header question

[StudNuts]

I just purchased a 77 j10 w/ a 360/th400/quadrajunk. The PO dropped in a 360 from a 77 cherokee, or at least thats what i was told. Im in the process of fixing up the PO's crap work and am trying to restore this to respectable status and am down to installing an exhaust. I searched around the forum here and it seems the hedmans are a good performance/budget header. But I cant find any info on them. Basically what I want is a long tube with a ball & socket(no 3 bolt colector) that will fit and not interfere with transfer case and driveshafts, etc. I hadnt taken the stock manifolds off yet so I dont know if the heads are the dogleg ports or not. I dont want to drop the coin on edels, so can anyone help me out? TIA

[Goose]

Well the hedmanns are ok headers. the flanges are kinda thin. I run em and with the knowledge that I will have to replace gaskets once in awhile. but as to the ball and socket joint I don't think they come that way..

[jeep_man_401]

There are better headers out there. The Headmans flanges are thin and the ports line up poorly. But The one I bought last year for my J10 had a ball and socket on it.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/jeep_man_401/DSC00821.jpg

I had to grind on them and have the ports rewelded to make a half a$$ seal.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/jeep_man_401/Headers.jpg

Use at your own risk. 8)

[AMX69PHATTY]

I did the same thing as Jeep_Man_401 did.
Ported the opening in the Headers to match the gasket
a lot to be removed in the dogleg area
chamfered it though so as not to break through the weld.
Added beads around the existing seal face beads
used a large hand file and worked the beads back flat
to end up with wider seal faces.
Probably many better ways to square off the seal beads
other than a large file, like Belt Sander, mill, etc, if available.