Anyone Ever Successfully Install those Sanderson Headers?

[Jason Edge]

So, I get the question about headers for our car from time to time, including an email this morning.
Here is my standard response:
"Sanderson Headers is the only company I have never known to make headers for the 63/64 Cadillac.

The issue was and still is you will need to fabricate a mount the alternator since the stock RH exhaust manifold has the lower mounting stud for the alternator. I am sure it has been done but do not recall any Chapter Member ever successfully installing them … only lots of chatter about what to do about the alternator.

Here is the direct link: https://sandersonheaders.com/product/cad391-header-set-cadillac-390... "

Just following up, has anyone every successfully installed these headers and addressed the alternator issue? If so, can you provide details and pictures? 

thanks, Jason. 

[C. Van Tune]

Open reply to anyone who is trying to decide on installing headers or not:

Having built a lot of high performance engines in my day (not Cadillac engines...SBC and BBF mostly) and also owned about ten '60s Cadillacs) I don't know why anyone would want to put headers on a Cadillac V8 from our era.   These engines were not meant to rev above 5000 rpm, or run at WOT for long periods of time.  And they fulfilled their intended purpose perfectly, with lots of silent torque and performance with an elegant demeanor.

The reason to install headers is, usually, to get more power higher in the RPM band. Depending on if they're short, medium or long tube in design (longer for more hp, shorter for more torque) dictates how much of a gain you'll get. 

Back to the design of our Cadillac engines, the intake manifold is as about as low-rise as you can get. These engines make torque by having a lot of cubic inches. What's funny is that most lay-people say they want a lot of horsepower, but what they really mean is a lot of torque. It's torque that moves the car off the line, peels rubber, and provides strong part-throttle acceleration. Horsepower comes more into play in passing speeds and top speed. 

So, what are you trying to improve by installing headers? There are plenty of downsides: Leaky gaskets, warping, flaking paint, surfaces changing colors (ever see chrome that's been 1000 degrees?), increased difficulty in changing spark plugs, and the need for replacement at some time in the future. 

Cast iron manifolds are as bullet proof as it gets. Much more rare to have gasket problems or warping, plus there's no need to re-torque the bolts every thousand miles or so.  They can be refinished over and over.

Again, what it your objective? And what engine are you using? If it's a 500-incher in a ski boat...for sure you'll need headers and a tall intake and lots more.  But, for driving to car shows, and even 80+ mph freeway driving, headers won't buy you much of anything but underhood "wow factor."

Ignore the boasting of "better mpg" as unless you balloon-foot it everywhere, the difference is negligible. 

You will also need to richen up the carburetor to compensate for the drastic reduction in back-pressure, so you need to factor-in that expense.  Next in line is the restrictive intake manifold. Are you planing on changing that for a better-flowing aftermarket unit? What about the cylinder heads?

It all works together. Changing just one part of the puzzle may not give you the performance effect you're hoping for. 

That said, I do like to put dual exhaust on my vintage cars (Cads included) for slightly less back-pressure (restriction) and a bit of a throatier sound, but have not done it on my '64 Eldo because it's so perfect as it sits with its stainless steel single pipes.  

With duals, yes the engine will breathe better, but it will also be louder unless you add significant mufflers and resonators.  Add headers into the formula and more sound attenuating will be necessary...unless you are desirous of Flowmaster 40 sound effects.

I'm eager to hear what engine you're running and in what car.  We haven't even started discussing camshaft changes, which are part of a complete performance engine package.