SpeedMaster Heads

[TheBone]

I have a 1970 Dart with power steering, I am currently running a 1973 340 with stock heads and Dougs D453 headers. I am going with Speed Master aluminum heads and a new set of headers. My question is will I still be able to use the same headers (D453) and still have the same clearances, or is there another brand headers with more clearance.

 

[dano]

My 69 has a 72 340, SpeedMaster heads, Power Steering and Doug's D453 headers plus a Z-bar and a TKO600 and it all fits fine. You will need to check clearance around the Power Steering box and possibly shim the motor mounts for clearance once you verify the ending is in the proper location. Use good header gaskets, I used Remflex. Get a mini starter if you don't already have one.

Not sure there is another header that has more clearance other than fenderwell and possibly shorty TTI's.

 

[-Boosted-]

I have a 1970 Dart with power steering, I am currently running a 1973 340 with stock heads and Dougs D453 headers. I am going with Speed Master aluminum heads and a new set of headers. My question is will I still be able to use the same headers (D453) and still have the same clearances, or is there another brand headers with more clearance.

This is actually a great question. On a Dart I had, I went from X heads to Edelbrock RPMs and I found that the Doug's headers fit better with the X heads than the RPMs. Fitment was close, but not exactly the same. Then on my Duster with Hedman Race headers, I went from Edelbrock RPMs to Trick Flows and the RPMs actually fit a little better than with the Trick Flows. Again, fitment was close but not exactly the same. Sorry it doesn't answer your question.... lol

 

[Garrett Ellison]

Just shows how unpredictable headers can be on these cars, too. It's pretty well known that factory tolerance was typically just good enough to get it down to the next step on the line during manufacture.

 

[TheBone]

My 69 has a 72 340, SpeedMaster heads, Power Steering and Doug's D453 headers plus a Z-bar and a TKO600 and it all fits fine. You will need to check clearance around the Power Steering box and possibly shim the motor mounts for clearance once you verify the ending is in the proper location. Use good header gaskets, I used Remflex. Get a mini starter if you don't already have one.

Not sure there is another header that has more clearance other than fenderwell and possibly shorty TTI's.

I do have the mini starter, thanks for info..

 

[JDMopar]

If you're getting assembled Speedmaster heads, get a trusted machine shop to check them over before bolting them on. Better safe than sorry! Dougs D453's or TTI's are the two best choices for headers, but you may have to do a little shimming of the motor mounts with either set. A lot of people expect to just be able to stand back and throw headers in and they fall right in place and fit. I've come to just resign myself to the reality that I may have to fiddle with aftermarket stuff and make it fit, but if it fits first go round....BIG win for me! Have fun with your project, and good luck.

 

[TheBone]

I did have my local machine shop check over heads, they had to do a little work to the guides other than that they checked out good, gonna go with Doug's and shimming if needed, thanks..