Black Jack headers

**GaryC** · #1 05-26-2014, 05:29 AM

Who made the black Jack headers in the 70's? I can remember. I bought a set for my first Z in 75 and painted them white. I Googled but didn't find anything on vintage Black Jacks but did see something on I guess newer versions? Would they be the same as the vintage? I have a set hanging on the wall of my garage that has the 2 loops on the top of the flange and they do look like the Dynomax I've seen.

KenMaisano · #2 05-26-2014, 03:13 PM

I think it was Cyclone.

**Xplantdad** · #3 05-26-2014, 05:24 PM

All I know is that Blackjack headers sucked [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] LOL

I had them on my big block Nova. What did I expect for $70.00 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]

**PxTx** · #4 05-26-2014, 06:13 PM

Bought the car with the 327 apart in the trunk.

Dropping in the fresh 327.

Broke in with single carb

If you notice those cheap headers held up- both paint and and leak free for a long time!

I am fond of them, though when I re-do things I'll probably upgrade. I got a set because the Sunday I finally got a chance to slide the 327 in my Chevelle is when I discovered the headers which were in the trunk (with the motor) were actually for a Pontiac. Mike Orm from Shaw's Speed Shop dropped off a set of Black Jack headers on his way home.

Thankfully, my Dad had me sand the shipping paint off. We heated them up and painted them black. Used rubber gloves to install them and they held up for several years. I even made a comment a few years back about how well they sealed. Dad revealed he went around tightening the header bolts up every day for the first few weeks. Those tricks worked! Headers are still on my car, though a little rusty.

**GaryC** · #5 05-26-2014, 06:41 PM

I was thinking Mr. Gasket?IDK. Dern, I still can't recall. I know I had them blasted at the base hobby shop and then painted them VHT header white. I remember doing the heat and let cool method when I installed them on the engine about five times. It was a pain in the butt to keep them clean but they looked sharp. Never had a problem with the ones I had. Don't think they were $70.00 though Bruce. They weren't the Hooker price, which IIRC were the top of the line that you could get around that time period locally. You know, being on a military pay scale wasn't the greatest. I'm thinking these were like a mid price range set, maybe no more then $125.00 to $150.00 I believe. Seal was pretty good once I figured out I had to tighten the bolts up every few days. I've replaced my share of Mr. Gasket header gaskets. I think I was using 2 on each sides. Drove from Dover AFB to Memphis and didn't have any issues with them on my first Camaro SS350.

I'm just stuck on who made them then. I see Dynomaxx has a Black Jack header.

**earntaz** · #6 05-26-2014, 11:26 PM

Appliance industries? I've used a few sets on SBC and BBC and never had an issue. Some jack wads would hang Purple Hornies on the end of em' -- not support the mufflers and that would loosen the header bolts. So ole Jack Wad would get in there with a breaker bar and retighten the header bolts umteen times -- bent the hell out of the flanges.
The TAZ

**Day2_69Z** · #7 05-27-2014, 01:52 PM

Black Jack Brand headers were marketed by the Mr. Gasket Co. Manufacturer ??? The time period (Mid-late 70's) had Mr. Gasket Co. buying & selling various companies and marketing products under their name and other (Parent or Sub-Companies) Later Mr Gasket became Mr Gasket Performance Group. WR Grace was a major player then and a Leading NHRA sponsor...series Sponsor, Remember the WR Grace Cup... Awards?

Many members here have N.O.S. boxes & packages along with Catalogs... lets look those up and read the info, credits & disclaimers on those packages & Catalogs.
The Headers pictured are an early set of Appliance. Bought in 69 for a Z/28 & Look just like a set of Black Jack's I had on my 69 SS 350 except the collectors were 3 bolt swivels.
DON'T USE GASKETS !!! Mate the header flange to the head, filing and grinding to fit square & flush and you'll never have to re-tighten them after initial warm-up and re-tighten .... of course using lock-tight helps.

**GaryC** · #8 05-28-2014, 02:43 AM

I remember mine having the three bolt collector swivel and using the silver/metal header gaskets on occasion but used the white full gaskets mostly at the heads. So it was Mr. Gasket. I keep thinking the Mr. Gasket name it self was a stand alone name when I bought my set.

**Salvatore** · #9 05-28-2014, 03:36 PM

man you got some good stuff Day-2 Tom M.

**Day2_69Z** · #10 05-29-2014, 01:59 AM

Thanks Sam,
I look constantly....and it's drying up like real quick. Most of what I have is for the Car and some spares.
Accumulated over many years, I buy when I see it. (regardless of the cost)... 'they ain't mak'n it anymore'
You have some real nice stuff too. Did you get that PM I sent about the Hood?