Putting b-body headers in an A-body

[Womanator]

  I've always put either Schumacher headers or tti's in my a-body's.Yesterday I started on the 74 scamp.I didn't want to spend $500 to $800 for the headers so I thought I would try the b-body headman headers into the scamp with a 383 auto.Thinking I would have to pull the engine out 5-7 times is why I never tried this before.
 
  So I mocked up a 383 with a set of heads and a 727,loosely attached the motor mounts,pre dinged the headers,cut off the casting bits on the manuel steering box and only had to remove the engine twice for the drivers side header.side note I only had the drivers side header in while I was working on that side.

  Then I placed the passenger side header in the engine bay and the drivers side in and proceeded to lower the engine into the mounts.The only thing I had to do on the passenger side was clearance the header for tortion bar clearance.

  Pulled the mock up drivetrain and now the it's ready for the drivetrain thats going in the car.About 5-6 hrs into cutting the drivers side motor mount and fitting for the headers.Not bad saving $5-700 and using headers that have been sitting on the wall for 8 years.

  I've always said to use race car parts on race cars.
  I like my Schumachers on my Duster,easy install
  My tti's on the 67 Dart install is a "B" to install.
  If you are on a buget this is deffinately the way to go.Used headers $50,coating $200.
  tti's $800 coated,Schumachers $500+ $200 to coat.
  A couple of pictures.

Drivers side


Passenger side

[68_Val_Sedan]

are those 1 3/4" or 2" tubes ?  looks likea good fit to me ...

[Thin White Duke]

I've got TTI b body headers on my hemi barracuda.  Fits like a charm.

[Womanator]

Duke,I've bought 5 sets of tti headers they all fit fine they are just a b to install because they are so tight.I must admit I've never used the 383 headers from tti.I've used Schumachers to run into the 11.50's.My Hooker Super Comp's fit well on my 67 hemi charger.I'm sure tti's would fit fine also.

tony,the header gaskets won't be a problem if you use the ultra gaskets they seem thinner than others.After we had the motor mount bolts bolted up we installed the gaskets with no problems.Haven't addressed the starter yet but we will use a mini starter for the higher torque.We'll also install the starter when we are installing the engine.We also were tset fitting the engine with the transmision attached.

Val,they are 1 3/4 headers.

I wasn't trying to say tti's or Schumacher headers aren't great headers but not everyone can afforrd $7-800 headers and I was just supprised that this cheap allternitve was so easy to make work.Right out of the tech pages.I read them probably 5 years ago and just thought it would be to much trouble to do.Schumachers are $500 and another $200 to thermal coat in Oregon.

As i have stated before which is just my apinion build your car with your goal in mind and have fun doing it.

[DART VADER]

if you need to replace the starter what labor is involved, what about replacing the header gaskets?

I have the Schummachers in my 69 Dart with a 440. I still kept the power steering. The only real problem was the dipstick. I used the mini starter and had no problems with that.

[Womanator]

Dart Vader,did you do the modification on the motor mount like the instructions?on my 74 Duster I had no problems.If you do the quick and easy fix is to use the braided dip stick tube tha t Schumacher sales.I think it's $55.Power steering would not be possible with the b-body headers.

[moparn1]

Thank you for posting this I have been really curious about the instal. I am tired of my fenderwell headers and lack of ground clearance with exhaust. It really makes is a b!t#$ to drive on the street. In your guys' opinions in a mild 383 application do you think I am going to notice much of a performance loss going from 2" hooker s/c to an 1 3/4 header?

[Womanator]

moparn1, if anything you should pick up some lowend torque.

[Womanator]

tti's are just more time consuming to install.We are just now putting the GT back together after the cam went bad.Everything is tight going back together

[fasttcars]

I've got TTI b body headers on my hemi barracuda.  Fits like a charm.

one nice thing tho about fiting a hemi in a a-body is because of how low and angled the exhaust ports are headers are much easier to fit in...compared to any other full length header on the wedge with it's exhaust ports shooting straight at the inner femderwells...mucho fun

[That One Guy]

I've always heard that B-Body headers will work with a 383 but not a 440......is that true

[Womanator]

JohnDirt,after fitting the B-body headers in the Scamp I would say that the drivers side headers would not be able to be modified to fit a 440.But you could always use a low deck and stoke it to 500 ci or more.

[That One Guy]

I'll stick with the 440 for now, I think the smallest base I'll go with is the 426, and if I've got enough to build one of those, I'll be able to afford the TTi's or others like that

[Womanator]

fasttcars,I've been toying with the idea of doing the Hemi in an a-body but not sure if I want the agany(sp)of the swap.I would like to do some swapping for a set of Stage-V Hemi conversion heads or complete set-up.

[DART VADER]

Dart Vader,did you  do the modifcation on the motor mount like the instructions?on my 74 Duster I had no problems.If you do the quick and easy fix is to use the braided did stick tube tha t Schumacher sales.I think it's $55.Powe steering would not be possible with the b-body headers.

No mods on the motor mount that I'm aware of. As for the dipstick, I wish I would've known about the braided one. I just cut a stock one in half and hoseclamped heavy tubing to conect it together. It works fine.

DV

[GTS Cowboy]

  Thanks Womanator great info

[Womanator]

Dart Vader,on 73 and up k-frame you have to drill a 9/16th hole 1" down from where the old motor mount bolt would rest on the drivers side and trimaway the excess material around the motor mount.A little more trimming fo the did stick tube and oil filter clearance.I wouldn't let this deture me from doing the swap.We use a 4" grinder.

[moparhunter]

bump

[Womanator]

Decided to install the 383 in the scamp with the 727 trans and a 3000 convertor.Now I just have to decide on the cam.the car will have 3.91 gears.going to be just a street car this time out.I got a 305 comp cam that has been sitting in the shelf for about 16 years mabe it's time for it to be used.


mocking up 383 and trans

[abqdart]

I did that header install a few years back. I heard from Bill that they should fit. I sent him the pic's they are in the tech pages, would be good to add on to it with your pics. It was pretty easy and I didnt have many issues either. Glad its working for ya! Alot of guy's are afraid to try it......good luck and looks good.

[Womanator]

The install would be easy for a first timer doing a big block swap.I think I only had to swing the engine in and out 5 times.

[DART VADER]

Dart Vader,on 73 and up k-frame you have to drill a 9/16th hole 1" down from where the old motor mount bolt would rest on the drivers side and trimaway the excess material around the motor mount.A little more trimming fo the did stick tube and oil filter clearance.I wouldn't let this deture me from doing the swap.We use a 4" grinder.

I believe I have the older bigblock k-frame. I don't see any mods like that.

[Womanator]

Dart Vader,the mods needed are on a spool mount 73 and up k-frame.Heres a picture of the drivers side ,we haven't cleaned it up yet and I'll get a better pic later today.

This pics not as close to the mounting ears on the block as it looks

[268darts]

Anybody tried this with a 4 speed?

[abqdart]

I would think that if you have a Z-bar, they may not work. It would be worth a shot though!