S-10 4.3 headers fit 85/86?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Scruffy49

Full Access Member
Law Enforcement Navy
Joined
Feb 28, 2025
Posts
419
Reaction score
590
Location
Rosemark TN
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
C10 swb
Engine Size
4.3L
As asked, will the shorty headers for an S10 4wd work on a 2wd full size? The units come with O2 sensor block off plates and easy to cap egr fittings. I’d rather not chop up the stock stuff in case somebody in an emissions test area needs them.

Trying to get the engine bay as bare bones as possible. Can’t even see the engine as issued for all the vacuum lines, vacuum fittings, poorly routed hvac plumbing…

Thanks.
 

ali_c20

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Posts
2,087
Reaction score
3,204
Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
They should fit, when you check applications at Summit for headers they fit small blocks from 1964 - 1994
Most aftermarket headers are made to fit over the square and d shape exhaust port.
Post some pics of the headers or the brand.
 
Last edited:

xm20k

Runs on 93 octane, caffeine, and spite
Supporting Member
Joined
May 26, 2025
Posts
1,110
Reaction score
2,853
Location
Girard, Ohio
First Name
David
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
388
Not sure on that one. I know the frame rails on an S10 narrow in at the rear of the engine making the headers for one angle back more in line with the drive train than a set for a c10 would. They may be up into the lower firewall front floorboard area of the cab.
 

xm20k

Runs on 93 octane, caffeine, and spite
Supporting Member
Joined
May 26, 2025
Posts
1,110
Reaction score
2,853
Location
Girard, Ohio
First Name
David
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
388
They should fit, when you check applications at Summit for headers they fit small blocks from 1964 - 1994
Most aftermarket headers are made to fit over the square and d shape exhaust port.
Post some pics of the headers or the brand.
The engine fit isn't the issue it's the chassis/body design that's the issue here. The chassis kicks up higher and is more pinched towards the engine in the front so the headers for them typically are tighter to the engine but angled back at a much higher position and would put them into the firewall. Notice the angle difference first is an s10 chassis with a set of shorties and second is a 350 with C10 headers ignore they are long tubes the shorties would just end pointing down next to the starter.

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

idahovette

Full Access Member
Firefighter
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
9,545
Reaction score
22,427
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
I'd be worried about the driver's side, where the one pipe on the S10 header wraps around the steering shaft?
 

ali_c20

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Posts
2,087
Reaction score
3,204
Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
I checked application at Summit and Jegs, the S10 4x4 headers only fit the S10 pickups and Blazers. From the picture I would say they dont fit.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
9,947
Reaction score
19,081
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
He could run them upside down like a drag boat
 

xm20k

Runs on 93 octane, caffeine, and spite
Supporting Member
Joined
May 26, 2025
Posts
1,110
Reaction score
2,853
Location
Girard, Ohio
First Name
David
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
388
I'd be worried about the driver's side, where the one pipe on the S10 header wraps around the steering shaft?
The S10 steering box is inside of the frame rail practically right under the PS pump the c10 steering box is on the outside of the frame rail so the C10 steering shaft might clear the header. I think the collectors being in your floorboard on either side of the trans tunnel basically the driver's side one being where your throttle peddle sits the biggest issue.
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Firefighter
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
9,545
Reaction score
22,427
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Was thinking the wide swing of the one pipe may interfere.........and I'm talking v8 S10 headers not V6 headers :rolleyes: is everyone else?.......NEVERMIND
 

xm20k

Runs on 93 octane, caffeine, and spite
Supporting Member
Joined
May 26, 2025
Posts
1,110
Reaction score
2,853
Location
Girard, Ohio
First Name
David
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
388
Figured SBC but does not matter the collector would be in the cabin foot well not below it. The angle of an S10 header due to the frame shape (not counting a fender well header) would go thru at the pinch weld and require it to be in the floorboard of a C10 cab they angle back along the transmission to high up for a C10. Fit around steering and other things becomes a moot point.

Also, small block C10 headers are fairly cheap under 300 or Nova headers if for a lowered C10 also under or right around 300 bucks.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
48,413
Posts
1,066,821
Members
42,794
Latest member
Huffer8
Top