time for headers... Need help !

I guess I`m just at a loss here, having owned a 383 GTS years back, I had a set of full length headers, MFG was Holley / Mickey Thompson, 1 5/8 x35 inches long 3 inch collectors, they never were a problem, didnot have the steering locator go thru the tubes, never rattled against anything, why is the small block so much differant..? they seem to have a lot of issues. Rich