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

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.

 

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

 

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!

 

I have the v6 also and the performance was just fine with the stock manifolds. Good luck

 

Can I ask about upgrading to either disk brakes or 11" drums? This jeep has never been easy to stop or even slow down.

 

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.

 

Of course you can ask. You will probably get a response like "Do a search first" This subject has been covered many, many times.

 

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 .

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

did the headers ever work out ?

 

How did the headers workout with your Ross steering box?

 

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.