CC11-158 Header Set, Small Block Chevy

Dimensions

Installation Notes

1. The Patented Leak-Free Design on Sanderson Headers provides the only leak-free flange design on the market … Do Not Attempt To Use Flange Gaskets! The raised flange on tube-style Sanderson Headers will buckle the gasket during tightening and cause a leak!  It is only OK to use a header gasket on the cast-series header sets (QP1000 and QP2000) Click here for the header installation procedure.
2. Sanderson Headers are NOT emissions legal on pollution-controlled motor vehicles. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to verify local regulations for compliance.
3. Wrapping Sanderson Headers with ANY thermal tape voids the header warranty. Our Aluminized Ceramic Coating is the best thermal protection for your headers and is available for every Sanderson Header. For additional information on why using header wraps is a problem, please read this tech article by Century Performance Center which addresses thermal coatings and header wraps.

Vortec-Based and BluePrint Style Heads

This informative article was written by Sam of Century Performance Center

NOTE: This issue concerns STRAIGHT PLUG Vortec-style small block Chevy cylinder heads, including the BluePrint heads

Vortec-style (including some non-GM aftermarket) cylinder heads use a different spark plug location than standard non-Vortec cylinder heads. Vortec-based heads move the spark plugs further from the chamber’s center and closer to the exhaust valve. This can cause a header clearance issue because it changes the spacing between the two center spark plugs, bringing them 1/2″ closer together. Some tubes require dimpling for spark plug clearance on exhaust headers with tight bends near the cylinder head (for example, the Sanderson CC158 header shown below). Dimpling of other tubes is sometimes required on other header designs affected by the spark plug location and up-down angle.

BluePrint cylinder heads are based on the Vortec spark plug locations. However, the BluePrint heads are manufactured with a raised exhaust port exit. This changes the up-down angle of the spark plug and the center-to-center distance of the two center spark plugs. Dimpling locations vary slightly between common Vortec-based and BluePrint header applications.

If unsure, please measure the center-to-center distance between the center pair of spark plugs on your heads. The standard distance is 4.5″ (11.43 cm), compared with 4.0″ (10.16 cm) on the Vortec heads (See the image below). Additionally, one reason we ask for the cylinder head brand, type, and part number is that not all Vortec-style cylinder heads use the same spark plug location and angle. Having accurate information allows us to ensure that the proper dimpling is applied to the Sanderson header set for spark plug boot clearance during the manufacturing process.

Tube dimpling example, Sanderson CC158 for Vortec:

Additionally, the vertical spark plug location on some Vortec-based aftermarket cylinder heads may differ from the examples above. We may require the distance between the center of one of the mounting holes and the center of the spark plug hole (see image below). This ensures that dimpling is applied to the correct location(s) on the header.

What is a D-Port?

Sam of Century Performance Center, Inc provided this article.

We often see confusion in what is considered a D-Port cylinder head for small-block Chevrolet engine applications. The problem stems from a lack of technical understanding of what constitutes a true D-PORT versus a D-shape. The D-Port roof extends well above the centerline of the exhaust port, whereas the D-shaped port fits neatly within what is considered a standard port dimension. The graphic below shows that the d-shape easily fits within the typical round or square port flange opening.

Where other header manufacturers use a typical flat header flange and gasket for sealing, the patented raised flange design of the Sanderson Headers requires different flanges for different small-block Chevy exhaust port shapes. Other header flanges often block the top of the exhaust port on D-port heads. When using a Sanderson D-Port flange, the port is not blocked. However, using the wrong flange with a Sanderson header may expose open areas that will not seal, creating an exhaust leak.

Examples:

1. Using a D-port flange on a typical GM head (standard round, square, or D-shaped port), the header port flange open is larger (taller opening) than the sealing area around the exhaust port (additional details below, comparing two BRODIX Track 1® cylinder heads)
   
2. Using a standard Sanderson header flange on a D-port cylinder head has a similar problem, where the cylinder head exhaust port opening may extend above the raised flange sealing area, again creating the possibility of an exhaust leak.

Here is an example of a small block Chevrolet D-port cylinder head that requires the Sanderson D-Port header flange.