don't want that funky cross over pipe. I want true duals not the 2 into 1 back into 2 crap. I'm not impressed with Hedman. Have a set of Hedman's in a dodge that are junk. Fifteen years ago I ran a set of Hedmans in a mustang and they were fine.

[TexasJ10]

A few years ago I read somewhere that there was a extrusion honing process that pumped some sort of abrasive through stock manifolds to increase the passge ways and smooth the flow. The test results they presented looked like headers did not provide nearly the boost they are represented to have. There was practically no diffrence with the honed manifolds. Has anyone else seen this process or know where it can be found?

[JB]

gosh , the headers are prolly one of the only cheap upgrades I havent made to the ole beast.. but , I did have it on the things to do list.. but after reading yalls responses.. I might just stick with the factory manifolds. I do have dual exaust straight out the back without the cats.. I noticed a nice improvement with this upgrade, I figured I would notice another boost of power with the headers.. yall now have me thinking twice.

[Tino]

I mentioned this in another thread, but it seems relevant here too...

I have been told, by two reliable friends, that headers will provide no significant improvement in the performance of my 360, unless i plan on running over 6000 RPM most of the time. Needless to say, I don't! Furthermore, these guys tell me that they will burn my plug wires, and all the other wires that run anywhere near them, with the heat. A waste of money for a non-racing vehicle, they say. When I get tired of welding patches onto the stock exhaust, I'll go to either dual 2" or 2.25" exhaust or single 3", depending on installation practicalities.

[tufala]

Ralph & others,
Thanks for the feedback on the copper seal gaskets, and other good advice on the headers. I am picking up the gaskets tomorrow at NAPA.
Also read some old posts (I'm new to this site) on all the FRAM filter stuff, & found that really interesting....too bad I've been using FRAM all this time but not for long. Looks like WIX or Purolator is the filter of choice. I've got a long way to go to get my '84 GW back on track. All it takes is a little time and $$ !!

[Slingmaster]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Duckman:
I want to get back on the road asap. Are there any other headers that will fit? Has anyone put dual exhaust on their GWAG. I am curious where you ran the pipes? I appreciate the help.<hr></blockquote>

On my Honcho I ran duals back and right angled behind the rear tires for about 150 bucks. The pass. side went almost straight back and the drv side doglegs just past the T-Case. Also, the shop made me put on a Cat, but its fine cause it works real well as a crossover/equalizer.