SevenNoOni

So before I start, I have read through all the posts involving a 68 to 72 cutlass header fitment.. Anyhow, I have a 71 cutlass S, I know the frame is not bent, brand new motor mounts, and the trans cross member is not incorrectly installed. With that being said I bought a set of Flowtech headers at summit they where on clearance was to good of a price to pass up at the time. However, they just don't fit.. the only thing they mount correctly to is the motor, from there down its one hit after another as well as the passenger side will need a bend at the flange, I'm guessing 10+ degrees to the right. I'm not going to do any of this.. SO my question is does anyone run hooker 3901s in their cutlass from 68 to 72 with a 350, and how easily did they go in? or if you have a better name brand that is similar in price range to the 3901's price tag that is fine let me hear it.
During my search through this forum i found a few people mention them and say they fit but didn't say if they needed a hammer to make them fit lol.

anyway thanks for reading!

bccan

Running those in the red car. Definitely needed a few dings here & there. Best I can remember one side was tight to the back of the xmbr and accordingly the brake line, think it was the left. Definitely on the left one tube was hitting the lower control arm bolt head & needed some space.

70cutty

I have the hookers in my car.
They fit fine, no need for dings or dents. No matter which full length header you choose you will have to lift the engine couple of inches and take off the oil filter housing.
Hookers are a best bang for the buck IMO.

SevenNoOni

See I dont mind a ding or two here n there..

@70cutty
yea i know, had to do the same for these to "Fit"..

so since you're both still running the hooker 3901s i assume you like them?? no hole rotting through or anything just yet?

SevenNoOni

btw nice cars the both of you lol forgot to mention that!

joe_padavano

Lesson-learned for today:

Crap on sale is still crap.

cdrod

I had heard the Hedmans don't fit well (or at all). Are the Hooker 3901's the best fit for our cars? I'll be building a small block street motor pretty soon and like the 1-5/8" primary tubes on the 3901's. Are there other options available?

70cutty

Yep, you get what you paid for.

I've had the ceramic coated hookers for about 8 years.
They still look great, no rust, ceramic coating looks almost like new.
I'm not sure which ones are you planning on buying but I would strongly suggest ceramic coated ones. They run cooler and look better.

Fun71

I have a set of Heddmans on my '71, and had a set on my '70 before that. Both fit well with needing only a small area of one tube flattened to clear the rear of the drivers side control arm. I didn't need to move the brake proportioning valve, they don't hang too low, they have never leaked, and there were no alignment issues.

I will state that the my Heddmans were purchased in the early '90s so I have no way to know if they are the same as current production parts.

jag1886

Ain't that the truth!