When I got my first set of heads put on, I was looking at the inside of the shorty headers. I noticed there is a raised hump right inside the mounting flange that doesn't seem to do anything except get in the way. It also appears it could be ground off. Has anyone done this and if so did it make any difference? There are a few sets that occasionally come up for sale and I am considering grabbing one and cleaning them up as described. I think they are a bi#%h to get out with the heads/motor installed though and wonder if it would be worth it. Right here: Notice the black exhaust valve on my stock heads...this was at 4k miles...I wonder what was going on here? The intake gasket near this particular cylinder was popped out a little.
My installer Luke does this all the time to stock shortys...shaves/polishes the bead off to maximize flow with favorable results. I don't know how well it works but many people who come to him for installs don't get the long-tubes so they opt for this instead. If the heads aren't already off, I wouldn't bother.
That hump is the weld between the flange, pipe, and casing. We cleaned mine up when we did my heads/cam swap, but be careful not to take too much off or you'll weaken the weld.
Hmm. I think I will look for a set and work them over as I have time. I don't forsee another head-off in the near future but I guess if I do I'll be ready. I don't even think you can get one side off with the head on as I remember... Thanks!
Jon I would maybe be concerned with that blacken valve....looks like that cylinder might have a problem....lot of difference from the other 3...
Ya. See the comment below my pic in the original post. Those were my stocker cores...4k miles. We got to looking and found the intake gasket on the cylinder had been smashed and was not sealing. How that causes a black exhaust valve or if it was related I don't know.
Makes you wonder what would have happened to that cyl if you had never disassembled the engine and driven the car past the 36,000 mile warranty?..
I did this to my stock shorties and i can say that by doing it I would assume you would gain at least 1/2 the HP compared to a longtube setup (if not more) The stock welds were VERY restrictive and I think they were done like that on purpose. You can grind them down all the way on the inside as that is what I did. That will not weaken them enough to have to worry about anything, most headers have a few tack welds holding them to the plate. The shorties are way beyond overkill...
Well I think it may help. Here's a couple ok pictures. But of course.................before And after.
That is exactly what I am looking for Cam. I packed a stupid manifold around with me for a while, then put it back on the new head because I couldn't find the right tool to grind with and it was way too late when we did the head swap. I think I'll look for a set. (well, my wife suffices, but not for the headers anyway)
What? For my wife's set? I don't think she would go for a die grinder to the set. I couldn't find ANYTHING available when we did my heads.
lol she might not, but the headers could definitely benefit from one... What kind of setup are you running? Too bad you just didnt go buy a die grinder when you did your heads it is sooooooo much easier then....
Well Jon just left the shop with the new 426 stroker. We used his stock headers and put the PPP high-flow cat on the car. He was doing burnouts on the interstate at 55mph last time I talked to him. I will also say that he is making a ton of tq with this new cam that we put in his engine to the tune of 470rwtq@3800rpm. lol.
wow why didnt I do this when I took the heads of either of the times!!! God I miss my long tubes Its not fair F*CKIN CA.
