anyone out there really familiar with a 72?
#1
anyone out there really familiar with a 72?
I have a 72 Ranchero. What I want to know is: Did ford use the SAME trans crossmember for the 351/C4 combos and the 429-460/C6's, or are they different? I know there are 2 sets of holes on the frame for either, but really I want to know if there is a difference. I am *hoping* they are, since my crossmember (from a C4) doesnt go up high enough in the arches to let the dual exhaust through. Thinking that a BBF/C6 may have higher arches. Thanks
#2
#3
do you have a 351W or 351C? i didn't think any came factory 351/C4? it would've been an FMX. i've had a handful of 72 torinos and rancheros, and stripped a few more cougars and montegos but no 429/460's. all were 351's. all crossmembers were the same, and i've never heard of a different one for different engine/trans combos. what exactly do you have going on that your exhaust is too high to go through the humps? i have a 351C/C6(was FMX) with 4V 1 7/8" supercomps that go right through the humps. i've had Casler headers, and some 2V's that also fit fine. from just sitting here trying to guess, the only thing i can think of is if you have a 351W with 302 headers, they will end too high. same thing if you have a 351M and Cleveland headers, the difference in the deck height of the engines will set the headers higher in the chassis. so what's going on?
#4
Thanks for your input. Here is the situation: The Ranch came with a 351C/C4 setup. I dropped in a 460/C6. There is only 1 header that fits this app (Hooker 6126). The headers come down and end about 1 1/2" before they get to the crossmember. They are 3" header collectors running to 3" straight pipe. I need either the headers to go down (kind of impossible) or the x-member to go up. There is not room to bend the exhaust pipe (been to 3 different shops). I am using the C4 x-member that came with the car. So, I am wondering if the Big Block/C6 combo had a different x-member with HIGHER arches for the exhaust to get through. As of now, I had to severely cut the x-member to get the exhaust out, and it has weakened the structural integrity of the beam.
#6
#7
Just looked at my 72 Ranchero with 400/C6. The trans cross member seems to have a about a 2-3 inch hump where the pipes go under. Now I had a 69 'bird and as I recall the trans x-member was completely flat no humps, can you go over it?...but then you're looking at ALOT of heat on the floorpans. Can you turn it over? That's a long way back for headers to go. The collectors would be at the trans pan! I was looking at putting in a 514 but this makes me skeptical. hope this helps
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Chris Guthro
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
12-11-2013 07:39 PM
nordvik72
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
30
12-05-2009 02:07 PM
Hotrodder
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
01-03-2005 02:49 AM