5.0 headers on 351W in a 65?

nillle · May 16, 2006

As the title reads.. I'm thinking of fitting 5.0 shorty headers in my 65 mustang with a 351W and 4 speed tranny. Does anyone here have experience from this?
What worries me is that the engine mounts and clutch linkage may not clear.
Thanks

rhyno9 · May 16, 2006

They won't fit. Get the 351 swap headers for early mustangs.

302 coupe · May 16, 2006

I agree. I don't think any type of fox-body header will fit in an early model, unless you've cut out the shock towers. You need the 351 swap headers.

84convertablegt · May 16, 2006

those 5.0 headers wont even fit on a 289 or 302, let alone a 351

RMODEL65 · May 16, 2006

doesnt jba have a shorty header for 351w swaps?

rbohm · May 17, 2006

RMODEL65 said:
doesnt jba have a shorty header for 351w swaps?

yep, for pretty close to $500.

dennis112 · May 17, 2006

rbohm said:
yep, for pretty close to $500.

If he is going to pay that price, he might as well get good full headers for the same price from someplace like Accufab or FRP.

NasaGT · May 17, 2006

Anyone other than JBA make 351 swap headers?

302 coupe · May 17, 2006

4MuscleMachines · May 17, 2006

FRP DOES NOT make headers for a 351W in a 65 Stang. I have already spoken to Stan several times since I repeatedly read this on the forum and he repeatedly told me NO. He said it's just too tight for him to make a good set and he rather not do it. He asked me if anybody has a set of his headers on a 65-66 Mustang with a 351W, to get the part number and call him back because he would like to know how they did it!

I called AccuFab and they told me almost the same thing but that their headers would hang low just like the Hooker Supercomps currently on my car. They are about 1.5-2" above ground level and my car is lowered about 2".

dennis112 · May 17, 2006

4MuscleMachines said:
FRP DOES NOT make headers for a 351W in a 65 Stang. I have already spoken to Stan several times since I repeatedly read this on the forum and he repeatedly told me NO. He said it's just too tight for him to make a good set and he rather not do it. He asked me if anybody has a set of his headers on a 65-66 Mustang with a 351W, to get the part number and call him back because he would like to know how they did it!

I called AccuFab and they told me almost the same thing but that their headers would hang low just like the Hooker Supercomps currently on my car. They are about 1.5-2" above ground level and my car is lowered about 2".

OK, I will accept the fact that FRP may not make 351w swap headers since I haven't dealt with them. I would understand Stan's reasoning for not selling them because a sharp drop off is required to make a 1 3/4" header clear the shock tower. Some slight modification might be needed to the shock tower for clearance.

I DID PURCHASE 1 3/4" ACCUFABS for my 65' 393w swap. Below is a picture of the underside of my 393w 65'. I also am using 65' motor mounts that set the engine 1" lower than 66' and up. A coke can is 4 7/8" high and you can see that I have 1/2" more clearance than that. My Cal-tracs sit lower.

By the way, I also have the Shelby drop and standard 2bbl V8 coil springs. In the center is my big-arsed Lakewood scattershield which is slightly lower than the Accufab's.

I am running the stock 65' clutch linkage too.

The 1 3/4" Accufabs fit MUCH better than my previous Tubular Automotive 1 1/2" swap headers, which, even with smaller collectors, liked to brush the ground once in a while.

4MuscleMachines · May 17, 2006

Glad you posted Dennis, I had been looking for a thread with your same pic posted but couldn't find it. Can you PM me your part number for those headers? I was about to order JBA's but I would prefer Accufab, the clearance just cannot get better than yours.

dennis112 · May 17, 2006

4MuscleMachines said:
Glad you posted Dennis, I had been looking for a thread with your same pic posted but couldn't find it. Can you PM me your part number for those headers? I was about to order JBA's but I would prefer Accufab, the clearance just cannot get better than yours.

Call Accufab and the owner, George will answer. Give him all the info on your car/engine/heads and he will let you know if he can fix you up. If he doesn't think he can meet your needs, he'll tell you just like Stan did. On a good day the dirty old man will talk your ear off.

