I've found that "economy type" headers work well and last several years with proper prep. That's all I've ever used. Using hi-temp header paint before installing and following paint instructions will add life to them. Of course the paint burns off after a few months/years butt....headers should give several years of service. Once they start getting surface rust...the next time you need to pull the engine or headers...just use POR-15 brush on Hi-Temp exhaust manifold paint. Perserves them even longer.
10-15 year life span....maybe more!
6sally6

I doubt very much they would fall into the "budget" catagory of headers, but I have been a fan of the JBA shorties for a long time now.  They fit well, are made very strong, seal excellent, are nickel plated (at least back when I bought mine), and fit every conceivable combination of 289/302 you can think of (manual trans, cable clutch, power steering, etc.).  Just my .02 cents worth.....had a pair on my 66 GT fastback for a LONG time now (since 1996 or there abouts).  They run better than the stock manifolds and get better mileage too.

Can't beat a good ol' 289 HIPO manifold for durability, maintainability and fitment.  I have JBA shorties on my 427 stroker and they do fit and seal very well.  If I ever build a car with a 5.0 based Windsor in it, it will have the HIPO manifolds and 2-1/4" exhaust system.

I have a 65 with a 87 302 HO and AOD I put Hedman ceramic coated shorties on it.  they fit very well BUTT! They started rusting after a year and Hedman recoated them.  all i had to do was pay for shipping $80 total, after another year guess what, they started rusting again, Hedman offered to recoat them again all I had to do was pay shipping, another $80.  They said my car was subject to high moisture and that caused the rusting!  HA aren't all cars!  I guess I'm supposed to keep my headers in my house wrapped in plastic while not in use!

They fit very well though!!  

Do you get the feeling I'm a bit bitter?? YOU BET, I just try to warn anyone about buying their JUNK!  I decided to just run them rusty like most CHEAP headers and eventually replace them with some GOOD ones later.

But they fit well!!

MustangSteve wrote:

Can't beat a good ol' 289 HIPO manifold for durability, maintainability and fitment.  I have JBA shorties on my 427 stroker and they do fit and seal very well.  If I ever build a car with a 5.0 based Windsor in it, it will have the HIPO manifolds and 2-1/4" exhaust system.

I agree with Steve. I have a set of long tube Hedmans on my 66/289 that were originaly for the 351 conversion. I have had to modify them for my MS clutch cable and fab a heat shield. HIPO headers would have solved all of those problems as well as being able to change plugs in less than an hour. I plan on changing mine out when budget allows.

terry wrote:

I have a 65 with a 87 302 HO and AOD I put Hedman ceramic coated shorties on it.  they fit very well BUTT! They started rusting after a year and Hedman recoated them.  all i had to do was pay for shipping $80 total, after another year guess what, they started rusting again, Hedman offered to recoat them again all I had to do was pay shipping, another $80.  They said my car was subject to high moisture and that caused the rusting!  HA aren't all cars!  I guess I'm supposed to keep my headers in my house wrapped in plastic while not in use!

They fit very well though!!  

Do you get the feeling I'm a bit bitter?? YOU BET, I just try to warn anyone about buying their JUNK!  I decided to just run them rusty like most CHEAP headers and eventually replace them with some GOOD ones later.

But they fit well!!

All I can say is I've had these on my car now for about 5 years and they look very good still.  Do not need to pull and recoat.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-88408



 

Quit teasing.

Hey Michael,
Do those headers hang down very low? In other words, do you think they would get banged up on a lowered car?

 

whlnut wrote:

Hey Michael,
Do those headers hang down very low? In other words, do you think they would get banged up on a lowered car?
 

No, they did not hang down low.  I did have some fitment issues with my z-bar, but I was able to work around it by making a longer upper rod and a shorter lower rod.