headers with O2 sensor

1986MoneyPit · Member Necoa #: 6089 Joined: Sep 09, 2005 Posts: 4

I have been searching high and low and now have all my parts togethar to do my tpi swap in my 1986 elky. My car doesn't currently have headers and I'm looking for some that will fit my car. The problem is that I am looking for headers that have the port for the O2 sensor. Summit is telling me that my only option are a pair of eldebrock headers that cost 400 bucks. I'm about spent out and wasn't planning on spending that amount for them. I was curious what everyone else was using. My motor is only slightly modified so I'm not looking for super competition headers or anything. I have already been searching through the forum and the suggestions that I've come up with do not have the O2 port. I appreciate any help.

txbusa · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

Several companies make weld-In O2 Sensor Bungs that weld into the collector.

Look for the correct size at either Summit or Jegs. They run about $12.00.

As far as Iknow, this will solve your problem cheaply.

John Cool

_________________
72 SS 454/700r4
(A real SS that got a 454 along the way)
"Great Threads" web site

1986MoneyPit · Member Necoa #: 6089 Joined: Sep 09, 2005 Posts: 4

Thanks, I like a good cheap fix. I'm going to look into that weld-in tomorrow. I didn't know they made something like this. If anybody out there has done this swap and kept the o2 sensor I'm curious to know what you used to fix this problem.

Orfunauto · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:04 pm Post subject:

My local exhaust shop has them on hand. $3.00 a piece. You could also by non-foulers for the large ford sparkplugs at your local auto parts store.
_________________
82 SS El Camino, Gen 5, Album #20
Super charged 3.8 fwd 48 Buick
68 Norton Fastback
74 MCI 36,000#, 40' Private Coach
To the wife: Better cars than bars.......

MEvang · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:38 am Post subject:

I'm sure the original poster here is well past this point, but I'm just getting there. My plans are for a 350 TPI engine and 700 R4 in my '86. In the mean time while everything is getting rebuilt I want to get a set of headers and dual on the 305. I too have been looking at headers that will work well with the 02 sensor.
I have been told long tube header cool to much at the collector to get good O2 operation and short tubes would be better. Two headers I'm looking at are the Hooker 2049HKR universal shorts and the Hooker 2466 HKR emission league set.
Any experience with either one of these headers?? How about long tubes with 02's??
Mike
_________________
"That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced." (Scientific American January 2, 1909).

toms84ss · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:31 am Post subject:

You can use a heated O2 sensor with long tubes. Several out there to choose from.

K5Cruiser · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject:

MEvang - The heated O2 sensor sounds like a very good suggestion.

If you decide not to go that route, you can put the O2 sensor in one of the header tubes before the collector. This may not sound all that great, but it's exactly what Doug Thorley does with his headers. I had a set on an '89 Suburban, and the O2 sensor on a set of Tri-Y headers basically only read two of the header tubes. I moved the O2 sensor further down in the system, just past the collector, and lost about 2 mpg. The engine ran more efficiently with the O2 sensor in the bung that Doug Thorley had placed on the set, so of course I moved the sensor back to that position.

greywolf · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject:

In my '84, I had Flowtech headers on the original 305, and transplanted the headers to the LT1. Welded O2 sensor bungs into the collector, and it works fine with the heated sensors that are standard for the LT1 (94 Roadmaster).