As I recall, I ended up using about 1-1/4 50 ft. rolls. One roll didn't quite get 'er done. I bought the "black" wrap, which is actually dark gray and looked even worse after a couple of weeks. I suggest trying the white wrap, probably less ugly.

Dave

Hello again 74-454,

I have a set of Ceramic coated Hedman headers on my 427 and they look great and do an awesome job of reducing heat.  I have not tried the other brands as the guys ay Summit told me that they thought the Hedman headers were pretty stout, they have thick flanges and were supposed to not have so many "leaking" problems associated with headers in general.

There are lots of stories about Big Block Corvettes incinerating themselves with headers because the clearances are smaller with the larger engine.  I don't know if they are true but to avoid any problems I was either going to pay extra for the jet-hot coating or wrap my new headers.

I have seen only a couple of wrap jobs that I would call "okay" most look like poop.  This made the decision easy for me, I bought the ceramic coated headers from Hedman thru Summit.

My first set developed little red freckles/spots all over them within the first year.  My car lives in a garage in Northern Virginia so this made me a bit peeved.  I called Hedman and they had Summit send me another set for free.  The coatings have some great warranty it seems.  Problem number two was when I took the old set off I couldn't get the new header on the 1-3-5-7 side back on the car, it hit my steering box.  The original set had 1/4" clearance and with a bit of wiggling went right on (with the clutch lingage removed of course) without any hitches.

I tried and tried to get the header on the drivers side, the passenger side was a 5 minute job.  Finally I called Hedman and they sent out another 1-3-5-7 side header and it slid right in without any clearance problems at all.

This set has been on for five years not and still looks good.  If nothing else this will tell you that all headers are not built the same and that Hedman headers is a quality company who stands behind their products.

I hope that you have as easy a job installing them on a car with all the later car accesories.  My 1968 has lots of room, I can reach and change all eight plugs from the top without any gymnastics.

Sidepipes do look really great and I love the sound but the noise in your ears for more than a few minutes has got to ruin your hearing.  (It sure beats listening to that music that the kids in their imports have to listen too loudly since their engines sound so pathetic).  I love my cousins '67 with the side pipes but for my car I am very happy with all of the sound of the side-pipes just pouring out the rear where the imports can listen to it.....

Good luck with your 74 -454!

Christopher T. McCloskey

My exhaust pipes are from Allen Stainless.  I'm very pleased with them.