Header Headache

I just pulled the motor (340) and tranny (727) on my 1968 Barracuda. What a major project when it came to the drivers side header. I am not sure of the manufacturer of the headers but I had to sawsall the header into pieces to get it off, it was wrapped around the starter and was inside the torsion bar. If I hadn't cut it I would have had to remove the torsion bar completely, I did notice that the headers were actually cut and re-welded on 3 of the 4 tubes when they were installed.............These headers I guess are around 10 years old.
Is this the normal with this car and headers in general? Does someone make a header that I wont have such a major issue with when I go to put the motor back in? Also will/should I buy a mini starter because the header was wrapped so tightly around the starter and made it almost impossible to unbolt it let alone slide it out.
Any help would be appreciated, I am sure I am not the first one to run into these issues.
Thanks