New guy needs header clearance info

4MuscleMachines · Jul 21, 2005

I have three Mustangs and two have header clearance issues, the same on both. I purchased Hooker long tube SuperComps and the collector is literally about 3/4 inches from the ground. Yes they are lowered (Pro-Touring type cars) but I do not want to lose much power with shorty or tri-y headers. One is a 70 Boss 302 Mustang, the other is a 65 GT Fastback with a screaming and stroked 427windsor. The 71 Mustang 351 stroker Boss is fine clearance-wise with SuperComps.

So which do I have to buy? Which are the absolute best quality? I need more ground clearance at the collector

Thanks,
Frank

mrfomoco · Jul 21, 2005

Mine for my 70 mach 351w w/a t-5 came from a place in washington state...top notch... i had tried the super comps, the reg. comps, dynomax, and ford racing...none fit except these, i belive they were called fordpowertrain, but i will check.

Max Power · Jul 21, 2005

How close are the collectors to your floorboards? Your car just may be sitting too low for full length headers.

I have a lowered 69 fastback with a 393 and I went with Heddman elite shorties. I have been very happy with them.

iskwezm · Jul 21, 2005

Hookers always hang low due to the angle of the collector and the size.My buddy goes throgh a set every year or so and wont raise his car.

4MuscleMachines · Jul 21, 2005

The cars are lowered about 3" at least. The collectors always scrub the pavement when driving around on a road that is not perfectly flat. You should see the condition of the mufflers, one side looks like a crushed soda can. I put alot of money into the engines and want to use a set of headers that will capitalize on that and not bottleneck the motors.

302 coupe · Jul 21, 2005

is that a Bud Moore intake on the '70?

4MuscleMachines · Jul 21, 2005

Good eye my friend, yes that's a Bud Moore Mini Ram intake. The little 302 Boss dynoed at 446Hp at the crank. Its got a Richmond six speed and TCP all around. Just need the interior and wheels and its done. The pic I posted earlier is the car right after the paint and assembly, here are a few more.

SitDown · Jul 21, 2005

Id give George Klass a call, he can make u a set of big tube headers to fit your requirements, and for well under the typical costs of custom long tubes

http://www.accufabracing.com/exhaust.htm#HeadBolts

I was in a similar boat needing a high flow header to fit in my 65... theyre quality pieces and are well worth the extra $100 over the price of the off the shelf hookers

4MuscleMachines · Jul 21, 2005

What size collectors are those? What size motor and HP rating do you have>? They look nice..have you installed them to check the ground clearance? I know I have to spend extra, but I don't mind if they perform, fit well, and have good ground clearance.

Thx,
Frank

68RCodeConv · Jul 21, 2005

Talk to FordPowerTrain. www.fordpowertrain.com

SitDown · Jul 21, 2005

4MuscleMachines said:
What size collectors are those? What size motor and HP rating do you have>? They look nice..have you installed them to check the ground clearance? I know I have to spend extra, but I don't mind if they perform, fit well, and have good ground clearance.
Thx,
Frank

3" coll, 1 3/4" prim...current 331 makes 350/370rwhp/tq NA, but will eventually see 500+rw w boost. Parts pending, so the 331 still sits in another running car, but I have mocked up the drivers side on an old 289, and didnt see ground clearance being an issue...

4MuscleMachines · Jul 21, 2005

SitDown said:
3" coll, 1 3/4" prim...current 331 makes 350/370rwhp/tq NA, but will eventually see 500+rw w boost. Parts pending, so the 331 still sits in another running car, but I have mocked up the drivers side on an old 289, and didnt see ground clearance being an issue...

What about shock tower clearance, any rubbing?

1969mach1351 · Jul 21, 2005

Have you thought of cutting off the collector and just welding it? My buddy has long tubes with 3 inch exhaust on his lowered 66 nova, thats what he did. He was backing up on a road that had a little peak in the middle and a road dot grabbed the collector flange and bend the header really bad all the way up at the engine which cause a major exhaust leak. I was suprised it didnt screw up any of the bolt holes in the aluminum heads. I'm sure you are going to scrap no matter what long tube you use. This way you dont have to worry about it catching on anything.

Since you say collector and not flange, maybe you've already done this. Like the one picture has.

4MuscleMachines · Jul 21, 2005

Yes, I thought about it but its ceramic coated and will ruin the finish. I guess its off to Ford Powertrain.com

dennis112 · Jul 21, 2005

As far a ground clearance goes, my Accufabs are great with my 393 and Vic Jr. knockoff heads in my 65'. There is less than an inch of clearance at the frame support, where the firewall becomes the floor pan. They seem to tuck up as high as the oil pan. I could not say that about my previous conversion headers from Tubular Automotive. The clearance sucked.

As for shock tower clearance, well, it is a little tight--not much you can do when the engine compartment was designed to be so tight. In the past I dented offending tubes but these headers seemed to be designed better than those. In the end, I decided to dent the shock towers instead to increase the clearance. It was easy to do (with the engine out) and is easily reversible if I ever wanted to make it appear stock again.

Edbert · Jul 22, 2005

As far as quality of a mass produced header I think JBA is pretty much at or near the top, plus he's (Jim) a Mustang guy (1967-GT500).

I have no issues with my Hedmann Elites, but I don't have the radical lowering you have. 3 inches is a lot, you might just be too low for any off-the-shelf long tubes.

iskwezm · Jul 22, 2005

1969mach1351 said:
Have you thought of cutting off the collector and just welding it?

That would be the wrong thing to do on many levels.Have you ever tried to replce a header gasket with the weight of a whole exhaust pulling on the header?????Some ass clown wanted to do that with mine because he didnt want to straighten the flanges,as much as I pull my engine out to clean,that would have pissed me off the very first time.

Click to expand...

dartthower · Jul 22, 2005

i have FPA headers on my 69 mach1.they have never hit the ground. they are a bit pricey. but i think they are worth it.

STSFCTN67 · Jul 22, 2005

I had to go with FPA because of my PITA GT40P heads. They are pretty snug and have never bottomed out but currently have a stock height

New guy needs header clearance info

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