Hey guys,
I know this has been asked before but I want to see or hear about how you routed your exhaust on your 351m/400 with chassis exit headers. If there's no real good way of doing it then let me know.

I bought a set of headers for $30 at the u-pull it and they are real close to the starter and both are pointing at the tranny crossmember and will require tight bends in the exhaust to go over the crossmember on the passenger side like I would want.

I also have a good set of manifolds and y-pipe. The y-pipe looks to be really free flowing.

Basically I'm wanting to see pics of these style headers and the exhaust routing but mainly I'm wondering if the manifolds with thhe good y-pipe would be better than the headers with the tight bends to get over the tranny crossmember.












Obviously I wanna run headers because they look sweet and probably sound a little better. But like I'm wondering will the exhaust routing required negate the benefits as far as power, sound, looks. I also dont wanna replace starters every month.


Thanks
-Justin

 

both exhaust pipes have to go down the pass side I had duals 2.5 but I later changed it to single 3" but the duals followed the same path up to my collector see it here in this thread. mine is automatic don't know if that changes anything for you.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...t-systems.html

 

don't know if this helps. I can't post a pic but i installed Hedman headers my 351M with A/T. The only issue I had was the collector tube interfered with the shift linkage. A piece of 1 inch hard plastic rod and a few gentle taps on the collector made a dent just large enough for the linkage to pass.

It is a snug fit on the right side past the starter but it does work.

Fire me off an email and I'll send you some pics.

Regards

 

I know mine is a tight fit at the starter, Had to remove it to get them in and once there in its a pain putting the bolts back in to.

 

Since you are right there in the build just craigslist the headers and get you some fenderwell exits and be real happy.

ALOT of routing issues and heat on the starter, let alone maybe having remove the header to change starter, maybe?

Also maybe some front drive shaft issues? I did with a 4x4 1/2 ton chassis exits once and only once, never again.

 

I've got headers on my 390 and went up and over the crossmember and down the right frame rail. Here's a pic of the intermediate pipes... the one on the right is laying on its side.



Your collector adapters have some extra tube length so welding directly to or at least very close to the flange will gain ya some distance from the crossmember. I used mandrel bends and tubing from a Jeg's street rod kit. EZ.

IMO, the exhaust routing isn't super critical and can bend all it wants through a set of good mufflers. Think of it as a garden hose... so long as it's not pinched or otherwise restricted and it'll flow fine... Avoid going under the crossmember since that totally kills ground clearance and a pinch or restriction will only be a tree branch or protruding rock away. Doink!

 

Thanks for the pics and info so far guys.

77&79 I want fender exits but I'm on a very tight budget.
I was looking at the Hedman Elite's which are about $300 a while back.

Are the headers I have even worth anything. Gonna be painful to chop my new inner fenders I ordered.

Probably just run manifolds and the y-pipe for now and then get the fender exits down the line.

 

I understand tight budget and HIO Silvers info sounds correct as far as routing.

I have no idea about the quality of them? But for $30 ya can't go that wrong.

The rest of your work is looking read good, and if you do get fenderwell exits you only have to trim a 2x8 piece off the bottom edge.

At least I had to when I put some Hedman's on my F250.....

 

I have hedman full length headers on my 78 bronco that took some creativity, but work fine. Starter clearance is not an issue and there is plenty of room for a heat shield or exhaust wrap. I havn't bothered with either because it has not been an issue as of yet, Tailpipe routing is a challenge though. The passenger side goes over the crossmember and the drivers is under. They both go to a y-pipe into a single muffler.
Hope that helps.