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BlackJack Headers???

Old Nov 2, 2001 | 06:56 PM
  #1  
FAST RS's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,937
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From: Moorpark
Car: 1991 CAMARO 1968 FIREBIRD
Engine: CAMARO 3.1L FIREBIRD 455
Transmission: CAMARO 700R4 FIREBIRD TH-400
BlackJack Headers???

I know this is non 3rd gen but i have a 68 firebird im restoring and i wana put headers on and ive herd of BlackJack headers they seem nicely priced but i was wonderin if these are good quality. The engine in the car is a 350. Also what size exhause should i have i was thinking 3 inch exhaust is that too big?
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Old Nov 2, 2001 | 07:26 PM
  #2  
Chris GTA's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Tulsa
My experience with blackjack was not good. It didn't matter how good the gaskets or how many times we torqued, they always leaked. With Hooker, I never had to fix a leak. Felpro steel core gaskets never let me down. I would probably go with 2.5". Good luck Chris
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Old Nov 3, 2001 | 09:23 AM
  #3  
F-BIRD'88's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,111
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From: Ontario, Canada
Car: 1988 Firebird S/E
Engine: 406Ci Vortec SBC
Transmission: TH-350/3500stall
Axle/Gears: 7.5" Auburn 4.10 Posi-Traction
If your Black Jack header (or any other header) seems to have a less that perfect flange or collector sealing bead, it can be trued up with bodyman's metal file and a DA
Sander before you install them. Always use quality header gaskets like MR.Gasket.
Retorque the header bolts a few time after
the motor cools overnight the first couple times. If after this the motor blows header
gaskets , check the AIR/Fuel RATIO.
Most leaky exhaust gaskets are caused by
over rich or over lean mixtures which both
cause the exhaust to be too hot! Back pressure has nothing to do with it.

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Old Nov 8, 2001 | 10:46 AM
  #4  
RICH92RS350's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,266
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From: Tallahassee, FL. USA
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 Crate Motor
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73
I used to have Blackjacks on my '68 Camaro in high school.They're inexpensive, but not very well made.
Embossed Copper Gaskets are the fix for thin header flanges.They're about $45 a set, but they'll seal if the flange is reasonably flat and like F-BIRD'88 says you'll need to re-torque the bolts a few times (at least).
If you have access to a sandblaster, get rid of that flat black flaky paint that comes on those headers.It'll cook off pretty quick.
If they're cleaned up well and sprayed with some 1300 degree VHT paint,they'll look ok,though you may have to touch 'em up now and then.
The biggest problem I had with mine, were due to the lack of clearance around the spark plugs.Plug wires were getting fried often and I needed to modify a box-wrench to get to a couple of the plugs.
True Dual 3" exhaust is pretty loud.Flowmaster makes a couple of nice 2-1/2"
systems for early f-bodies.
http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/fmtest/DOCS/SET.html
-Rich-
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