I have an 84 F350 Automatic 4x4 with the 460. I think my factory manifolds are pretty rusted out and leaking exhaust. I'm not very handy myself and I don't want to pay an arm and a leg to replace them. I know there are a lot of options out there but what would get the job done in my case for minimal cost/labor? If headers are to intrusive is swapping out the manifolds for new ones pretty straight forward?

If it matters I do plan on doing a full dual exhaust as well.

 

I would stick with the stock exhaust manifolds. They fit better and last longer. Everything will be rusted though, so expect some hassle in replacing them.

 

Rounded off bolts are likely going to be a problem.
Having a welder to weld nuts onto those bolts that break is a lot easier than trying to use an easy-out or other method on the broken ones.

Cast replacement manifolds are under $100 delivered on Ebay.
Best access is through the wheel well if you jack the front and take the wheels off.

I put 1 3/4" 3/8-16 stainless bolts when I changed my engine.
They will not round off or flake apart.

Dorman makes brass nuts for the headpipe flange studs.
If you are swapping manifolds and don't need to save the studs, an impact gun and long extension is easiest on that end.

 

I really would prefer headers at some point... does anyone have any suggestions on a brand/make on an 84 460 4x4?

 

No, No you don't. All the headers available for your truck are JUNK. Your manifolds are 30 years old. You would be hard pressed to get 5 years from the headers available

 

Ok well does someone make reproduction manifolds? Or do I n Ed to find them in a junk yard and hope I can find a good set of something?

 

Autozone has the driver's side for $219 and the pass side for $189. You can probably find them cheaper on RockAuto Parts Catalog or ebay. Try Amazon too.

When you go to rockauto write the part numbers down. They are good to use when searching on the other sites and on the web.

 

Wow!
They are under $80 a side delivered from Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/460-7-5-Ford-F250-75-76-77-78-79-80-81-82-83-84-85-86-87-Exhaust-Manifold-RH-/371191213558?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item566cb86df6&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/460-7-5-Ford-F250-Truck-1975-1987-New-Exhaust-Manifold-Left-/271672117931?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f40eb8aab&vxp=mtr
Or buy the pair...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/460-7-5-Ford-Truck-75-76-77-78-79-80-81-82-83-84-85-86-87-Exhaust-Manifold-Set-/271691694913?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f42164341&vxp=mtr

 

They make adapters to use 454 chevy headers. 454s were put in a lot of trucks, and I'm sure you could find a set that would fit. Hot Rod magazine mentioned them in this months issue. I have L&L headers, and have never had a problem with them, but they don't make them for these trucks, and my truck was modified to make them fit.

 

There is no problem finding them. Most everyone sells them. I just don't like how the whole thing ends up hanging down under the truck. Here's a expensive set from jegs.

Hedman 89348, Hedman Hedders Elite Ultra-Duty Headers | Hedman

 

Oh, I thought he couldn't find some made for his truck. Well, I'd recommend getting a set if you'd like to get a little more power out of it.

 

L&L Used To make a nice set(I have a set) but it looks like they no longer make them

 

How did you end up hooking up your exhaust? I worked with a guy that had a 460 in a Bronco, he went with fenderwell headers. But it was a playtoy.

When I ran headers on one of these trucks, I found the header outlet hung way down below the tranny pan. I would either have to go across to the pass side UNDER the frame and meet up with the other pipe, or go UNDER the frame to the driver's side and run the pipe outside the frame to miss the gas tank.

I contemplated running the exhaust low the whole way back but caught myself, I have done that before and it looks terrible from the side of the vehicle with all that pipe hanging down where you can see it. Plus it will get caught up on everything.

I decided to put a 90 on each header outlet and run each side under the frame till I got outside the frame, where I could 90 to the rear and point it up toward the body at the same time. This minimized the amount of pipe hanging down.

But guess what? I am out in the woods getting firewood, and run over a stump in the ground. It gets hung on the header hanging down and it starts leaking. Did I say before I do not like headers on these trucks?

If you are building a street machine/play toy, it probably will be ok except tranny pan access.

 

Shorties, block huggers????
A good exhaust shop can make that work, but longtubes in a 4x4 is always going to be a problem.

 

Mine are long tubes and I made the exhaust on the truck myself

Took a couple of hours but it is high and tight(would of been nicer if I had a tubing bender) and have never had it get hung up on anything and I used to go 4 wheeling with it all the time