Part # BT110, ’65-’73 351W, SPL, 1 3/4" tube, 3" collector, Long Tube $ 499.99 uncoated. Coated headers are available for an addition cost.

My heads have raised ports and he was able to accomodate them, plus clear my Scattershield (some very minor clearancing was needed near starter) and my stock clutch linkage. My 3" collectors are so tight to the floor pan that I just barely clear the transmission brace. George builds them without collectors and recommends that you purchase the slide in tapered ones, such as what Summit sells for about $22 (flowmaster brand.)

Build time will probably be 3-4 weeks (you might want to confirm this.)

For my installation, I did not tweak a single tube. I did relieve the shock tower in 2 places (passenger side) to ensure adequate engine movement. Installing the equalizer bar and a stock starter is a chore due to the tight clearances, but overall I am very pleased with the fit and the workmanship.

nillle · May 18, 2006

Ok thanks alot. Now I won't make that mistake.

I have full length headers now, but the problem is that the clutch linkage doesn't clear. I would rather use shorty headers so I can bend the exhaust pipe to make the linkage clear.

Stangninjak · May 18, 2006

I run the Headman headers. 1 3/4 Tubes. they are considered shorties. They have a 3" collectors. They fit fine in my 65. Hell I even put the engine back in with them on..

4MuscleMachines · May 18, 2006

Stangninjak said:
I run the Headman headers. 1 3/4 Tubes. they are considered shorties. They have a 3" collectors. They fit fine in my 65. Hell I even put the engine back in with them on..

Are they true shorties or midlength? What's the part#?
Thx.

mtbdoc · May 18, 2006

Keep the info coming on 351W headers, guys. I am really trying to sort out how to do the headers in my 'vert. As a blown 408W, I'd like 1 7/8 or 2" headers...but will accept 1 3/4 if I have to. I have more room as the shock towers are gone. Also, we're going to push the engine as far down and back as we can, so headers may need a tad of cutting/welding...

So, any more options?

4MuscleMachines · May 18, 2006

nillle, you wouldn't want to use the Hooker SuperComps on a 351W in a 65. Take a look at my clearance. Now you know why I am desperately looking for alternatives. My front tires pressure was low so the clearance should go up by ONE inch max.

Also, I believe the JBA are 1 5/8", I need at least 1 3/4. Anybody know of 1 7/8" that don't hang low?

4MuscleMachines · May 18, 2006

Here is the coke can under the rocker panel lip so you can visualize the height of the car. I don't know how Dennis112 has so much clearance, mine is dropped 1.5"-2" with the shelby mod as well.

dennis112 · May 19, 2006

4MuscleMachines said:
Here is the coke can under the rocker panel lip so you can visualize the height of the car. I don't know how Dennis112 has so much clearance, mine is dropped 1.5"-2" with the shelby mod as well.

Glad the Coke Challenge is catching on!! .

WOW, that is low!!!!!

Part of the problem with your Hookers is that the collector appears to continue to shoot down at an angle. My accufabs are pretty much parallel to the ground--the coke cans are at the lowest spot.

My old TA headers collectors were maybe 2 1/2-3" from the ground. I was able to make that combination driveable by cutting off the collector flange and adding a piece of straight pipe instead (solid weld.) It wasn't real friendly to remove, but it did help driveablility. I was still very afraid of railroad crossings though . . . .

As seen in my pic, I do not have a collector ring now, either --I installed a Flowmaster ball and socket instead.

My rocker clearance is higher than yours. My exhaust is barely lower than the subframe connectors. During my Shelby drop I only did the standard 1" mod. Supposedly that translates to about 1/2" body drop. I am using stock V8 springs in the front. I don't know how it affects the front of the car, but I also run a 5 leaf rear spring.

My car is going in for a safety inspection this morning. I'll try to post some more pics tonight. It will give me a chance to try out my new camera.

5.0 headers on 351W in a 65?

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