My '69 Camaro has a set of poor fitting headers that were on it when I bought it. The drivers side header actually sits right on the steering box and they are too low, hanging under the car. (Ain't people a piece of work?) They are headed for the dumpster! Anyway, I was looking for advice from fellow forum viewers who have actually installed headers on first gen. Camaro's.

Which ones fit best without modifications? I have had good luck with Hookers Headers on second generation Nova's but have no Camaro experience. I know these cars are very similar but hoped to get first hand advice from all of you.

Thanks in advance to all.

It depends on your budget,I would contact Lemons they have the best fitting headers for sure. The PH.#is 805-239-8998. They are great to deal with and if you are keeping your car its worth it. They will also advise you as to what is best for you application. Good luck

small block or big block?

Jody

Don't be so hard on folks that end up with headers that don't fit properly or the manufactures that sell them when it comes to 1st gen Camaros. There are too many engine frame mounts and motor mount combinations that move the engine as much as 2 inches front to back and even tilt it to the passanger side. The headers on your car might have fit perfect on the manufactures test car but not your car... Also a lot of headers that hang too low like Hooker Super Comps are really great at the track but not very practicle on the street. Anyway guys buy what is "hot" and what they are told will fit and live with the results.

That said here's some small block recomendations,

Tri-Y headers from Dougs, Thorleys or now maybe it's Doug Thorleys again like the old days are full length and tuck up under the frame rails. The cars I have seen them on are sticks and the steering box was close.

Same brand as a above 3/4 length (not complete shorties) work well on automatics but mine hit the corner of the steering box and I had to dimple the tube to clearence. I have about 1/16th inch of clearence and you can almost not tell I dented the tube.

Again both these headers fit are subject to which mounts you have and where the engine sits...

You really need to verify if you have the CORRECT frame and rubber mounts to be better assured like Dennis said for good header fitment!

And poly mounts are probably like a 1/4" taller b/c of the back-up plates that you have to run between them and the block!!

pdq67

Jody: The car is a 350 SBC

This car is very original except for the bad fitting headers and an aftermarket air cleaner.

pdq67: the motor mounts appear to be stock units and I am resonably sure the car has the correct "frame"..... Not sure what you meant by that.

I guess I should have chanegd my orignal statement to: I was looking for advice from fellow forum viewers who have actually installed headers on "stock" first generation "small block" Camaro's.

I guess I should have chanegd my orignal statement to: I was looking for advice from fellow forum viewers who have actually installed headers on "stock" first generation "small block" Camaro's.

So what makes you think the folks replying haven't? It sound like your understanding of the 1st gen is limited. Everything I said relates to stock 1st gen camaros. There were 6 different motor mounts and 5 different frame mounts or towers (what pdq was refering to.) If you had a 327 or 307 in your car it was a different combo than a 302 and 350... Just like AC or a stick makes a difference so does the mount towers and motor mounts.

You may indeed have an all orig car but chances are over the past 40 years if it got headers and an air cleaner a lot of other stuff has been changed. Even the engine could be orig but the sub frame replaced under it. I gave you first hand examples that have worked on stock as well as modified cars...

Whoa their big fella. No need to be on the offensive. I appreciate the advice.

You are right I am not experienced at first geneartion Camaro's, that is why I asked the question. I have experience however with 1968 thru 1977 Nova's and the headers I purchased & installed were made for these cars, and fit without interference with any engine compartment components. I also know that many hack mechanics think all SBC headers fit all applications... as you know this just ain't so.

My second post was merely trying to clarify my original post.

So you are saying in 1969 the SBC had 6 different motor mounts and 5 different frame mounts or towers? What about the 350, were they all the same in 1969 for manual shift cars? Mine has the 3 speed Muncie.

Sounds like choosing a good fitting header will be a crap shoot.

I only reacted to what you posted...

I have had good luck with Hedman's 1 3/4". I like the thorley's (or Dougs) but there is too much mismatch with my exhaust ports. Keep that in mind too. If your car's engine is stock, my choice would be Thorley (or Doug!) tri-y.

Go with the Thorley's! I have them on my 67 and they fit great!