Headers

Neo1874 · January 19th, 2005, 09:05 PM

Im currently rebuilding the 350 out of a 1970 Cutlass S. During the ordering phase of my quest, I was doing research on headers (trying to find the best set) and my dreams of a high performance 350 Cutlass beagn to fade away. Apparently no header manufacturer (hooker, headman, dynomax...) makes headers that will fit a Cutlass S. Can anyone verify this?? or is it a liability issue with the manufacturer? If it is true what is the difference between the frame of a Cutlass S, Supreme, 442 etc... Also if anyone has installed headers on a Cutlass S do you have any hints? Thanks for your help!

Oldsguy · January 20th, 2005, 05:45 AM

This has been raised before in various forums and Oldsmobile enthusiast websites. The answer is "there is no difference in the chassis between a Cutlass S and a 442 that would preclude you from using the same headers". It is a marketing decision on the part of manufacturers, what gets a bigger bite? Advertising a performance part for a 442. Even though that same part will fit other models of the same year for that chassis/body style. If you want more info on this answer go to Realoldspower.com and do a search for "headers" you will get a lot of hits but it is in there, I have read numerous posts asking exactly the same question you have. Good luck on your build.

edit: I just did a search over on ROP and found this, one of many examples;

http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...hlight=headers

I also amend my post with this caveat, you MIGHT need to get a transmission crossmember with two humps in it for dual exhasts if your car has only one hump and originally came with single exhaust only. I think that some models were like that. You will need that crossmember anyway regardless of what headers you end up with so the exhaust pipes will fit well under the car.

[ January 20, 2005: Message edited by: Oldsguy ]</p>

Neo1874 · January 20th, 2005, 12:06 PM

I appreciate your help with this issue Oldsguy. I was leaning on the side of what you said but I wanted to be sure before I dropped $400 or more on a set of headers. Again, thanks for your help. Hope I can return the favor someday

73oldsman · December 30th, 2005, 06:42 PM

The header folks are real proud of their Olds headers. They must all think we have gobs of money. I couldn't find a set of headers for my car and finally got ahold of someone at Hooker and they told me their Cutlass headers would work on my Omega. I haven't ordered them yet. I want the ceramic coated ones, but I'm not sure if they'll go in without modifications. I may get a set of regular ones, test fit them, and send them off for jet hot coating. Someday...

Oldsguy · January 3rd, 2006, 10:16 AM

That's a good idea. Also, does your Omega have the sbo or bbo? Let us know what you turn up.

73oldsman · January 3rd, 2006, 03:35 PM

It has the 350R motor in it, the original one!
http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18528
http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18524

January 20th, 2005, 05:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,315	This has been raised before in various forums and Oldsmobile enthusiast websites. The answer is "there is no difference in the chassis between a Cutlass S and a 442 that would preclude you from using the same headers". It is a marketing decision on the part of manufacturers, what gets a bigger bite? Advertising a performance part for a 442. Even though that same part will fit other models of the same year for that chassis/body style. If you want more info on this answer go to Realoldspower.com and do a search for "headers" you will get a lot of hits but it is in there, I have read numerous posts asking exactly the same question you have. Good luck on your build. edit: I just did a search over on ROP and found this, one of many examples; http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...hlight=headers I also amend my post with this caveat, you MIGHT need to get a transmission crossmember with two humps in it for dual exhasts if your car has only one hump and originally came with single exhaust only. I think that some models were like that. You will need that crossmember anyway regardless of what headers you end up with so the exhaust pipes will fit well under the car. [ January 20, 2005: Message edited by: Oldsguy ]</p> __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

January 3rd, 2006, 10:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,315	That's a good idea. Also, does your Omega have the sbo or bbo? Let us know what you turn up. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

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January 19th, 2005, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Neo1874 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: WF, TX Posts: 6	Im currently rebuilding the 350 out of a 1970 Cutlass S. During the ordering phase of my quest, I was doing research on headers (trying to find the best set) and my dreams of a high performance 350 Cutlass beagn to fade away. Apparently no header manufacturer (hooker, headman, dynomax...) makes headers that will fit a Cutlass S. Can anyone verify this?? or is it a liability issue with the manufacturer? If it is true what is the difference between the frame of a Cutlass S, Supreme, 442 etc... Also if anyone has installed headers on a Cutlass S do you have any hints? Thanks for your help!

January 20th, 2005, 12:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Neo1874 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: WF, TX Posts: 6	I appreciate your help with this issue Oldsguy. I was leaning on the side of what you said but I wanted to be sure before I dropped $400 or more on a set of headers. Again, thanks for your help. Hope I can return the favor someday

December 30th, 2005, 06:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
73oldsman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 10	The header folks are real proud of their Olds headers. They must all think we have gobs of money. I couldn't find a set of headers for my car and finally got ahold of someone at Hooker and they told me their Cutlass headers would work on my Omega. I haven't ordered them yet. I want the ceramic coated ones, but I'm not sure if they'll go in without modifications. I may get a set of regular ones, test fit them, and send them off for jet hot coating. Someday...

January 3rd, 2006, 03:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
73oldsman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 10	It has the 350R motor in it, the original one! http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18528 http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18524