Ok well last year I wanted to do a full exhust. So I looked around, read some post and called some companys. After a few hours of this I came to the conculsion, "hedman seems to make a pretty good header, no real problems I can find." WELLL that isnt far from the truth. I have had no problem with them functionally. the problems come when you try to do something else to the car. Case 1: Back in March I had to put in a new starter. Now I have put in starters before in my friends Bird, and my buddies Camaro (with SLP headers) and the thing unbolted and dropped out nice n simple. In mine....no. I had to drop the Y pipe to get the stupid thing out and in. No big deal really except...to get a good seal I had to get a jack under there to lift the pipe. I know this doesnt sound too bad, but it is just frustrating cuz it turned out to be a long job, where in the other 2 cars it was a snap. Case 2: My car started to run like CRAP 3 days ago. Figured it had to be either wires, plugs or o2 sensor. Sooo I went down the list. No cracks or bad wires, O2 sensor was alittle shot, so I blew the 30 bucks and got me a new one. Still runnin like Poo. Soo only other thing is the plugs. WELLLL. To start off the damn headers are so poorly designed, that the number 8 plug cant get a socket on it. No matter whut angle you come from, you cant get a damn one on it. So as I was trying to get it out I snapped it. At first I was like GREAT it comes out with a regular 5/8 socket sweet. But as I was about to put in the new plug. I thought " Oh $hit Pork. What are you going to tighten down this bastard with?" So I struggled and stuggled and struggled some more. tried plyers, tried it all. Cant get anything on it. only my fingers but that is really no help cuz the header pipes are so close you cant get any real grip. Also with the starter motor there it makes it hard. So I tried and tried and tried after 2 hours about on 1 plug I gave up for the night. So now I have to drop the Y pipe, drop the starter prolly just to get enough finger on it to tighten it in. Sooo add Case1 to case2 and you get one pissed off person who is about to rip out their hair. So if anyone is thinking of headers, DONT GET HEDMAN, DONT. No way around it, they suck. They work great no problem there, but they dont work around other problems that might happen. By the way if anyone know any tricks to gettin this plug in let me know. I tried a regular wrench and a set of plyers but the way the heads are made from GM they are recessed, so once the plug gets in there a few twists you cant get to it with anything else.


Sleepless in NJ,
Pork

 

You forgot to mention the warped flanges...or havn't you gotten to that yet
But hey it could be worse. Try changing plugs on a set of Edelcraps sometime.

 

Sorry and thanks PapaPork.
"Sorry" to here about the problems.
"Thanks" because I had a set of new giveHedman's, I had to sell them (needed money), lately I felt I wish I hadn't now. Now that the money pinch is over (new job) I was looking again. You've just made my decision to go with the SLP's.

You could sell'em.....Ebay's a good place to catch a sucker...
Thanks for this post. Your sacrifice will be repaid in another life.

 

Many places (Sears included) manufacture a spark plug socket. These sockets have a few flat spots on the outside that enable you to put a open end wrench over it. Try this way, 'cause pliers aren't gonna do it.

 

Yup I have the spark plug socket. I cant get it on cuz there is no room between the header and the plug to slip it on. If i put the plug in the socket then put it in, it will go in.........But, then I have no way to get the socket off of the plug. It is a bloood mess...absolutly a bloody mess.

 

It looks like I will be spending the evening in PopaPork's driveway. Sounds like fun.

Z

 

Eastwood sells a telescoping sparkplug socket that just might be what you need.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/cgi-bin/sg...0242396&FNM=20

just do a search on their site for sparkplug socket.

 

I have a tight fit on #7. I shortened the plug socket the maximum amount that would still allow it to grip the plug. Then I cut a U shaped groove in the side of the socket that allows you to slip it in at an angle over the plug. It looks like the groove in an oxygen sensor socket, but doesn't have to be that deep. Then of course you use an open end wrench on the flats of the socket.

 

Dude...in the amount of time you spent fighting with the darn thing, you could have loosened the 6 bolts that hold the header on, pull it away from the block, and get the plug in.
Is that possible?

