Header Help

[Sensei Wayne]

Does anyone have advice on what headers work best with a 1972 Buick Centurion with a 455? I have had trouble finding exhaust manifolds for my car, and I am thinking of going with headers. Unfortunately, I do not know anything about which headers have the easiest fit for my vehicle. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Wayne 

[keiser31]

Go to Summit Racing site and look/ask there. They can probably help you out.

 

Edited September 3, 2017 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Sensei Wayne]

Thank you.

[lump]

Sensei, 

In my personal experience, I would NEVER use the words "easiest to fit" when talking about headers. Especially on vehicles other than Camaros, Chevelles, Mustangs, etc. Be prepared for LOTS of work, like raising the engine part way out of the engine bay, and test-fitting the headers multiple times...in and out, again and again, to get them fitting right. Then, you'll probably want to buy some of that heat-proof exhaust wrap, to keep the headers from melting your spark plug wires. AND, then you'll need special looms, brackets, and spark plug wires. 

 

I spent years as a street-racing young fool, constantly trying to coax more power out of my engines. Headers were one of the best investments I made, and well worth the effort when you're after more power, But NEVER were they "easy" to install. Never. 

[Sensei Wayne]

Thank you for your reply. I am already worried about this. I am not really after the added power here, I just want to replace the exhaust manifolds, which have a hole in them (both sides). So far, I have not been able to find any exhaust manifolds for the car. This is my first classic car, and I was surprised to find there were no replacement exhaust manifolds available for the car. Funny, I remember 1972, and somehow, in my mind I thought there would still be lots of parts available. Rookie mistake there!

 

I am calling some more places this week, so maybe I'll get lucky. I was planning on using the headers as a last resort in case I can't find exhaust manifolds. Of course, if someone said, that there was a header that was "easy" I probably would have been swayed into attempting them. Thanks for the warning since I have no experience in raising an engine... yet. To tell you the truth, I have never replaced exhaust manifolds either, but I was planning to learn with the help of my friend who is a mechanic.

 

Wayne

[joe_padavano]

24 minutes ago, Sensei Wayne said:

Thank you for your reply. I am already worried about this. I am not really after the added power here, I just want to replace the exhaust manifolds, which have a hole in them (both sides). So far, I have not been able to find any exhaust manifolds for the car. This is my first classic car, and I was surprised to find there were no replacement exhaust manifolds available for the car. Funny, I remember 1972, and somehow, in my mind I thought there would still be lots of parts available. Rookie mistake there!

 

 

While I run headers on all my performance vehicles, you do NOT want headers simply because you are having difficulty finding stock manifolds.  The "collateral damage" that results from header installation will far outweigh any benefit in your application.  As for finding stock manifolds, all Buick 455s from 1970-1975 used the same exhaust manifolds - casting nos. 1238094 right and 1233451 left. There are at least half a dozen on ebay right now.  

[joe_padavano]

By the way, I'll add that the car you selected as your first older car, while beautiful and likely a lot of fun, is NOT one that is particularly popular to restore.  Don't expect to find a lot of new and repro parts for it.  Hone your skills at crafting search strings for ebay and Craigslist to search out good used parts, which will be your only option in most cases.  Personally I enjoy that "hunt" for parts.  Some people, however, simply want to be able to order new parts from a catalog.  This car isn't for them.

[Sensei Wayne]

Thanks Joe,

 

I never even thought to look on ebay! I also likely hurt my search efforts since I always used 1972 in all my searches. Great tips! The search for parts never really occurred to me. I did not know it would be a problem when I bought the car since I figured the seventies weren't that far in the past. I keep forgetting that my daughters' generations consider me old! Anyway, I always thought that this would be a great hobby, and although I am only just getting my feet wet now, I think I will enjoy both driving my car and hunting for parts for it.

 

Wayne

 

 

[joe_padavano]

2 hours ago, Sensei Wayne said:

Thanks Joe,

 

I never even thought to look on ebay! I also likely hurt my search efforts since I always used 1972 in all my searches. Great tips! The search for parts never really occurred to me. I did not know it would be a problem when I bought the car since I figured the seventies weren't that far in the past. I keep forgetting that my daughters' generations consider me old! Anyway, I always thought that this would be a great hobby, and although I am only just getting my feet wet now, I think I will enjoy both driving my car and hunting for parts for it.

 

Wayne

 

 

 

It kind of sneaks up on you, but your car IS old, unfortunately - it's getting close to HALF A CENTURY old, in fact.

 

Good luck with the search.

[Larry Schramm]

Nice looking convertible.  Should be a fun summer car.

[lump]

And as Joe said, headers bring "side effects" with them, many of which are unwanted in a non-hot-rod car. For example, you'll get much more heat transfer into the passenger compartment. Exhaust leaks are common too. And even if you connect the headers directly into a totally stock tailpipe and muffler system, you will experience a great deal more noise inside the car. The thin sheet metal of header walls simply transfers more heat, noise, and vibration than do cast iron exhaust manifolds. Moreover, underneath the car you will likely have less ground clearance, since the collectors are often underneath the engine. Consequently, potholes and curbs will soon add crushing dents to your exhaust system, which can cause cracks, restrictions, and/or leaks. Gaining access to your spark plugs, starter, oil filters, etc, etc, for repairs can also be a total PAIN with headers in the way. Also, most headers are thin, mild steel pipe...which rusts through sooner than you expected. Finally, header bolts are famous for backing out under vibration, leading to leaks, etc. 

 

Unless more power is your goal, and unless you're willing to suffer the side effects to achieve that power, DROP the idea of headers. 

 

Just my opinion...ask me how I know! 

[Sensei Wayne]

Lump,

 

I dropped the idea as soon as I heard from Joe. I used his idea to look on Ebay, and I quickly found a manifold for the left side. I have seen one for the right side, but it did not have a buy it now button. I am always open to advice and information! I am new to this hobby, and I appreciate being able to avoid some of the pitfalls that you guys describe. Although I have worked on engines and brakes before, I am quite far from being called a mechanic. I'll hopefully learn as I go!