1979 Ford E-150 Headers
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1979 Ford E-150 Headers
High...I gots myself an 1979 E-150 Chatuea its got the 302 in it with a 4 speed OD manual tranny. I bought it with 88,000 original miles on it and so far ive removed the smogg pump and 86'd the cats and muffler for a glasspack. Very good easy upgrades that ended issues i was having with stalling out and extremely poor performance. I am now looking to put some headers on this rig and am seeking some help in what will fit. Ive been having troubles finding headers for a 79 E-150. Anyone out there that could point me in the right direction??
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Wow--talk about a hunt for the obscure stuff huh? 
I'm completely unfamiliar with that body/chassis/engine combo but I'd suggest looking for something from the same year and engine fitting an F-Series--often times they can be fitted without a lot of problems.
I don't know this is even possible but its where I'd start. It might be no one ever made headers for a '79 Econoline.
Maybe try the forums dedicated to the F-Series of that same era---should be someone with a bit of knowledge in this sort of refit.
Best of luck!
I'm completely unfamiliar with that body/chassis/engine combo but I'd suggest looking for something from the same year and engine fitting an F-Series--often times they can be fitted without a lot of problems.
I don't know this is even possible but its where I'd start. It might be no one ever made headers for a '79 Econoline.
Maybe try the forums dedicated to the F-Series of that same era---should be someone with a bit of knowledge in this sort of refit.
Best of luck!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 419
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From: Lakefield Ontario
As for the headers, good luck! You are into something custom made from what I remember of that era!
As for the poor performance, headers will not fix what you have done. In fact if your engine has gotten worse by reducing back pressure, it will get worse with headers. You need to tune what you have now. Start with checking your timing and advancing a few points at a time till it pings, then back off till it stops.
But most likely your carb is the issue. You cannot lose with a Holley or even better and Edlebrock!
As for the poor performance, headers will not fix what you have done. In fact if your engine has gotten worse by reducing back pressure, it will get worse with headers. You need to tune what you have now. Start with checking your timing and advancing a few points at a time till it pings, then back off till it stops.
But most likely your carb is the issue. You cannot lose with a Holley or even better and Edlebrock!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
As for the headers, good luck! You are into something custom made from what I remember of that era!
As for the poor performance, headers will not fix what you have done. In fact if your engine has gotten worse by reducing back pressure, it will get worse with headers. You need to tune what you have now. Start with checking your timing and advancing a few points at a time till it pings, then back off till it stops.
But most likely your carb is the issue. You cannot lose with a Holley or even better and Edlebrock!
As for the poor performance, headers will not fix what you have done. In fact if your engine has gotten worse by reducing back pressure, it will get worse with headers. You need to tune what you have now. Start with checking your timing and advancing a few points at a time till it pings, then back off till it stops.
But most likely your carb is the issue. You cannot lose with a Holley or even better and Edlebrock!
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So the alterations ive mde s far have worsened my rig? Since ive done my tinkerings ive seen it go from 8-12 mpg to 13-17mpg and the power is farrr better than when i had it with the cats street muffler and EGR system. But yeah i definitely want to put a 4 barrel in it like a holley or an edelbrock. Any suggestions on a good model to drop in?
thanks for your help!
thanks for your help!
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 369
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From: BC Cana'duh
I run stainless shorties in my '83 E150 351W as I've been unable to find a set of longtubes that fit.Mine is a 4x4 conversion though.The F-series chassis is different from the E-series.I've tried F-series 4x4 LT's on my van and they don't fit.It's too tight at the doghouse opening. 
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
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From: Thornhill , Ontario
I think 550-650 Cfm's would be a good place to start...vacuum secondaries with a manual choke ...what intake do you have on it ?
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From: SE Florida
Re-read the first post. He said what he did fixed his poor performance. Now he wants to make it perform even better.
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Hooker Headers 6910HKR - Hooker Competition Headers - Overview - SummitRacing.com
I ran them on my old 74 e300. Fit nice. When it was a two wheel drive auto, and when It was a 4x4 with a 4 speed manual.
I ran them on my old 74 e300. Fit nice. When it was a two wheel drive auto, and when It was a 4x4 with a 4 speed manual.
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68 BRONCO HEADERS FIT THESE VANS!!!!
So i know this post is old. This was an old account of mine that i got locked out of. but i will get everyone some info on how i made the headers work that i never was able to get any info for. Now Believe it or not i did find a set of headers that worked with the 79 e-150 with the 4 speed! the headers that work with this setup came out of a 68 bronco no lie! They fit perfectly and clear the clutch assembly on the driver side and no have plenty of room on the passenger side. i ended up dropping in a fresh mild cammed 302 with a 4 barrel into this van after the stock motor gave out and goddamn was it kickin! Sadly i dont have that beauty anymore but she was one hell of a sleeper! The headers dual glasspacks underdumped sounded magnificent and nobody would see it comin! Plus it was great livin in it the 6 months i did 
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Sorry for digging this one up, but what are those shorties for? Have a part number?
I have an 83 with a 351w and the stock manifolds just suck for flow....
I have an 83 with a 351w and the stock manifolds just suck for flow....
I run stainless shorties in my '83 E150 351W as I've been unable to find a set of longtubes that fit.Mine is a 4x4 conversion though.The F-series chassis is different from the E-series.I've tried F-series 4x4 LT's on my van and they don't fit.It's too tight at the doghouse opening.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Those shortys are for an F series pickup. I replaced the manifolds on my 96 E150's 351 with a set of shortys for a 96 F series 351. And if you do, do this, get a set that are coated to reduce the heat transferred to the engine cowling and floor. I bought coated and there's zero heat transfer.