And what headers from other motors fit? Sounds like those from a 302 may.
I just got a nice Holley 80457 4 barrel and a nicely opened up intake...wondering what header size I should get to just open it up a bit...not building a street rod...

 

I would not run headers if it where me, they are not worth the trouble with making them fit up. The 302 headers usually do not fit because the 351w is wider than the 302. If you must run headers, I would try the shorties for the later model trucks that mate up to the stock y-pipe.

 

I second Dave's statement, but do so from a very limited experience point of view. I've been around two of of these trucks with headers - Ray's 302 and Bruno's 351W. I haven't looked at how Ray's fit, but Bruno's make access to the plugs almost impossible. And there is absolutely no way to do a compression or leak-down test. It may be that other brands fit better, but that experience soured me on headers.

 

My first hand knowledge on the fitment of headers in Ford trucks is limited to the FE series engines, but even the cheap Flowtechs fit well.

 

If you do get some, let me know how they fit. I am a little skeptical on getting them because I can't see how they are going to fit past the clutch fork sticking out my tranny. I would imagine that it would make doing simple maintenance on your truck very difficult though, as a few on here have stated.

 

When I was replacing an exhaust manifold on my 86 (351W) I tried a Mustang shorty header on the driver's side. Would have had to indent the firewall brace for clearance, which I didn't do. Kept the stock manifold.

 

hey I put a set of stock headers off a 93 mustang on my 84 f150 with a 351w in it & i'm about to swap them out with a set of hookers & a true dual flow master set up.

 

This is a 4wd truck. The Y setup-would you still use that, or, would I have to go to a rear gas tank, pull the front one, in order to go with duals?

 

I don't know if there is any difference in the Firewalls between Bullnose and Bricknose trucks. but this is the current setup on my 88 Bronco. I'm running Headman Elite Full-length headers to a custom y-pipe. It's a full 3in stainless system. I have a single Summit electric cutout next to the t-case, followed by a Flowmaster 40 series...exiting out the the stock location. 358W, C6 trans.

There's not much room to run true duals on a 4wd. The T-case, and in the F-series case...the front tank also gets in the way. You could run both side-by-side on the passenger side. But the more bends you have to make, the less efficient it will be...Efficiency equals power.

My Headers...Headman Elites


Right side when I was putting it together.


...And the Left side.


Right side close up.


Collector location.


Y-pipe, Cut-out, and Muffler locations.




Exit Location.


Hopefully this helps...It sounds great for having a FloMonster on it. Some install notes...Can't install from above, Have to work them in from underneath. You can install the left with the front driveshaft in. But I HIGHLY recommend pulling it. I had to cut a wrench down real short and grind down the open ends thinner...Not much room by the Heater box to work with. and it's real close to the firewall. I can post a sound vid if your interested.

 

So, I think I'll bag the headers, would a mild cam and/or different heads give me more low end hp? I want it for hauling wood, not for speed...

 

This can be accomplished best with gearing. Leave your engine stock, or swap out for more cubes/longer stroke.

On the subject of headers, I used Hooker long tubes. Fit well, work well, but there is an interference issue with the shifter lever on a C6 auto.

 

I have a c6 and 3.55 gears...

 

x2 on headers, every vehicle I have ever worked on in the last 31 years with headers had at least one if not multiple exhaust leaks (maybe the self locking exhaust bolts have remedied that). And for low end torque, keep the stock manifolds, lack of backpressure (headers) will effect low end torque.


gears will definitely help get you into the powerband and stay there, albeit it can be expensive, but if you search on craigslist you can sometimes find direct swap axles with 4.10s (at least around here) and you can sell your old axles to recoup some of the cost.

 

What is your price range? I'm looking at Home fenderwell exit for my 85. They are pricey.

 

That should say mad dog headers, not home.