Just curious.. I've been searching and seem to get mixed results, is there a shorty header that is made to bolt right up to the exhaust piping the same as the stock exhaust manifolds do?

The reason I ask, is because I have the stock cast iron exhaust manifolds on my 302 engine in the 1982 F100 but all the exhaust has already been replaced with true dual 2" pipe. I hate to have to modify the newer exhaust piping if I don't have to.

 

If not, you can always fab a short adapter...

 

I talked to a guy at Doug's Headers and he confirmed my understanding - shorty headers are supposed to be a bolt-in replacement for the factory manifolds. So, that's what I'm thinking about going with on Dad's truck.

 

I too am probably going to go the shorty header route. I haven't found a long tube header that doesn't hang way down under the truck yet. That I can afford that is!

 

Thanks Gary..

I'm planning on getting a set, but want to make absolutely sure before I do. I know it'll definitely boost the performance of the engine. I kinda wish someone else has done this so I don't have to be the guinea pig..

 

Most shorty headers are made for the newer fuel injected trucks. So when you look them up, you might have to plug in a later model. I don't see why they would not fit though, but you usually have to plug a oxygen sensor hole in the header collector.

 

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g9035
That URL is for Summit Racing shorty truck headers.
Typed in 1989 F150 5.0
They also have:
Hedman
JBA
Flowtech
Pacesetter
BBK
Gibbson

 

I put in the Summit shorty truck headers two years ago. As many others have said before, the ones you get are the Pacesetter brand.
I hoped they would bolt right up to my existing exhaust system, but they didn't. It was really close, maybe 3/4" difference between where the factory manifold flanges and the shorty flanges are located.

It would have been okay if my dual pipes weren't welded together. Just a little bit of wiggle room would have allowed everything to bolt up. I almost thought I could bend the pipes to get them to connect.

If your duals are not welded together, I think that will give enough adjustment range to make it work.

 

That's what I was worried about. I really don't want to buy a set of shorty headers only to find out that I've got to do some modifications to the exhaust. I've still yet to see a 'These headers work perfect' thread. I don't think I've been able to find one yet..

 

Any type of header usually requires some tweaking in my experience to make them fit. Even the factory y-pipe for my diesel I bought(made by Walker) needed a little tweaking to make it fit up correctly to the exhaust manifolds.