Available headers for 61 caddy w/ 390?

[James Roraback]

I have a 61 caddy with the 390 engine in it. Both the left and right exhaust manifolds have some small cracks in them. I was wondering if anyone mad a set of headers for this application. I havent found it listed anywhere, but I havent tried calling anyone yet to see if they make a set. Anyone have leads on a set?
Also, Im very unfamiliar with the GM motors, so Im going to ask a very uneducated question...is the 390 a small block, big block, or neither?

Thanks,

James

[Robt.Vonheck in sandiego calif.]

-although Caddie engines are not generally referred to as "big block" (because they are essentially all relatively big in displacement), -but the 49-62V8 is actually fairly compact as compared to so-called Chevy & Ford big-block iterations, -while the 472-500cid Cad.V8s are indeed physically substantially larger than your 61-390V8!   Although not having first-hand experience with the brothers Abbey&Gary-Zap you should contact them to see what they can do for you:  800-933-0373 or zapperformanceexhaust@hotmail.com or their Ebay-link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33631&item=7939186962&rd=1&ssPageName=W  ; -and be sure to ask only for silver/Ceramic-coated(inside&outside, -if not so coated inside as well, -then absolutely dont buyem!) steel-headers, as these will not only improve performance, youll obtain better fuel-economy owing that the reflectiveness of the Aluminum-ceramic actually dramatically improving the efficiency of exhaust-flow, --amazingly, you can actually touch them with a hot engine and not get burned!! tellem you received info. about them via CLC-website...  
~Bob vH  

[Robt. Vonheck]

James:  -if the above outfit cannot provide the desired headers, then see if Edmonds hasem;  --then if only available in plain steel heres an outfit that will do a dandy job Silver/Ceramic-coatingem for you (also, maybe they have a Mfg. "direct-source" for your Cad.390V8-headers that they do the Coating-process for...)!  ~Bob vH  
[ http://www.amr-coatings.com/pricing.html#Pistons ]

[Robt. Vonheck]

Another thought James...  -you know, the design-configuration and flow of the 59-62Cad.F8-Exh.manifolds is actually quite good, if it were me ide simply have the oem-manifolds ground-smooth all over so as to look substantially like Headers, then just send the pair to the preceeding Ceramic-coating company for updating to their Silver.Ceramic-coating (inside&out); --whereby they will also naturally exactly refit to your existing stock/exhaust-system and other proximal clearances without hastle!!  -to me by far the best way to go, as you will definitely find a performance gain the easiest way, and if you do a good job grinding-off all of the oem/casting-protrusions & flashings, --they will look really show-quality... (finally, you can add an H-pipe immediately after the new-headers to gain a bit more power and balanced-tone with dual-exhausts, --as each outlet will sound like a
V8 not a V4 as without the H-pipe)!!   ~Bob vH  

[Matt Harwood]

I agree with Bob--a cast iron manifold can work just as well as a tubular header, and will probably save some money in the process. If no header exists for your application, youll spend a lot fabricating a set. And the horsepower gains will be negligible without updating a lot of other features on the car (the exhaust system, for one). I agree that ceramic coatings on thin-walled headers is a great help, both from a durability and a heat-management perspective.

Im not familiar with the designs of Cadillac exhaust manifolds, but if you can get a set like Bob recommends, perhaps consider having them Extrude-Honed (www.extrude-hone.com) for better flow, if thats what youre looking for. This way you can have better flow, better heat management and a stock look, all for about what it would cost you to have a fabricator make you a set of tubular headers.

Hope this helps.
--
Matt Harwood
Cleveland, OH
My 1941 Buick Century restoration:
http://www.harwoodperformance.bizland.com/1941buick/index.html

[Robt. Vonheck]

Matt & James:  -yes,  after youve done the initial "exterior-smoothing" (buy or rent a hand-held hi-speed grinder such as a compact PorterCable-grinder employing a 7"/48grit-alum.oxide sanding-disk; -youll use about 1-disk per manifold), then the ExtrudeHoning-process would be an excellant additional proceedure,  then finally have them Silver/Ceramic-coated (inside/outside); and the end result will be absolutely terrific both visually and as to best possible performance.   Naturally, wed love to see pictures of the manifolds as they appeared a.) originally,  b,) ground-smooth,  c.)  coated, c.) reinstalled...  
~Bob Vonheck