Hey folks!

I usually try to do a little research before firing off uneducated questions, but I can't find much info on this one. I've been wondering about ramshorn exhausts: Why are they so cool? What did they come stock on? What will they fit on? Are they on my truck now (stock '60 F100 with a 292)? If they're not on my truck, would it improve performance to get some? Advantages/disadvantages? Anybody have pics of them? Thanks, and please try not to laugh too hard at my cluelessness!

 

They were the stock exhaust for some large trucks that had the 292 and 312 motors. I'm not sure which year they first appeared, but I know for sure that many 62-64 F-600's had them. I've heard of them being in school buses and dump trucks, and I found a pair in an airport fuel truck.

They did not come stock on the earlier Y-blocks in the smaller trucks, but they will fit all those earlier 272, 292, and 312's.

Many of the big trucks (F-600 and so on) in 1955 and 56 had a Lincoln based engine that was different from the typical 272/292/312 engine, and so if they had ram horns, they will not fit a 272/292/312. One way to tell is by the alignment of the mounting bolts. The "Lincoln style" rams horns on those early big trucks have mounting holes that are diagonal from each other, like / \ / \ . Rams horns for a 272/292/312 make a straight line across all eight holes, like - - - - - - .

I think the main reasons they are popular is that they look cool, they are sort of stock, they eliminate that pesky crossover pipe, and they aren't that common. Since they dump straight down, they clear the truck's stock steering box, which the Y-block car dual exhausts will not do, and thus give you a good Ford OEM solution for a dual exhaust set up. You may have to move your oil dipstick to clear them.

I've heard guys say that you can get better performance for less money with one of the aftermarket header set ups. The cheapest I've seen ram's horns go on ebay lately is around $350, while you can get headers for around $200.

 

Thanks Rob. Good info.

 

Added some photos to my previous post so you can see how nice they look. If memory serves, that beautiful engine is Kevin Bigwin's here on FTE. I'm going to try and do mine up the same way.

The ram horns look especially good on vintage hot rods, and since the Y-block is enjoying some new interest among rodders these days, I'm sure that's helping drive the price of them so high.

 

I got mine off a 64 F600 dump, same place I got the 292HD with the forged crank. They are also used on COE's.
Repops are now available at $600/pair. Street rodders will ruin the price of anything these days!

 

I like the Ramhorns because they don't give off that tinny sound that tubular headers do, plus have that oldy look.

 

I'd like to get rid of the crossover also......BUT

I am not going to give 300-400 dollars for a set of cracked (or about to crack) rams horns. If I do go to a double exhaust I'll just get a new set of headers for my F-600 too! Mid-Fifty has them for about $300 I think.

 

Yea, I saw some on ebay and the seller says right up front that they're cracked. He's still asking I think $250 for them. I know an aircraft mechanic with a magnetic particle inspection machine, those things are cool. I'm thinking if I'm lucky enough to find some ram's horns and talking the seller into checking them out before I buy them, a case of beer will buy me some time on the mp machine.

 

Most people use them to get a clean, "stock" dual exhaust system. From what I have read, ram horn dual exhaust if used with heads with larger valves is said to increase horsepower by 10-15 hp.

Just to add one thing to the great comments by F250Rob. There are other Y-block dual exhaust manifolds that are fairly easy to come by, they are from Y-blocks that were installed on cars, they are not ram horns. The problem is the location of the steering on our trucks prevents these from being used, so don't let some cheap set of Y-block manifolds on E-bay tempt you.

I think the ram horns look really cool and were worth the money. I have some photo's in my gallery also.

 

Good info Walston, thanks! BTW, that's a beautiful '60 you have.

 

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<HR style="COLOR: #666666" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->I did a search and found the info that everyone is wanting. The part # for the tin gaskets that includes spark plug and all in one from NAPA is MS15095. The book calls for the application 1958-64


They run in price around $35.00 for the pair.

Service letter P-405 dated november 5, 1958

Spark plug heat shield (1958 292 engine)

"A new spark plug heat shield (B8T-9448-A) became effective in production on 1958 292 engines approximately June 17, 1958, and is available for service."

"The new shield is a one piece metal stamping and acts as an manifold to cylinder head gasket. It also protects wires and rocker cover gaskets from excessive manifold heat, preventing premature failures."

I do remember there is a NOTE in the gasket book these gaskets (Two styles one with the shield and one without). The only y block I've ever seen with these on it from the factory was a 1958-1960 C-600 cab over. Which makes me believe they were designed for these trucks because of the high under cab temps.

Hope this helps everyone,
Kevin Bigwin

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hmm, I assume the site is screwing up again...

 

ok, there it is...bigwin's post was all garbled the first time i saw it...

 

Here is a pic of the engine I race in a 56 f100, by the way both of these manifolds were repaired and held up very well. I'm currently running long tube headers on this truck now.

Note the heat shields between the manifolds and valve covers.

My big window and 56 panel both have rams on them and like I said this used to have them on too.

Kevin Bigwin

 

That's a beautiful motor Kevin. Thanks for the info.