Does anyone have any recommendations on headers for 66 442?
stainless or ceramic coated?
Theres not much space and I don’t want to cut or modify a arms or frame and don’t want to flatten headers with a hammer lol
Thanks

 

I would only consider stainless steel, and prices have gone up considerably over the past few years. Nick Filippides at American Racing Headers is an Oldsmobile guy but those headers are expensive. I have a set for my 66 and I don't anticipate fitment issues, but I haven't installed them yet, Maybe others have some info, or do a search on this site to see other threads.

 

Buy the American Racing Headers and forget about them.

 

... and are destined to go even higher. If OP really wants stainless headers, don't put off buying them. They won't get cheaper.

 

Back in the 1970s and 80s I bought Headers by Ed. They were expensive and only mild steel, but well designed and made. Today I would definitely get ARH. Buy once, and move on to the next step.

 

Did you ever purchase and install a set of headers for your '66 442?
I have a '66 Cutlass with a 350 in it and currently rebuilding a 455. I am contemplating what I want to do for the exhaust. Would love to hear what you decided on and any install issues you may have ran into. Thank you.

 

Just installed a set of Stainless Headers on our 1965 442 (A Body). Engine has after market aluminum heads (SpeedMaster), etc. We purchased Doug's Headers Stainless Steel Headers D741-SS from Summit and they also have painted and/or ceramic coated options as well, tube size is 1-3/4". The only fitment problem we had was with the mounting holes to the cyliner head on the passenger side, the rear two holes had to be elongated approx. 1/8" to the rear of the engine, all else fit properly. Recommend the removal of the oil filter mount on passengers side and if you have a 4 speed by all means get the clutch Z bar through the header on the drivers side when placing them in. Headers were installed up from the bottom of the car. We also slotting out the back end of each exhaust gasket (rear mount hole) to ease the installation as well, etc.. Highly recommend these headers as there are few other options out there that are in stock, etc..

 

Thank you Mark01sam. I too am thinking about those aluminum SpeedMaster heads for my 455 build. I will check in to those headers you mentioned.

 

Update on the fit of Doug's Headers. We did remove brake lines prior to the install, etc. and are planning on re-routing them later to ensure they are not close to headers, etc. Also had to trim the passenger side upper arm, upper rear ear portion to ensure it did do not hit the header pipe when suspension is compressed.
Also notice the drivers side header is very close to the inside of the frame rail for one of the down tubes. All else fit very well.
Regards,
Mark