Projects Block huggers vs ramhorns

Hey y'all, I'm very VERY close to starting up the sbc in the 41 ford for cam break in. I have a set of block huggers that actually fit in there, even on the driver's side, incredible! But I will have to heat and beat for spark plug wire clearance on the two middle cylinders, even with shorty plugs. Not a big deal really, but wondering if ram horns might be a better option. The thought of not having header leaks and burned plug wires doesn't sound bad. I got these block huggers for free, and speedway has ramhorns for cheap so it's not the end of the world either way. ... For ram horns I would have to use the Chevy pickup truck trick, right side on the left to get around the steering box. I have read that ram horns actually flow as good as shortie block hugger type headers. Here's a pic of the block huggers just for fun.
What would you do and why?

 

Get a set of repro 2.5 outlet Rams Horn manifolds. j
look old and get great flow. No alternator mounts, no casting numbers. Last ones from Summit worked great.

 

Cheap FleaBay SS "Angle" plug work well
Thick flang $130isu better made then Sanderson's

 

I have used both on my truck. Currently using the Rams Horn and have more room for plugs and wires with them. Major difference I think is less heat in engine area and not heating up starter and other things. My experience and choice. Good luck with yours. Ed

 

Can you tell me what brand etc? I'm looking on ebay not seeing them, thanks!

 

Ram’s Horns in a heartbeat. Unless the engine is really radical, I always prefer manifolds. The older I get, the more I appreciate low maintenance items such as cast iron manifolds.

 

Andy said it all....

 

Ram's horns here, NO issues in 10 years!

 

I like manifolds better too, I've had way too many problems with headers.

I also believe the current manifold manufacturers have forgotten how to make quality manifolds, or they never got the message. I'm not impressed with modern exhaust manifolds compared to the HAMB era ones. Modern stuff may have better flow, but probably won't be around in 20 more years. They have done engineered the quality right out of the parts.

 

+1 on the ram's horns for a street car. I've done both.

 

Ram horns, for the reasons you stated. Block hugger headers aren't an advantage for nothing other than clearance. Unless you enjoy hearing the psss psss psss sound from leaks. And tightening header flange bolts constantly.

 

I Run what ever I need for each project/ combo , I use stock manifold , or Production headers or make my own.
I have looked did not see the usual sellers of the angle plug, they're usually around $130, only one I seen $200 here are few options

 

I have not had any PssPss leaks with those cheap SS , made as well as Holley & ****** ,But I can say the Sanderson for SBC """"Junk """
Not worth the $$

 

If ya cut the flange with a wiz wheel between the ports it'll let the flange expand and contract and take the pressure off the bolts when cooling down and heating up and the bolts won't loosin up. Been doin that for over 30 years and never had an issue with psss psss psss

 

There was a dyno comparison on an impala forum. According to it, there was only a couple HP difference in rams horns(2.5) and the center dump style block huggers. Don’t know the brand they used.
I’ve got a pair of the repro vette style rams horn manifolds for about the last 3-4 years. The casting quality is not as good as GM but I’ve had zero issues. I replaced a set of worn out busted headers.
The sound inside the vehicle was quieter.

 

^^^This.

 

Oh absolutely! Throw the ceramic coating on them and they're top shelf street rod headers!

 

I run the ram horns , so you can run your plug wires under the manifold and up from the bottom , and you won’t burn the plug boots on the close pipes , hate to see plug wires run and hanging all over the top of the valve covers with burnt plug ends !!!

 

I changed from std Rams Horns with angled output to 2.50" Corvette Rams Horns several years ago. The 2.50 dump straight down. I have rack-and-pinion so I had to change shafts and ujoints to clear.
And FWIW, I've been told than cast manifolds are not as "noisy" as tubular headers.

 

That too... what Frank said.
Manifolds suppress the pingy percussion sounds you might have with headers.

 

My preference on the street is cast iron for all the reasons stated. The smooth ones look great to day and were a pita to do yourself.
I also liked the stock heat deflectors and “smile” wire protector that hugged the block; I’m guessing the restoration suppliers may offer them.

 

I used to want headers on everything I built, not any more. When I got the engine in the Lincoln where I wanted it, I couldn’t find a header to fit. I was planning on stock shorty Fox Mustang headers, but they wouldn’t clear the steering box. After many searches and hours of looking at pics, I decided I’d either have to raise the engine and trans, which I didn’t want to do, build my own headers, something I never was too good at, or run some kind of manifolds. Turned out Explorer manifolds fit like they were designed for the car, and looked factory on it. Low maintenance, don’t have to worry about changing gaskets and keeping bolts tight all the time, look good with a little high heat paint from time to time. My car is a cruiser, not a bruiser, so I didn’t need every hp I could squeeze out of it.

Note to self: next time, plan exhaust before building motor mounts. Don’t be putting stuff together permanently when you haven’t had enough sleep to think through the possibilities.

 

I have a 69 Chevy PU right side ram horn on the left side of my 40 coupe with a 525 box. It allows the exhaust to wrap around the front of the steering box and under. Straight down ram horn on the right side. I have block huggers on my deuce 3 window and hate them because of the plug wire clearance. On most of the builds we've done in the last several years we've used the Speedway style Tru Rams. We get them from a different company where they're 100.00 cheaper than Speedway.

 

All good recommendations it seems. I will go out and do some more staring at the driver's side. Man, if I would have just pushed the engine 1/2" more to the p***enger side I wouldn't have any issues. Got too excited and burned the mounts into place with the engine centered. But hey, my first rod build so I'm learning. I definitely want to do another one for my wife so I'll keep that in mind next time for sure.
I did see an episode of engine Masters where they would heat up header tubes and bash them with a hammer, and run on the dyno again. They beat that set of headers senseless with several tests in between and it did not affect power. So even if I run with these block huggers I can heat and beat to avoid plug wire issues and should be okay. But then again if I just run manifolds it's all gravy. Kind of a tough choice since I already have the block huggers. Maybe I will just run the block huggers for cam break in and get a set of manifolds before I head to the exhaust shop.

 

If you end up using the block huggers, look into using the wires that were designed for the ram's horn manifolds, which are routed below the manifold, back along the block, and up at the very back of the engine. Might make it easier to get the plug wires to work. They have 90 degree boots on the plugs.

 

I don’t think the Chevy pickup rams horn are 2.5”, so will be slightly less on flow than the comparisons of the 2.5” rams horns and the block huggers.

 

Yep, this is the ultimate solution-the best. I use 'em on any and everything i can, once installed right its the end of manifold problems. Had headers etc. and now they are rebar i guess.

 

Well ram horns it is. Even after heating and denting the block huggers to make them work, they still won't work haha. They must be a super cheap set, I literally couldn't even get a shorty spark plug into cylinder #5. Hung em up on the shop wall and will order some manifolds. Now I won't have to worry about it, they will just plain work with less stress.

 

Shorty headers all-the-way! For a coupla reasons:
1. So you won't be constantly answering the cruise-in-clowns question..."Why don't cha put headers on it and pick up another 50 HP!" "My buddy's pal's cousin swapped on a set of them headers and picked up a full second in the quarter!"
2. Are ye a hot rodder or just a family man with a bossy old lady ? Put them headers on there and run 'em straight outta the dam collectors!
Ye can't hear any leaks and ye get all kinds of thumbs-upz.
Tell all "da boyz" at the cruise-in you just got these shortys on temporarily until
your equal-length long tubes ******s come in !
6sally6