headers

[seid71]

i need help finding the right headers for my 71 cutlass supreme conv with a 350. most websites say that they will not fit because of the off set. i also need the right length about a foot back from the cross member so i can have a new exhaut system installed. any help would be appreciated

aloha geoff

[joe_padavano]

After three decades of collecting and restoring Olds 442s, I can assure you there is absolutely NO OFFSET in the engines on Supremes or Convertibles. I have personally measured the engine location on a 71 Supreme convert and it is exactly centered. The motor and frame mounts are the same for the Cutlass, 442, Supreme, and Supreme convert. I've contacted Hooker Headers about this and they blew me off with a form letter email response. Suffice to say that all you need to do is get headers for a Cutlass/442 of your year and engine config and they'll fit fine.

If this is your first header installation on an Olds, there are a couple of things to be aware of. First, ALL header manufacturers seem to have a problem with fabricating headers that fit consistently. Expect to have minor fit problems. Second, you will need to relocate the brake distribution block on the driver's side frame rail. Third, you will need to remove the backdrive linkage that locks the shifter when you remove the key. You cannot use this linkage with headers. If you have a column shift, you cannot install headers unless you change to a floor shift or convert to a cable linkage for the column shifter. Lokar is one vendor that sells a cable shift conversion for column shifters.

[rocketraider]

Hmm- thought that Supreme header myth had been long disproved by now. Apparently some mfgs still believe it.

[Guest Dave Wyatt]

I use the back drive linkage on my 4 speed 4-4-2. I'm on my second set of headers too. IIRC, (it's been a long time) I just moved the rod to the other side of the arm near the collector.

[joe_padavano]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use the back drive linkage on my 4 speed 4-4-2. I'm on my second set of headers too. IIRC, (it's been a long time) I just moved the rod to the other side of the arm near the collector. </div></div>

Really? Cool. I'd like to see a picture sometime. I've just always yanked the linkage and not bothered with it.

[REO_Driver]

Hi,

Let me start out by saying I am not here to sell! i have been a member for a while & have owned quite a few Oldsmobile's.

Hedman still makes Olds headers that may work for you. We do have a 1972 Supreme coming in for a test fit.

We make long & short tube headers to fit most 1968-up Cutlass's. I hear that Hookers quality has gone down since they have moved down to Mexico.

Neil Matranga

New Products Manager

Hedman Hedders, Trans Dapt & Hamburger's Performance

12438 Putnam St

Whittier, Ca 90602

Phone : (562)-921-0404 ext 220

Fax : (562)-693-0622

E-mail : neilm@hedman.com

[seid71]

i want to thank you for your help. the info is very helpful the only question is with the brake distribution block, where do you relocated it to and how involved is that.

again thanks

aloha geoff

[Guest Dave Wyatt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use the back drive linkage on my 4 speed 4-4-2. I'm on my second set of headers too. IIRC, (it's been a long time) I just moved the rod to the other side of the arm near the collector. </div></div>

Really? Cool. I'd like to see a picture sometime. I've just always yanked the linkage and not bothered with it. </div></div>

I'll try to get a picture this week end and post it here.

[Guest Dave Wyatt]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi,

Let me start out by saying I am not here to sell! i have been a member for a while & have owned quite a few Oldsmobile's.

Hedman still makes Olds headers that may work for you. We do have a 1972 Supreme coming in for a test fit.

We make long & short tube headers to fit most 1968-up Cutlass's. I hear that Hookers quality has gone down since they have moved down to Mexico.

Neil Matranga

New Products Manager

Hedman Hedders, Trans Dapt & Hamburger's Performance

12438 Putnam St

Whittier, Ca 90602

Phone : (562)-921-0404 ext 220

Fax : (562)-693-0622

E-mail : neilm@hedman.com </div></div>

Thanks for checking out the fit on a Supreme. You will need to report your findings, but I suspect most of us already know what those will be. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> There is no difference!

[joe_padavano]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i want to thank you for your help. the info is very helpful the only question is with the brake distribution block, where do you relocated it to and how involved is that.

again thanks

aloha geoff </div></div>

If the car is an automatic, I've had success with unbolting the block and the nearby line clamps and rebending the lines to allow the block to be bolted to the top of the frame using the pre-drilled holes that would secure the clutch Z-bar linkage bracket on an MT car. I've been able to do this without disconnecting the brake lines. It isn't pretty, but it works. If you care about how the installation will look, expect to disconnect the brake lines and bend up new ones.

[dmurf]

I have a set of hooker super competition headers on my 71 cutlass supreme convertible, fit with no problems, aside from the backdrive linkage and the dist block, went right in. and yes, the ad said "will not fit cutlass supreme"- due to engine location"- haha what a bunch of bull...

[Guest Dave Wyatt]

Here is a picture of the linkage next to the headers. The car is on the trailer, so I didn't jack it up or put it in any gear other than reverse. It's been so long now, I don't remember if I moved the rod to the other side from where it was originaly or not. Also You can see a bend in the link going from the transmission to the frame. I don't remember if it was that way or I did it. When the transmission is out of reverse, the link to the column lays next to the headers. As I have said before, this is the second set of headers on the car and I used this linkage both times.

[4speedcutlass]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use the back drive linkage on my 4 speed 4-4-2. I'm on my second set of headers too. IIRC, (it's been a long time) I just moved the rod to the other side of the arm near the collector. </div></div>

What brand of headers did you use? Do you have a big or small block in your car? Thanks

[Guest Dave Wyatt]

The first set of headers were Casler and the second were Dynomax. The Dynomax headers looked just like the Casler's, but the tubing had longer dimensions here and there, which created some problems fitting the car. Still, no real problems with the linkage as you can see in the picture.

455 only for this car.