header problems

[jerry S]

My long tube Hookers comps never really fit right. They were hitting the left side shock tower and have to be replaced. I called to Hooker and found out that the super comps would have the same dimensions (in other words, fit just as tight) so they are not a solution. The first set of Heddmans I bought were even worse. Before giving up totally on long tubes, I was wondering if anybody could intelligently opine on Doug's Headers. Doug's makes a full length header that looks like it has a smaller profile than my Hookers. These are D-669Y. Y, meaning that they are a 3Y design.

Does anyone know if these are a better fitting header for people with problems fitting long tubes? If not, does anyone have some good alternatives?

 

[jerry S]

Anyone? Anyone? Would these be better fitting headers than my Hookers or Hedmans?

 

[SoCalCruising]

Hi Jerry, I think it's the "intelligently opine" part that stifles replies. Nearly scared me off, too. But, here goes: I have Doug's on my '66/331 (not same type - mine is for a clutch car) and the fit is really very good. They fit nicely at the shock tower and up against the tranny tunnel - as well as the factory dual exhausts did. We don't have the same year car, the headers are different models (I shouldn't have replied, huh?), AND Doug sold the header business to Pertronix (http://www.dougsheaders.com/index.htm), so I don't know if the designs/quality is the same now - I bought mine from Doug when he was in Anaheim.

So, this may not even be helpful, and subject to much ridicule - I really shouldn't have replied, but my experience with Doug's headers has been excellent.

BTW, I assume you are running a c4 tranny (doesn't say in the "all about my car" stuff) 'cause it looks like it doesn't work on much of anything else.

 

[jerry S]

So, this may not even be helpful, and subject to much ridicule - I really shouldn't have replied, but my experience with Doug's headers has been excellent.

BTW, I assume you are running a c4 tranny (doesn't say in the "all about my car" stuff) 'cause it looks like it doesn't work on much of anything else.

Direct experience allows you to intelligently opine in my book. Thanks for sharing the benefit of your own experience with me. I guess I will give D a call and see what they say. I called to Summit and could hear the tech flipping through some catalogs while he was hemming and hawing.

I have a C6. According to the 2005 catalog on the Petronix site, the long tubes I am looking at seem to fit all C6 equipped early model fords with a 351W. I hope they can tell me that they have mocked up these headers on a 69 mustang with a C6 and they fit.

thanks again.

 

[SoCalCruising]

One fitment chart I checked (on your behallf) had a note that those headers did not fit cars equipped with a C6. However, the Doug's catalog indicates that they do fit with a C6. Yea, I'd check with them, first.

 

[jerry S]

One fitment chart I checked (on your behallf) had a note that those headers did not fit cars equipped with a C6. However, the Doug's catalog indicates that they do fit with a C6. Yea, I'd check with them, first.

I finally got through to Doug's after 3 days of trying. The tech guy told me that they do not make headers that would fit my application. I guess it is either going to be Ford Powertrain long tubes or shorties.

 

[SoCalCruising]

I played phone tag with them once, too (the Pertronix people). Once I finally got hold of someone, they treated me well. I just think the new tech people are stretched more than the original Doug's Headers people were. Sorry about this. Ford Powertrain people make nice headers, though. Just pricey.

 

[GoinBroke]

The FPA's are hign $ but I installed mine through the bottom with everything on the car but the steering rack. It would have been easier to tie them inside the car before the engine drop. I did have to make a ding of about an 1/8" near the idler arm but overall the fit is great and they do not hang as low as the hooker's. Let me know if you want pics of the clearances.

 

[jerry S]

The FPA's are hign $ but I installed mine through the bottom with everything on the car but the steering rack. It would have been easier to tie them inside the car before the engine drop. I did have to make a ding of about an 1/8" near the idler arm but overall the fit is great and they do not hang as low as the hooker's. Let me know if you want pics of the clearances.

I would be very grateful to see some pictures since we both have 1969 Mach 1s with 351W engines and edlebrock heads (or equivalent). Your set up is nearly identical to mine and the header fitment should be close or identical. If you cannot post them, you can send some by email. I will send you a pm with my email address.