I have searched the forums and still can not figure this out. Maybe I'm not typing in my question right or I just can't make sense of what I'm finding...

Background on the truck... 1988 F250 5.8L W, 5spd, 4x4, 8600 GVWR. It has all the emissions hooked up and working. I average 12-13 mpg with mixed driving. If I do interstate only pulling an old truck bed trailer with a topper on it I get 10 mpg running 70-75 mph. From what I have read my MPG are typical. I have to use 4th gear to keep that speed going up any hill. I need to replace the oil pan gasket and both valve cover gaskets. So I will have to pull all that wiring and emissions crap apart to do the valve covers.

Here is my question. Will Mustang 5.0 shorty headers work on this truck? Is this a good idea or not? I can get a set that are new for a good price. My thought is they have to be better flowing the the stock manifolds. The truck will be kept stock for now, maybe a cam upgrade in a few years. The truck runs good but I need new exhaust. I was thinking that I could remove all the emissions as the Headers do not have the ports for them in them like the factory manifolds do. I am planning on removing the cat, running true duals and keeping the oxygen sensor in the factory location as I have read that if I don't it will cause issues on a Speed Density EFI truck. I feel the truck will benefit from a full exhaust upgrade. I am not looking into spending $400 on just the headers. Any help would be great. I mainly use this truck to drive to and from work. About an 90 mile round trip. I do use it to pull trailers and load up with wood, ect for doing stuff around the house. My feeling is it's a truck and will be used as one. Thank you for any help guys.

 

 

Not to sound like an *** but in my first statement I clearly stated I HAVE used the search option. Lets see I have tried Many different ways to phrase my question. Just no way of coming up with the proper answer. It appears that a few guys say the shorties will work. There are recommendations to use long tube. Quiet a few people with fitment issues. Even one guy who gave up on headers and went back to factory manifolds. I have found that Pacesetter gets high complements on there headers for being a great fit. I can go on but it's a waste as for I still haven't figured out a correct answer only partial tid bits. I know it's a well talked about issue just I'm not phrasing the question properly in the search option.

 

There are like 3 exhaust threads a day asking the same questions.

Mustang headers will FIT but will NOT bolt up to the trucks Y pipe. You will need a custom Y pipe to use the mustang shortys.


I searched and found these few in like 2 mins.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-on-f150.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html

 

I thank you for the links but I am running a 351W. I now know there is a big mix of feelings on shorties or longtube headers.

 

No they wont line up with the stock Y pipe.


I would go with longtubes in your situation.


BTW I see you ride. Are you on atvriders.com?

 

Not a member of atvriders.com, I'll check them out tho.

I will look into long tubes. My last set only lasted a few years, wich is why I am going more towards shorties. Thanks for the help.

Now it's time to read Ford Fuel Injection and see how much the emissions crap plays with the computer. As I want to rid myself of it if I can. I know a bit but I need to know more. The quest is on!!! Like a fat kid looking for cake.

Thanks for the help. I'll have to try searching the whole internet!! LOL