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Aftermarket headers for a 1969 Jeep CJ5 V6 with a Ross steering box

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Roberts1969CJ, Jan 10, 2015.

  1. Jan 10, 2015
    Roberts1969CJ

    Roberts1969CJ Member

    Germantown,...
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    Jan 5, 2015
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    I have finally rebuilt my engine and I am getting ready to put it back in. Since I have so many upgrades to my Jeep I would like to know if there is anyone who makes aftermarket headers for that year other than Novack. The Novack headers will not work with a Ross box according to tech support so I did some research and someone told me Advance Adapters makes inside the frame headers for my particular year and model. I called Advance and tech support said all they have that will fit is #1717020-HDK outside rail headers and he could not say for certain they would work with the Ross box. Just about everyone I have spoken with has told me I should put in a Saginaw box but when I started this project I sent my Ross out and had it completely rebuilt ant it cost me quite a bit. So if there is anyone out there who is very knowledgeable with the Buick V6 exhaust system, the required clearance for the Ross box so I might be able to put in true headers, you help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Jan 10, 2015
    Johns1967CJ5

    Johns1967CJ5 Sponsor

    Northern NJ
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    Dec 5, 2013
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    Would headers make that much of a difference over stock for it to be worth the hassle. ? I have been told and also read that your engine will run better with the stock manifolds
     
  3. Jan 10, 2015
    Roberts1969CJ

    Roberts1969CJ Member

    Germantown,...
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    Jan 5, 2015
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    Honestly I am so twisted around now with trying to get "better" performance that I think I am going a bit overboard! I think I am going to keep the stock manifolds get them cleaned up and either painted or a ceramic coating on them. I should of joined this site months ago, I could of saved a lot of time and money!
     
  4. Jan 10, 2015
    Johns1967CJ5

    Johns1967CJ5 Sponsor

    Northern NJ
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    Dec 5, 2013
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    I have the v6 also and the performance was just fine with the stock manifolds. Good luck
     
  5. Jan 10, 2015
    Roberts1969CJ

    Roberts1969CJ Member

    Germantown,...
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    Jan 5, 2015
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    Can I ask about upgrading to either disk brakes or 11" drums? This jeep has never been easy to stop or even slow down.
     
  6. Jan 10, 2015
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    I ran headman headers outside frame rail with ross box and side dump exhausts in front of rear wheels. Was not a huge fan of the noise or exhaust smell with windows down or top downthe headers finally cracked. I went back to manifolds and traditional single exhaust. No noticeable drop in performance and love the reduced smell and noise.
     
  7. Jan 10, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Oct 25, 2006
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    5,798
    do a search for disk brakes. Its easy and relatively cheap I have posted a parts list here somewhere a while ago. The most expensive parts are the mount plates for the calipers. I got them for 85 bucks a set brand new.
     
  8. Jan 10, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
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    Of course you can ask. You will probably get a response like "Do a search first" This subject has been covered many, many times.
     
  9. Jan 10, 2015
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I run the newer style headman headers . with the ball collector . no gasket to burn out , went with the headers for a P/S upgrade .on third set now .about 10 years each . they do then to rust out. now my exhaust runs all the way to back . that helps on noise compared to side exhaust . now if I do it again . just might put another u joint in steering shaft , and try manifolds again . but again this will be down the road .
     
  10. Jan 10, 2015
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Well the headers help performance? In my Opinion , Absolutely Yes, no question! Ever look at the ports in an odd or for that matter, even fired set of heads? The intake runners on both even though small are short and direct enough and only require some very minor amount of work........It's the valve bowls on both , Especially the exhaust side that benefits most and wakes up the little V6. Increased scavenging via the use of a header even without touching the bowels in the heads will allow that little beast to breath much better creating more power and torque even at low RPM's........I will agree that the fender exit pipes do create an issue where your exhaust exits.........but it's not hard even on a mild off roader to bring the pipe back under the frame just before the rear tire and still get it to exit out the rear on both sides.............I do like the Novak Block Hugger style inside the frame header pipes ( made by Sanderson here in Cally) although one would still have to be creative on the drivers side to dodge steering , clutch linkage, cross member and belly pan on the way to the rear of the vehicle.........Just depends on what your looking for.
     
  11. Jan 11, 2015
    Roberts1969CJ

    Roberts1969CJ Member

    Germantown,...
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    Jan 5, 2015
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    When I sent the cylinder heads out to get redone the machine shop ground all of the bowls and replaced everything. As you suggested I did go the the Sanderson site and looked at some headers made for the Buick. The BS1 looks good and from what the dimensions list it is only 2 3/4" from the exhaust port to the outer part of the header and the length is 12 1/2" but looking at the picture of the header for the driver's side looks like the tubes and collector drops straight down probably causing interference with the steering box. If this header could work and give my fabricator the clearance to install the exhaust.
     
  12. Jan 12, 2015
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Sanderson makes the headers, but I helped design them with Eric from Novak. They have some special items to clear the starter and were supposed to clear both Saginaw and Ross at the time.
     
  13. Jan 12, 2015
    Roberts1969CJ

    Roberts1969CJ Member

    Germantown,...
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    Great, I'll get a hold of them and find out exactly what I need. Is ceramic the way to go?
     
  14. Jan 12, 2015
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Oct 29, 2012
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    When I suggested Bowl or pocket work that area I mentioned is below the valve seat inside the port at the valve guide fairing and surrounding area that un-shrouds the valve when opening..........Your machine shop most likely just ground the valves and seats only as the process I'm referring to is quite labor intensive.........Your setup will still benefit from a set of headers like Novak sells......

    This is an even fired set of Buick #8445 heads that I recently did. They have been surfaced , hardened seats installed on the exhaust side along with using Ferrea Stainless steel valves. These now flow near 200 CFM which is about a 60 CFM Improvement. These are not Racing heads Per-Se they have only been modified in areas that would enhance low RPM HP ,Torque and throttle response.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Jan 13, 2015
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I really like the ceramic on the headers. That is what I run on my setups.
     
  16. Jan 14, 2015
    Roberts1969CJ

    Roberts1969CJ Member

    Germantown,...
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    Jan 5, 2015
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    I ordered the Sanderson Headers today and it's going to take a few days to get coated and polished. Looking forward to see how I will have to route the exhaust from the collector back.
     
  17. Jan 18, 2015
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
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    tarry i did the same thing to my heads myself port and polish. one of the best free mods you can do. i also gasket matched the intake and exhaust ports for better flow. the ford heads need a lot of material removed in order to really flow at least on my dove heads i had in my f-150
     
  18. Mar 23, 2015
    69cj5$

    69cj5$ New Member

    wa
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    Feb 28, 2015
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    did the headers ever work out ?
     
  19. Jul 19, 2017
    Biggyniner

    Biggyniner Member

    Portland Metro...
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    Jul 3, 2017
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    111

    How did the headers workout with your Ross steering box?
     
  20. Jul 20, 2017
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    I have fender well vintage Eagle headers with the Ross box steering. There's no issues for clearance. I have the exhaust routed to the very back.
     
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