Hedman Hedder install w/pics
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I'd they just never tested the fitment of the headers on an Ex. The SD was made in larger quanities for a longer peiod of time than the Ex so.... If it were my money I would buy a set and go from there. My gut tells me you will not run into any major issues. With a WB of 137" I'd say the Ex is built on a reg cab SD chassis. At least call Heddman.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 23
From: Somewhere in Alaska
Quick update: I noticed I had a pretty good exhaust leak today on the way to work. So I crawled under at lunch and took a look. All the collector bolts were loose, and a nut was actually missing from each side. This is after I tightened them twice already. After a little inspection I realized that it was probably a poor decision on Hedman's part to ceramic coat the nuts and bolts, as the coating was flaking off the threads. So, I ran to the local hardware store and picked up a half a dozen tension nuts (crimp nuts) and installed them after work. Hopefully that's the end of the loose collector bolts.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 23
From: Somewhere in Alaska
During normal driving, as far as I can tell, there isn't really any difference in either the tone or volume of the exhaust out the tailpipe. Inside the cab, there may be a slightly lower overall tone to the combined engine/exhaust sound, and there may be a slight reduction in volume. But, honestly, it's really not that noticeable.
At this point, I'm trying to drive like I usually do to see if/how MPG's were effected, and that's been pretty difficult so far. I find myself tending to use too much right foot a lot of the time because it's so much easier to make this big ol' truck move now. Sure, it's no top fuel funny car. But allowing it to breathe better has really woken this thing up in all RPM ranges.
At this point, I'm trying to drive like I usually do to see if/how MPG's were effected, and that's been pretty difficult so far. I find myself tending to use too much right foot a lot of the time because it's so much easier to make this big ol' truck move now. Sure, it's no top fuel funny car. But allowing it to breathe better has really woken this thing up in all RPM ranges.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
im drooling...i have a slight leak on my drivers side manifold where i'm missing 3 studs. been putting this off for awhile since it goes away once it gets any heat built up. i was going to just fix the studs but the idea of more power has me re-thinking that idea!
great writeup and pics!!!!!!
great writeup and pics!!!!!!
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Tuned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 23
From: Somewhere in Alaska
Sorry to hear about your ebay headers, Art. I don't remember... did you use header wrap?
Let us know how the install goes on the new headers. You might want to ditch the ceramic coated bolts right from the start. I think that coating is just too slick to keep them from loosening up. I haven't had any more issues with the collector bolts since I put the tension nuts on. I did keep the collector bolts, but most of the coating had already flaked off before I installed the new nuts.
Maybe you can take some better pics than I did. The iPhone doesn't do a very good job in low light.
Let us know how the install goes on the new headers. You might want to ditch the ceramic coated bolts right from the start. I think that coating is just too slick to keep them from loosening up. I haven't had any more issues with the collector bolts since I put the tension nuts on. I did keep the collector bolts, but most of the coating had already flaked off before I installed the new nuts.
Maybe you can take some better pics than I did. The iPhone doesn't do a very good job in low light.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 420
From: Long Island USA
I am definitely going to try to take pics of the install, but I thought you did a fine job!
Thanks for the tips
What bolts did they supply with them? Specifically, the ones to bolt them to the heads, and how did you like their gaskets? I have a habit of putting a coat of high-temp RTV on header gaskets, and have never ever had a header leak as long as I keep torquing the bolts for the first month or so.
Thanks for the tips
What bolts did they supply with them? Specifically, the ones to bolt them to the heads, and how did you like their gaskets? I have a habit of putting a coat of high-temp RTV on header gaskets, and have never ever had a header leak as long as I keep torquing the bolts for the first month or so.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 420
From: Long Island USA
Oh, and the header cracked right at the weld just before the collector. They ground down the weld to make it look pretty, I guess it had too much snot, and they actually went too far, it looks like. I'll be sure to take pics of that, too
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Tuned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 434
Likes: 23
From: Somewhere in Alaska
The manifold bolts that Hedman supplies are nothing special, just standard small-cap six-point header bolts. I've put a wrench on 'em a couple of times since the install and after the initial seating, they seem to be staying in place. I didn't use any sealer on the manifold gaskets, but it certainly couldn't hurt. The gaskets that they come with are a medium thickness fiber gasket, no steel.
I could have spent a few extra bucks and upgraded to locking header bolts and better manifold gaskets, but I figured I'd give the factory hardware a try first. I try not to spend extra money if I don't have to. Besides, I can always swap out the hardware later if it becomes an issue. So far, only the collector and CAT flange bolts have been an issue.
EDIT: Found a picture of the manifold gaskets on Hedman's website. It's part number 27580. The description on Summit's website says they are an acrylic bound paper gasket developed for Hedman. Take that for what it's worth.
I could have spent a few extra bucks and upgraded to locking header bolts and better manifold gaskets, but I figured I'd give the factory hardware a try first. I try not to spend extra money if I don't have to. Besides, I can always swap out the hardware later if it becomes an issue. So far, only the collector and CAT flange bolts have been an issue.
EDIT: Found a picture of the manifold gaskets on Hedman's website. It's part number 27580. The description on Summit's website says they are an acrylic bound paper gasket developed for Hedman. Take that for what it's worth.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: FT. Rucker AL
You did a good job with this. I really hope to beable to do this to my truck and add a 5 star. Continue to let us know how it goes. How or if there is any fuel mileage change, any other issue with bolts or anything of that nature..
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 4
From: Lubbock, Texas
With 3 weeks seat time...how about an update! Any change good/bad on fuel mileage? Any towing trips? I did the ebay headers with bad results and getting the itch to try again. I believe Headman headers are what Mike 5star used to perform his dyno testing!