66 with 383 needing headers

[jcg]

It may be time to replace my rusted and worn out headers. I have developed a leak inside the collector. So im not sure what my choices are yet. Just wanted some input on best fitting headers for a 66 coronet 383 with power steering. The old one look like they had to be clearanced a bit. Also, price is important too. I cant buy a 1,000 set of headers.

[theman440]

The best fitting headers are TTI Headers. Unfortunately they are expensive - around $600. If you have time you may be able to score some used or unwanted TTI's. I've seen 'em for sale on other Mopar sites. Some advise from somebody who's been through it personally - stay away form any header MFG who claims their headers will fit a 383 and 440.

[ws27]

Yes, Jeff is right, a header that fits a 440 will hang lower on a 383 because the deck height is lower.

[thebankerstoy]

As a long time owner of a 1966 Coronet 500 with a 1969 hp 440 big block, along with owning several other big block powered Mopars over the years, I hope that you won't mind me offering you another option other than a new set of headers.

Year One sells the complete kit shown below under their part number HP689S which includes all of the parts that you see in the picture for about the same price as a good set of headers will cost you and these reproduction hp cast iron manifolds will bolt directly onto your 383 in your 66 Coronet with no modifications needed other than to the exhaust piping from the exhaust manifolds to your mufflers and unless you have some aftermarket parts in place, it won't matter which factory options your Coronet may have, including factory power steering, factory power brakes and in most cases, factory a/c. My 66 Coronet has factory power steering, aftermarket power assisted front disc brakes and will have a/c as soon as I reinstall all of the underhood a/c parts that I removed for drag racing and my hp cast iron manifolds have no trouble living with all of these options. These hp manifolds will also last for many years without the issues that most any new set of headers outside of expensive custom made headers will most likely give you.

As far as how these style hp manifolds sound, with the custom 3" hp exhaust system that I run on my Coronet, folks will swear that I'm running headers until I show them otherwise and I've been known to rattle my neighbours windows on occasion.

Performance wise, my car has run some high 12 second quarter mile passes in California's cooler weather with a set of the original 1969 cast iron hp manifolds in place and many low 13 second quarter mile passes in the hot weather here in Phoenix. All of this done with a fairly stock and heavy, all steel car.

I don't know how your 383 is set-up performance wise, or how you use your car most of the time and I'm not trying to change your mind about running headers, but I did want to share another viable option that has worked very well for me on several cars over the years.

Richard

[theman440]

As a long time owner of a 1966 Coronet 500 with a 1969 hp 440 big block, along with owning several other big block powered Mopars over the years, I hope that you won't mind me offering you another option other than a new set of headers.

Year One sells the complete kit shown below under their part number HP689S which includes all of the parts that you see in the picture for about the same price as a good set of headers will cost you and these reproduction hp cast iron manifolds will bolt directly onto your 383 in your 66 Coronet with no modifications needed other than to the exhaust piping from the exhaust manifolds to your mufflers and unless you have some aftermarket parts in place, it won't matter which factory options your Coronet may have, including factory power steering, factory power brakes and in most cases, factory a/c. My 66 Coronet has factory power steering, aftermarket power assisted front disc brakes and will have a/c as soon as I reinstall all of the underhood a/c parts that I removed for drag racing and my hp cast iron manifolds have no trouble living with all of these options. These hp manifolds will also last for many years without the issues that most any new set of headers outside of expensive custom made headers will most likely give you.

As far as how these style hp manifolds sound, with the custom 3" hp exhaust system that I run on my Coronet, folks will swear that I'm running headers until I show them otherwise and I've been known to rattle my neighbours windows on occasion.

Performance wise, my car has run some high 12 second quarter mile passes in California's cooler weather with a set of the original 1969 cast iron hp manifolds in place and many low 13 second quarter mile passes in the hot weather here in Phoenix. All of this done with a fairly stock and heavy, all steel car.

I don't know how your 383 is set-up performance wise, or how you use your car most of the time and I'm not trying to change your mind about running headers, but I did want to share another viable option that has worked very well for me on several cars over the years.

Richard

Richard is right - I have HP manifolds on my mild 383 with a 3 inch exhaust system and it too sorta sounds like it has headers.

[67440Dodge]

For ease of installation, if you know what brand of headers those were, I'd get the same set. Once you pull your old headers off, you have a template of where it needs to be clearanced (and almost every set of headers needs to be clearanced in one way or another). Just bang away in the same spots and you could be back in business real quick.

Manifolds are a good idea also, but in addition to the $550 price tag, you'll have to take into account getting the car to a shop and having new pipes bent to connect them to your existing system.

[Copper67440]

I have Hooker Super Comps on my 67 383 with power steering and I had no fit an issues.