Problems installing tri-y headers on a 66GT

Gold72GS · May 20, 2005

Hi all,
We are attempting to install these headers. My buddy bought them in 1988 and finally got them Jet Coated and ready to go. We tried to install the passenger side, but while it goes in OK, if we bolted it up, it would be smashed against the shock tower and also into the floor pan. We didn't even try the driver side yet! The car is a '66 GT A-code, 4 speed that he bought in 1976 from the original owner. The instructions that came with them said nothing more than jacking up the motor a little for the left side. Nothing at all for the right side. There is no way these are going on without some serious BFH work. The car is too original and nice to do that! The head pipes looked like they were only a few years old, but they are originals! The company that made them is called Pro Products Inc in Rancho Cucamonga, California. No phone number or street address. They may not even be around any longer, they were purchased 17 years ago. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem is? It is almost like the engine needs to sit higher for the headers to clear. Thanks,

Brian

gjz30075 · May 20, 2005

Sounds like the wrong set of headers. They should fit in from the bottom with minimal juggling. I'd ebay them and get a proper set.

302 coupe · May 20, 2005

yeah I think you got a bad set, or a wrong set. My tri-y's fit great.

Gold72GS · May 20, 2005

I have been wondering if they are correct........ I wish he would have test fit them BEFORE he spent around 300 bucks to get them coated! So none of you guys that are running tri-y's had any issues with the installation? Boy it fits right in there until you get it lined up, and then no clearance in those places! I thought that I had heard about some problems with tri-y's, but it's been a long time. Maybe it is the manufactuer. Does anyone live around that area and if so have you heard of the company? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks,

Brian

D.Hearne · May 20, 2005

If you sell them, try some of the V8 Ranger sites. The Shelby type Tri-Y's work great in Rangers, better than the Stangs they were designed for.

Loup-garou · May 20, 2005

Pro Products also makes (made?) Mustang cowl repair kits or patch panels.
I don't know if they're still around, but here's the contact info that I Googled up:

Pro Products
10096 6th St., Unit L
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
909/989-6627

I'm inclined to think there's a problem with the fit, not a parts mixup. Until just a few years ago, the only Tri-Y application was for the Ford 289/302/Mustang combo. Doug Thorley may have made a few non-Ford sets, but I'll bet that the above is the only configuration ever made by Pro Products.

Gold72GS · May 20, 2005

Loup-garou said:
Pro Products also makes (made?) Mustang cowl repair kits or patch panels.
I don't know if they're still around, but here's the contact info that I Googled up:

Pro Products
10096 6th St., Unit L
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
909/989-6627

I'm inclined to think there's a problem with the fit, not a parts mixup. Until just a few years ago, the only Tri-Y application was for the Ford 289/302/Mustang combo. Doug Thorley may have made a few non-Ford sets, but I'll bet that the above is the only configuration ever made by Pro Products.

I looked at it again, and I think you are correct. They are right, but the fit is just lousy. Thanks for the info. I will have my buddy call them. Right now he is still in deep shock over probably having to buy another set! I will try the V8 Ranger guys, I would think they have more space to work with. We are going to try one last effort this weekend to see if there is a solution. I'm not holding my breath! Thanks,

Brian

D.Hearne · May 21, 2005

I'm running Tri-Y's in my 89 Ranger, they fit like a glove. Doug Thorley also made tri-y's for the Fox body Stangs too, I've got a spare set hanging in my shop that I bought off ebay. They're nothing like the Shelby types though, in design, other than they're tri-y's. My Ranger's tri-y's are also ebay items, nickle chromed, but no brand name anywhere on them, I've no idea who made them, but the workmanship is top notch.

Loup-garou · May 22, 2005

D.Hearne said:
I'm running Tri-Y's in my 89 Ranger, they fit like a glove. Doug Thorley also made tri-y's for the Fox body Stangs too, I've got a spare set hanging in my shop that I bought off ebay. They're nothing like the Shelby types though, in design, other than they're tri-y's. My Ranger's tri-y's are also ebay items, nickle chromed, but no brand name anywhere on them, I've no idea who made them, but the workmanship is top notch.

I've been thinking of putting a set of the Thorley Tri-Ys on my '65 Fastback. What's your impression of the build quality?

Also, how is the nickle plating on your headers holding up? The Thorley headers are available with either nickle plating or a ceramic coating, but not "uncoated" (which would be my preference, as the chrome plating has to be chemicially stripped before Jet-Hot's coating will stick).

I don't mind heat discoloration, as long as the nickle does a good job of preventing exterior rust.

D.Hearne · May 22, 2005

Loup-garou said:
I've been thinking of putting a set of the Thorley Tri-Ys on my '65 Fastback. What's your impression of the build quality?

Also, how is the nickle plating on your headers holding up? The Thorley headers are available with either nickle plating or a ceramic coating, but not "uncoated" (which would be my preference, as the chrome plating has to be chemicially stripped before Jet-Hot's coating will stick).

I don't mind heat discoloration, as long as the nickle does a good job of preventing exterior rust.

Like I said previously, I have no idea who made them, or when they were made ( the Shelby types on my Ranger) but the nickle plating has held up fine for the year or more that I've used them. Well worth the $85 i paid for them. I've also got a set of FPA shortys on my 68 Merc's 390, they're also in fine shape after nearly two years of daily use at first for about a year, and now after just starting it twice a month, the chrome on them still looks good. The Doug Thorley tri-Y's for a Fox body I have are also used, and the chrome looks OK, not show quality, but they're not about to rust out anytime in the next 20 years( or more) I've never had Jet-Hot coated ones, but after these two sets of chromed ones, I'm not so sure the J-H ones are worth the extra cost over nickle chromed ones.

Problems installing tri-y headers on a 66GT

Gold72GS

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302 coupe

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