49-54 chevy header alternative?

To me, it looks like the engine is sitting farther forward than the way most SBC V-8 swaps are done, but it's difficult to see clearly. Were the firewall supports cut/partially removed? "deto", here on the HAMB, although he has't posted in some time now, has a 49 Coupe he built his own mounts for, and used modified late model Camaro headers; he actually had to make a somewhat extended collector. He is also using a manual transmission, and the clutch linkage is tight on these. My 51 Bus Coupe had the 350 set exactly how/where the Ch***is Engineering mounts were supposed to go, modified firewall supports, and used Baby LT1/Caprice exhaust manifolds. Personally, I don't care for the Sanderson tube headers at all; they don't match side to side, and I think that somewhat defeats the purpose of headers. Any clearer, closer, more photos, possibly from underneath by the steering box/pitman arm? I am Butch/56sedandelivery.\

I'll say this on the Baby LT1 cast iron exhaust manifolds. They are virtually a cast iron header, with individual runners going up and back, then down to a common collector. The tin covers were removed, the AIR ports plugged, and an additional hole drilled in the flange (7 bolt flanges to 6 bolt heads) that required an Allen head bolt. They look good, and definitely made for a good sound and power. I'd use them again, unless there was a BETTER header out there. Headers tend to be "pingy", something the LT1 manifolds don't do. The only negative about them, they are actually designed for D-port heads.
There is currently a thread over on HotRodders.Com concerning a 50 Chevrolet V-8 swap. Someone has posted some AFTERMARKET William's exhaust manifolds for this swap. Both sides match side to side, are over the plug manifolds, and dump at an angle towards the rear. Seems like a good option to me, but I can't find them anywhere for sale.

 

Used the chevelle style headers on my 54. In the late 90's Rod an Custom did a series putting a 350 350 in a 53. Used to have these mags but tossed them not thinking I'd build another car. I used Walden mounts and trans mount.

 

I know this thread is really old, but what hugger headers was/is (if he stills owns the car) running? I am doing a '69 327 with a th350 on a stock suspension/stock steering 52 styleline deluxe.

 

back from the dead with this one. I am struggling big time. I've read this post a few times and seems like I hav tried everything, with no luck. So I am turning to you guys for insight.

I have a '49 with a sbc, stock front end(suspension, steering) not notching the frame or changing steering box.....I just need headers/manifolds that fit. I have tried the stock ones that came on the engine, no luck. I tried a random set that was in the bed when i took over this project from the previous owner, no luck. I bought the Hedman 68600 like suggested near the beginning of the thread, no luck. They hit the steering box and the frame on the p***enger side. Engine is set low and back in the engine bay. What is the Caprice headers I keep reading about? Anyone have date range for them? Anyone have a for sure fitment part number for any brand? This is holding me up big time and I can't seem to get past it.

Just want to drive this thing before the snow flies here in Illinois, well more so before the salt gets put down.

J

 

You said in the bed. You working on car are pickup? Pick up left side is a real bear.

 

pickup, sorry. So many things to detail in the first one, I knew I’d glaze over something important. ‘49 gmc pickup is the project. Bought it from a dude that has “started” on it. Lots of good stuff there but the things missing are apparently the difficult items like headers.

 

Buy bends from Speedway and make a set. What does "hit the frame" mean? People often times have to "m***age" a header to get things to fit. A small notch in the frame may be easier than the alternative.

 

last resort is to make some. I just can’t believe there isn’t a set on the market that fit. “Hit the frame” literally means the headers are hitting the frame. Can’t get them on. Don’t want to notch the frame unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Looking at Sanderson now, the CC2 and they say they will fit. Has anyone used them and confirm they fit? I know there are variable in every custom build with placement motor mounts and everything else but this is a common swap so there should be a solution.

 

the old trick was to use 55 chevy manifolds and swop them side to side. that puts the driver side manifold outlet out the front and down. I did this on a few cars, never tried it on a truck.

 

Friend of mine just put a LS2 in his 55 Chevy (his car, not mine). He ended up having to do a small notch.

Was done quickly and looks fine. There are books written on this swap. Experts to call on the phone. Even people who have done it with the front clipped with a Camaro front end like his. As you noted, there are variables in every build. What works for one isn't necessarily going to work for another.

We built fenderwell headers for my Pontiac. My car is maybe the only car they would ever fit without modifying them.

 

I’ll double check the side to side swap. I swear I checked it and something wasn’t right. God option though! I’ve seen the fender well headers option but I think wider tires will be an issue down the road. Rocking some skinny artillery wheels now but need some more rubber on the road soon

 

Those look promising! I found an OEM replacement from Dorman at a local auto parts store. 647-197 cheap and thinking I can just grab them over the counter and try them.

 

Update:
Sanderson headers do not fit, CC2 is the part number. Frame notch required on p***enger side and they do NOT clear the stock steering box. The hedman 68600 do not fit either. They require frame not on p***enger side and do not even come close to clearing the steering box.
Going back to the stock manifolds from the previous owner. Minor frame notch on the p***enger side is required and they clear the steering box too.
So bummed I can't run any of these other ones with the stock front end truck.

 

Sanderson special headers have worked on twoof my projects before switching to MII. If the Sanderson did not fit then I have to think it is placement your engine. I have used a set of truck (88-9x) headers but you have to cut part of the lower body mount. Not sure if they will clear stockbut they are up higher than others I have seen.

the cam get

 

I wish mine fit like yours in the picture. My engine(SBC) is mounted low and back just like everyone says to do. With the truck being a stock front end (suspension, steering and frame rails) the Sandersons are far from working.

 

This exhaust manifold is a 55-56, 265, p***enger side manifold; the drivers side had the generator mount. They work well for the 49-54 cars, but have fairly small ports, so plan accordingly. We used Ch***is Engineering mounts, made our own transmission cross-member/mount, and then used 1996, L-99, baby LT-1 exhaust manifolds. They are almost a cast iron header, they go up and back, and then down for the collector. We removed the tin covers, welded up the AIR ports, and had to drill one hole in each to use them with y bolt exhaust mounting heads. Used a small reducer and made a gasket out of aluminum (the fiber one failed). Look good, sound good, made power, and they were used/cheap. They are also used on Firebirds/Camareos/trucks/and other GM-SBC engined full sized cars. No pics.
I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

if it is a truck, I cant help. I thought it was a car. If I had a truck, I would have mounted it higher as it has plenty of hood area. can you do new motor mounts and raise it some. Mine is as far back as possible (practical) and I raise it about an 1 or so above where the Walton Fabrication motor mounts recommended because I am running a Fatman Ultra crossmember and I wanted the oil pan to be above the crossmember

 

^^^Well, if it's a truck, I'm out too. Can't help with that^^^. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

It is a truck, 49' gmc 100/150....I appreciate both of you for helping though. Fast replies and the willingness to help, didn't go unnoticed.

Best,
J