Hey, I'm 14 and in the middle of my first ford build up (1979 4x4 with 69 351w). I bought some custom fit headers for my truck but the bolt pattern was way different. Can I get headers that will fit my truck AND my engine, and if not (sucks that i will have to get rid of the 69 heads due to their high compression),what years of heads used the same bolt pattern as the 79 351w. Any help on this subject would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

I'm not totally sure on the small blocks since I gave them up years ago for the big torque monsters (460 or bigger)...but are you SURE you didn't buy headers for a 351M-400M instead of a 351W
?


Deen Hylton
Ford F250 460 C-6, K&N, Headers, Dual Exh.,Comp. Cams,Shift Kit
Pioneer CD w/Bose Speakers.
Other Passion: Blown 77 Corvette (Sorry Guys/Gals)
How I can afford to Drive the above: 93 GEO Metro

 

I agree, I dont recall any changes in the smallblock (W) exhaust bolt pattern, only a change in head bolt size in '77 or so. Id check the application, maybe the wrong headers were put in the right box.

Nathan

 

Thanks. The bolts on my new headers, insteaad of being straight across from one another, they are kind of staggered (one on top, then, one on bottom, so on and so on). Is this what a 351m is like? Do you really think I have the wrong ones? Hope this info helps. Thanks.

 

I got the impression those year trucks with 4x4 never came with 302/351w. Only 351m/400. So, you won't find standard headers for that year with a 351w.

 

You guys are right. Their the wrong headers. I'll send these back. I know the factory exhast manifolds suck so what should I do. What are the best headers that will for my setup?

Thanks everyone.

 

I forgot to mention that yall were also right that the 351w did not come in the 79 f-150. thanks again

 

You might try small block shorty headers; they might fit- used stock Mustang headers are easy to find for a test fit, then you can buy the better aftermarket ones if they work.

 

What about headers for a 302. I think they would have the same bolt pattern.

 

I think this post is old but maybe you'll see it. I'm pretty sure the windsor changed bolt patterns on the heads in "74" or on the first year of the egr valve. At least I know the intake bolt patterns are different between pre-egr and egr.