I recently bought some BBK headers since people were saying they were a good quality header, but after getting 3 bad sets of headers in a row I now ordered some ford racing headers (hopefully these will be better). The Bronco has been down for over 3 weeks now exchanging these headers. All of them had small dents in the collector flange which would not allow the y-pipe to seal up. Also, I don't know if this is the same with other headers, but the BBK's had welding slag all over in the tubes and the outsides of the tubes were all ruffed up from the bending machines. The full story can be seen HERE (http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72033) in posts #10 and #29. Overall, the BBK's left a lot to be desired.

Strange, I didn't notice any dents in my BBK's collector flange.

I'll re check them this afternoon to make sure.

Didn't notice any problems with mine, they snugged down and on my rig now, no leaks either.

Strange, I didn't notice any dents in my BBK's collector flange. I'll re check them this afternoon to make sure.

Yeah, you better double check. It was messed up, with all three sets there would be one that was perfect, and then the other side would have a dent. The first set that I actually installed on the truck sounded like a giant whistle when it was running.

I also forgot to add that in one set that I got they were missing a header bolt, and on another set the gaskets were damaged.

best headers i ever bought for my stang....my guess is the dents came from shipping.....

Had a secondhand set on my 'stang, pain to install on pre-87 heads but worked fine, no leaks.

....my guess is the dents came from shipping.....

I don't think so, it has to be next to impossible for 3 sets of headers to have the same dent in the same area.


I finally got the Ford Racing Headers in. These make the 3 sets of BBK's look like they were assembled by monkeys, well worth the extra $50.

Look no dents!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/415163/fullsize/ford-racing-headers.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/415163_1)

All of the port welds are smoothed over, unlike the BBK's which had the welds bumped out and weld slag all over down the tubes. You can also see there are no "grip" marks from the bending machines like on the BBK's.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/415164/fullsize/ford-racing-headers-2.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/415164_1)

All the welds at the collector are smoothed over too.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/415165/fullsize/ford-racing-headers-3.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/415165_1)

They also came with this bolt setup to retain the intake manifold bracket.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/415170/fullsize/ford-header-bolt.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/415170_1)

Overall, I should have got the Ford Headers right away. I am surprised that everyone ranks BBK so high (maybe its because they got the ceramic coated and they are made better?). I could understand getting one bad set, but not 3 in a row.

mine came perfect.....no flaws in them at all.....maybve all 3 of yours were made on a friday?..lol

id have to agree with the poster, I wouldnt buy BBK's again, mine have the slag, machine marks he has, and the collector exit was the wrong size, must be a drunk in the factory, I just threw mine in cause I was excited to get my truck running after 6 plus months

Is the slag your talking about the little dots on the inside of he tube?
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/265529/fullsize/tube1.jpg

I also dont see the dents you speak of on mine.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/265060/fullsize/bbk1.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/265284/fullsize/plugclearance.jpg

I still havn't checked the collector flanges. But I will if I ever remember to.

I'm not saying there perfict by any means, and I'm preaty picky about details. But I just dont see the problems you mentioned.

Maybee the Ceramic coated ones are built better or somthing.:shrug

Is the slag your talking about the little dots on the inside of he tube?

No, the insides of the tubes had all kinds of bumps in them, none were smooth.

Maybee the Ceramic coated ones are built better or somthing.:shrug

That's what I'm thinking, your's looked a 1000 times better than mine.