exhaust manifold or headers? 428 into a 67

[67428CJ]

which do i need to put onto a 428CJ to get it to fit better in a 1967 fastback?
it had hooker headers on it i believe but we had to cut them off to get it out as one pipe went under the control arm or something like that... but would it be easier to get back in with headers or the manifold? thanks guys

 

[1320stang]

Usually, the headers that have a pipe that goes around like that, come apart in order for easy removal. If the cuts were done neatly, you'd likely be able to repair it and use it again, but if the headers were quite old, you might be better off replacing them with something else.

Someone may make shorty headers for your application as well. Typically, if you're running a 428 in a '67-'68 Mustang, it's a performance application and the manifolds that will fit are horrible performers.

A good forum for FE specific questions is the FordFE.com forum. This would be the type question I'd ask over there. Pretty much everything else on your car can be covered here, but I'd have to say that at least 80% of the people over here are well versed in the 289/302/351W engine, about 15% would split the 351C/429/460 engines and maybe 5% are well versed in the FE family.

 

[Sicarius428]

My hooker headers are in my 70 but I won't say that it was easy or fit well getting them in... I think we have the same engine bay... or at least very close.
Kevin

 

[86bluecobra]

i would say go with headers. a buddy of mine has a 390 in a 68 cougar. i know apples and oranges. but it took 12 hrs to get the headers in. so i would say manifords way easier but if its worth all that time then get the headers back in it.

 

[GNN60GT500]

I have exhaust manifolds on my 67 GT500-

Very tight fit- headers could be done- but it would be an absolute PITA-

 

[kmterrill]

You could try some FPA Tri-y's... http://www.fordpowertrain.com/390428triy.htm

 

[1320stang]

My hooker headers are in my 70 but I won't say that it was easy or fit well getting them in... I think we have the same engine bay... or at least very close.
Kevin

Well, the '67-'68 engine bay is a little tighter as I recall. They are a female dog in heat to get in. And changing plugs is a bear no matter what you use for the exhaust.

 

[D.Hearne]

FPA tri-Y's or 428CJ manifolds. Hookers SUCK big time in terms of fit, leaks and a general pain in the ass to deal with in a big block Stang.

 

[Sicarius428]

Yeah, installing them is a huge pain but they havn't given me any trouble so far. I used stage 8 locking bolts to keep them from loostening up on me so no leaks... yet. My biggest worry was them clearing the C6 which they did pretty nicely. Getting to the plugs aren't too much of an issue.
Kevin

 

[D.Hearne]

Plugs are the easy part. It's dealing with the limited room accessing the header bolts that's a bitch. Specially when things go wrong with the engine and you have to pull it, reinstall it, pull it................................

 

[chepsk8]

I had Hookers on the SCJ. Ran great, good sound, but those 4 bolts per cylinder just S******!!!!!!! It also kept blowing out gaskets in one cylinder per side. What a PITA.

But, I would do it again, as the FE's have weak exhaust ports, and do respond favorably to headers.