I have a 1969 Cutlass "S" convertible with 350/TH350 with column shifter. Bought a nice set of Flowtech ceramic coated 31150FLT headers. They do not seem to fit. They hit the motor mounts! Reading the fine print it says will fit Cutlass with 350 but not the Cutlass "S". Why would these be different? Any suggestions on what headers I should get? Hate I cannot use these brand new headers!

 

Welcome aboard.

The motor mounts for the Cutlass/Cutlass S / Cutlass Supreme are all the same. If it will fit Cutlass/f85, it will fit Cutlass S. This same nonsense about headers and engine location is also blogged on JEGs website, and is completely wrong.

 

They are NOT different, though this is the first time a header manufacturer has said they don't fit the "S". Usually the footnote says "don't fit Supreme" (which is also incorrect). Now when I go to Summit, the footnote says:

This is obviously wrong, since a 1969 car DOESN'T HAVE catalytic converters...

The Summit applications also show that these headers fit both 350 (small block Olds) and 400 (big block Olds), so again, the fitment information is completely wrong.

When I go to the actual Flowtech catalog, the only footnote is the one about catalytic converters. There is no mention of Cutlass S. Also, the Flowtech catalog confirms that these are SBO headers. In your case, check for sagging motor mounts that are causing the engine to sit too low. Also, be aware that header manufacturers are apparently incapable of making any two sets of headers exactly the same, so you will always have minor fitment problems like this.

 

It says here on attachment will not fit "S". My motor is still on the engine stand with new motor mounts. Holding headers up there they hit motor mounts on both sides. Not even close.

 

Well, as is the case with every header manufacturer, the "won't fit S, or Supreme, or convertible" footnotes are BS.

In fact, how about a little common sense. Your engine is on a stand, not in a car. How do the headers even KNOW if the car is an "S"? The block, motor mounts, etc, are EXACTLY the same whether you have a Cutlass, F-85, Vista Cruiser, Supreme, or Cutlass S for that year. Obviously, you have something wrong. It SOUNDS like you have mis-marked headers for a BBO.

 

At the risk of sounding offensive, the problem is that you bought cheap headers. Every pair of those I've ever had to put into someone's car, was a nightmare. They're just not a quality piece.

If you're going to go cheap, go with Hedman. You'll have a better chance of them fitting.

 

These were $300. There were a lot of $150 headers but I decided to spend more on a nice set. Didn't see many more available that we're more money. What do you consider a good set of headers and how much are they?

 

I bought a set of $1000. stainless headers and they hit the drivers side motor mount. I just shaved off a bit on the top rear edge, and they then fit.

 

A lot of the aftermarket material writeups show their obvious ignorance to the vintage car applications; likely because they've never turned a wrench on one in their life. The reference to Cutlass S is likely a reference to the Cutlass 'Supreme', and as Joe and I have mentioned before, it's total nonsense.

If you are trying to mock up the headers on an engine stand and they aren't close? You have the wrong headers, plain and simple. Send them back and get the right ones.

Have a look at the ones Shane got for his 350 (see his link). If you only paid 300 for a set of ceramic coated headers, you did get cheap ones. Most of the good CC ones are at least 600 to start.

 

I got sent big block headers the first time, and they hit the block on both sides by the motor mounts. Maybe post a pic so someone can tell ya if they're at least small block headers