 

I use a bent 5/8" box wrench that's cut off about 3" long.
Works great as long as the motor's cool (your knuckles are right against the head).
I learned to make my own custom header spark plug wrenches when I was in high school (with a '68 Camaro). Headers always complicate things.
-Rich-

 

Are shorter plugs a viable option?

Steve

 

Yeah I agree with Steve, shorter plugs, I got a set of Hookers, their about the same well by the looks anyway, I got a set of shorter plugs and that made the difference.

 

This may or may not work in your situation, but to change one of the plugs in my Blazer (Hooker Super Comps)I have to use a Snap On 5/8" Crows Foot. It is like a Box End, with the slot cut in it. If you cant find it in the cataloge I can dig up the number for you,

 

Snapon 12 point crow's foot, careful, they spread easily when applying high torque.

 

I agree, I have Hedmans and have had the same problems. I think you would get similar problems with any headers though- it's like doing a deal with the devil. Gain performance and loose practicality.

I have done as some of the others said and spent 15 mins modifying a socket. I shortened it and cut out a window as was recommended to me and it works a treat. Invest a small amount of time now and reap in the rewards every time you change the plugs

The headers work great though!

 

Thanks for all the help guys. Last night I cut a socket in half then I flatten the sides so I could put a wrench on it. I was then able to put it on the plug and get it in there. Just for giggles I backed it out and put it in from the start. Thanks for the help again guys.

 

Since we're on the topic, and I don't feel like hunting down another thread......Anyone had similar or worse probs with SLP or Hooker?? I am in the market for Headers and I know I'm getting one or the other, but one is more expensive than the other also. I will go with SLP and spend more money if it saves me the headaches!

 

They are all the same. Headers just are a pain in the a$$ when it somes to plug changes.
If you want simple, then stick with the manifolds. If you want more power and are willing to spend extra time on routine maintenance, then get headers.
I have had both Hedmans and now SLP's on my car. I haven't noticed any difference.

 

I got the headman 1 5/8 headers this spring and it definatly was a pain in the crack to install.
as far as removing starters, I don't what kinda headmens you got, but on mine the collector comes right up against the starter, so I had to wrap the header in header tape so it wouldn't burn the starter out. However starter removal is extremely easy, take the bolts out, slide forward and it's out. no removing of ypipe nessesary! 5min tops
for the #8 plug I cut landingsinto the end of a short 5/8 socket and use a wrench to tighten.
my old dynomax headers were worse for spark plugs though.
it was near impossible to position the plug let alone tighten it down with those. the starter was a PITA to remove with those.

With whatever headers i get I fully expect troubles and pains, thats just the nature of beast. Look at our engine bays, there ain't a lot of room in there.

I'menerally happy with my headmens so far.

 

papa, papa!! bring that spark plug socket down to Toms River!! im gettin headmans next summer and i would like to see what u did!.. but i am changing my plugs as of this weekend...i just wana make sure that i will be ready just in case... thanks man...

 

I just got Hoker Comp. Shortys put on. The man that put them on said he had to drop the engine from the mounts to put the right side header in, other than that he said it was easy. Now i can access my spark plugs to change'em myself, and I got pretty stage 8 locking bolts that I can just look at and say, wow you spent 50 bucks for them shiny things, now aren't you happy. But, I have a daily driver and I wouldn't have it any other way

 

Pappa thanks for lettin me see the socket... now.. all i need to do now is save up the cash money!... and get a job when i go up to college!

 

welcome to the world of performance mods...

 

All headers make it a pain to change plugs. Accept in a hemi where the plugs are accesable through the valve covers
I have hedmans ok my camaro and the plugs arnt that bad to change you just need the right tools. I usualy just take the headers off and give them a coat of high temp paint while im at it.

 

i have headman shorties on my t/a, to get to the #8, i normally jack the car up. i go under it and i have enough room to slid my hand up with a box wrench to get it off an on. it works. all headers are the same, soo either way, no matter which company, you are going to have a pain.