Hooker 5115 install questions

[shadango]

I am considering a set of 5115s for my 318/j head car....have discussed it in other threads...

I did a search and found mixed results as far as the actual install.

I dont know how easy the bolts on my current manifolds are going to be to get off....but once I get past that, how tough are the 5115 headers to install?

I saw a few people with issues with tranny linkage clearance and such......is that common on these?

Do they have to go in from below or can they be dropped in from above?

Basically, looking for any and all info as far as the actual install...

Thanks guys.   
 

[422STROKER]

Those have the big 1 3/4 tubes, do you plan to upgrade the engine soon?  You may be killing off your bottom end tq added to the large chamber heads you have on the 318.

Tom

I have the Doug's and they slid in from below with little problems.  You need to use a mini starter with the 727 though.  There are some other guys running the super comps though with success.  I think they are the biggest off the shelf header tube for SB's.

[shadango]

Those have the big 1 3/4 tubes, do you plan to upgrade the engine soon?  You may be killing off your bottom end tq added to the large chamber heads you have on the 318.

Tom

I have the Doug's and they slid in from below with little problems.  You need to use a mini starter with the 727 though.  There are some other guys running the super comps though with success.  I think they are the biggest off the shelf header tube for SB's.

Well, thats kinda what I was wondering.....

I dont know if the engine has been worked over inside or not.

Now you are making me wonder more....

I decided that I was going to do the header route this morning so I pulled the stock manifolds.....turns out the drivers side had no exhaust gasket anyways, so it would have had to come off for that. The passenger side manifold has a cracked mounting tab as well.....not sure how solid/not solid it is....

I also had quite a surprise when I pulled the rear driver side bolt....someone had replaced the stud with the bolt, and I kinda forgot that that stud held back coolant...LOL....so now a big mess on my garage floor....

Other than that the bolts came out fine with some patience.

The engine has an oil filter 90 degree adaptor on it....so I am thinking that the car had headers on it before and someone just put these on quick-like at some point...

I already have the mini starter on it.....

Do you think I am going waaaay wrong with going the 5115 route?  I dont want to make this puppy turn into a dog.....

Dougs headers list up to 1974 for the 318 (not car specific far as I can tell) and note the "SAP" shape ports.....

What do I have?



Does it matter at all that my engine is a 76?  No idea what year the heads are.....

The 5115s seem to be more "universal"...

[422STROKER]

What are your plans for the car?  Cruising 90% of the time?  I'd go with the 1 5/8" tubes, I have them on my SB stroker, I'm giving up some but I street drive mostly so the high rpms don't come too often.  You want to keep the tq you have.

Tom

Were you going for the coated set?  Either way you're looking at 500+ for either the Dougs 1 5/8" or Hookers 1 3/4 /TTI 1 5/8-1 3/4 step.  They have them available uncoated as well.

For a driver I'd recommend the 1 5/8" Primaries with a decent 2.5" exhaust, you could go 2.25" with the 318 too.

I was going to get the TTI exhaust but got a local shop to build one for me 2.5" w/h-pipe and some chambered muffs for 600 installed and welded up.  About the same as the tti before shipping and then you have to install it.

Sounds good to me.

http://img532.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dimmer006by1.flv

http://img532.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ned82708001bh1.flv

http://img532.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ned82708004qr6.flv

[shadango]

Budget (or my cheapness) doesnt allow for the coated ones.....so going for the painted (or raw , for the Dougs)......

Do Jegs and Summit carry Dougs?  I guess I could go look, eh?  LOL

The best price I have found for the 5115s is $435 at Jegs....

[422STROKER]

I think your ports are fine, I have 587 heads I think they are the same exhaust port as the "J" head.

Tom

[shadango]

I found the Dougs (raw) on Summit for $429.....

So about the same as the 5115s......I can paint them I guess....

But they dont ship for over 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That sucks.  Dont know if I can.want to wait that long.....

Jegs has the ceramics for $579 and they ship Monday.....no listing for raw.....is theceramic coating worth it?

They also come with reducers it looks like, and the 5115s dont....so there is probably $30 or so, right? (Can you tell I am trying to justify the cost creep?  LOL)

(The Dougs do go above the center link, right?)

[422STROKER]

Yes they go over tho top side.

Look around I got mine on Amazon for @ 500 shipped but I had been looking for a bit.

Here is some on EBAY call and double check on availability.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dougs-D453-Dodge-273-360-Long-Tube-66-74-Headers_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem51860b1724QQitemZ350141224740QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[422STROKER]

There are coated ones available on the bag as well,

they fit well and seem to clean up ok from oil spills(coated)

Tom

[shadango]

Thanks for the links and pics....

The tube running past the oil pan seems tight.....I have a Milodon (I think) deep pan....wondering if it will be an issue???

Also, their site says you need to use certain mini-starter part numbers....is that just them trying to seel theirs?  I already have a ministarter in place....

Your tranny lines also seem to run different from mine....or is it just the picture that makes it look that way?  Mine run up close to the side of the pan....

Oh, and at this point, I am probably going to have the local shop do the exhaust....mandrel bent looks nicer but for my car, I am guessing will do little for performance....I am not all that hot on installing the exhaust myself to be honest....

[422STROKER]

I don't think the type of mini-starter matters much yours looks like mine.

the trans lines are right next to the pan I think I tweaked them around a bit for clearances(heat).

Not sure on the pan, that is something to worry about with any aftermarket combo.

Tom

[422STROKER]

"SAP" stands for Same As Port.

Tom

[71chally416]

I wouldn't loose any sleep over which street headers you choose. You have 340 heads with 1.6" exhaust valves on the car anyway so any 340/360 type headers are fine. Just get some that will seal up good and not leak because the flanges on the head or the collector flanges are too thin. 

[422STROKER]

I wouldn't loose any sleep over which street headers you choose. You have 340 heads with 1.6" exhaust valves on the car anyway so any 340/360 type headers are fine. Just get some that will seal up good and not leak because the flanges on the head or the collector flanges are too thin. 

 

And all the ones you are looking at have nice thick flanges.

Tom

[shadango]

SO, what are the chances anyone out there has the Dougs or Hooker headers AND the milodon pan!?

LOL

Ah, the questions never stop, do they?

LOL