283 exhaust manifolds for my 63

I currently have long tube headers on my 283 in my 63 CJ5. They're to the point where no matter what I try I cannot get them to stop leaking. Also, I'm tired of the louder exhaust. I would like to go with cast iron exhaust manifolds, but unsure which will work best and clears the steering.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

we use one rams head on the left bank and a rear dump on the right however the ram will work just as well on both sides we have 4 jeeps with a 283 in them

 

Plus the rams horn's are cool looking. 8)

 

Thank you jeep two! Have you found a brand you prefer that work better than others?

Way cool looking, Tim!!

 

I believe both posts refer to the stock GM cast iron versions. You may get a slight boost in power with a set of shorty block hugger headers, but I don't think the return on investment would be very good and personally, I would be using cast iron for that application. The cast iron versions should be readily available.

 

Postscript: I was looking through my bone pile yesterday at sbc cast iron exhaust manifolds and there were four different styles of rear dumps and two styles of center dumps in there and I suspect many, many more styles were used over the 45 year run in a diverse array of GM vehicles. If the Ross box is still in there, you could likely copy the 225 factory arrangement and reverse a right side rear dump on the left if you can't get a center dump to clear the Ross.

If it was mine, I would be investing in another set of good fenderwell headers and quite mufflers. Other than the extra heat, one of the few win-win things that both increases power and economy. Get a good set of header bolts, good gaskets, and good headers and they will not leak.

 

I had constant problems with my headers shaking bolts loose and blowing out the gaskets even though I’d go around and retighten them after each heat cycle.
I replaced the stock exhaust manifold bolts with Stage 8 bolts about 3 years ago and haven’t had to mess with them since.

http://www.stage8.com/

 

I like to use Truck manifolds from about 73 to 80 pre smog. They have a really easy lineup that works well within a Jeep's framerails. There are some quality headers being made now, and stage 8 fasteners will not come loose. They are not cheap though, so if cost is a big issue then go stock.

 

stock

 

On your drivers side ram head, do you have a straight down dump or or down and swept to the rear out? The swept looks like it might have an issue clearing the master cylinder when the rest of the exhaust is added. Thanks!

 

If the straight dumps will work, you can get the 2 1/2" outlet manifolds reproduction that were used on the Corvettes 300 hp and up starting in '63. I replaced the headers on my Jimmy with the 'vette manifolds and recommend it to others all the time. In small block Z cars, the manifolds are sometimes angle milled and then the bolt holes enlarged and spot faced to bring the outlet closer to the block for steering clearance.

 

I have a set of stock cast iron exhaust manifolds if you are interested, PM me.

 

Thanks all for the advice. Found a set of mid 60's small block ram head style manifolds on eBay with the straight dumps and the drivers side alternator boss.

Wish I had seen this before hitting the buy button! Thanks though, I appreciate it.