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JBA 1650 header question

68EFIvert

68EFIvert

Well-Known Member
I think I am going to switch to shorty headers while the car is still down. I have the opportunity to pick up a set of 1650js (silver ceramic coated) for a good price. The thing I don't like about my current headman headers is how low they hang (problem solved with JBA) and the fact that the #5 cylinder rear bolt is a pain in the arse to put on. Is it easier to put the bolts with JBA headers?

The headmans don't have enough space to go straight in so I battle it every time I remove the exhaust. The big thing I am looking for is ground clearance.
 
I doubt its any easier, the JBA's are a PIA as well.... They are nice headers though. Very thick flanges and gobs of ground clearance.
 
Rick, didn't you get your headers from the guy over on VMF? I contacted him again and he will sell me a set for $385 shipped but doesn't take paypal, just money orders. Makes me a little nervous. He was able to provide pictures but still a little shy.
 
Yes, the second set was from a guy on VMF. I want to say he was from Oklahoma. He bought multiple sets from the Unique auctions, I bid on them, but backed out after about $1500 (for like 7-10 sets). I bought the first set I had from Dallas Mustang, but they were Nickel and not ceramic coated, and were to blingy for me so I bought the ceramic coated ones from the guy on VMF.
 
Who is the guy selling them? I'm looking at those for my 65 and $385 Shipped sounds nice!
 
"68EFIvert" said:
I think I am going to switch to shorty headers while the car is still down. I have the opportunity to pick up a set of 1650js (silver ceramic coated) for a good price. The thing I don't like about my current headman headers is how low they hang (problem solved with JBA) and the fact that the #5 cylinder rear bolt is a pain in the arse to put on. Is it easier to put the bolts with JBA headers?

The headmans don't have enough space to go straight in so I battle it every time I remove the exhaust. The big thing I am looking for is ground clearance.
Click to expand...

Yep, I replaced my Hedman's with JBA's 16 years ago and have never looked back. The JBA's really hold up. I have had them on and off the engine at least a half a dozen times and really don't recall any unmanagable issues. I may have pushed the bolt through the flange before setting it in place and I use 12 points, so the tightening may have involved a lot of micro torques.

Tim
 
Thanks for the info Darreld. I ended up buying the last set he had. Impressive headers. Tight fit for the 65-66 though.
 
I am glad he still had a set. I just hope you can get them to fit to your satisfaction. I'll be going through some similar things this fall when I put mine on. I'll have to move my engine back and maybe move one of the tubes to clear my rack and pinion steering shaft. I am crossing my fingers I won't have to move the tube.
 
I have a Steeroids rack but I have Ron Morris Lowering motor mounts so that I did not have to cut the trans tunnel when I put in the T56 6 speed trans. It may be fine but I am not holding my breath. I hope moving the engine back will give me the clearance I need but then I will have to fabricate another tranny crossmember or buy the one from Ron Morris and be done with it.
 
I finally have the JBA 1650 headers on my car. The fit is very close with the lowering motor mounts. The headers BARELY touched the steering shaft so I took another path to solve the problem than the traditional BFH. I did not need much more clearance so I decided to have my steering shaft turned down on a lathe. It started out as 3/4" and I took it down to about 9/16". I have just enough clearance for engine movement, I think. It is still close but should not be a problem with my poly engine mounts. The next thing I would try is to push the motor toward the passenger side a tad. I really did not want to do that because of clearance problems that will cause with my blower inlet tubing. That is real to the shock tower.

I am now ready to have the exhaust hooked up. That will be a few weeks down the road since I am doing a couple other projects on the car now. I am having a little bit of polished aluminum chrome plated. I get tired of polishing the blower inlet tube, as well as the Monte Carlo bar and export brace swedge rods.
 
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