Hey Folks,

hope all are well!

bit of a update on my truck,

I got the electrical system working, we completed the half done 6-12v conversion and everything works (cept wwipers & heater).
will get to them soon.

The motor is a 8ba 239 V8. the 8ba is on the heads.
Both exhaust manafolds are cracked and leaking pretty good. this thing sounds like a tank going down the road!

My question would be, 2 fold,
Is the 8ba engine a car motor instead of a truck motor?

if so, what exhaust manafolds should I be looking for?
Not sure what other manafolds would fit.

My drivers side manafold pipe goes under the oil pan to the pass side, then straight back.

Reason I'm asking i found afew on ebay, found a few sites that sell them
ex; F-Series Truck Exhaust Parts

Little dearborn mentions the part number for the truck manafolds is a
7rt-9430.

I'm really just not sure what to get here and have been pondering
Reds-Headers as well.

My mechanic shop says he can do the dual exhaust but suggested I steer clear of headers for durability.
If I go dual and cast iron manafolds, was thinking this:
Dual Exhaust Manifold; fits - 1949-51

any suggestions on what type manafolds I should get
(cause im not sure the correct 51 truck manfolds would fit the passenger engine (if that's what I have).

Definatly want to go dual exhaust if I can.

Thanks a bunch for any guidance!



T

 

Ford cast iron you have fentons (which I have on my '47 car), I've heard of fitment issues from the speedway ones so if you can find older ones with the part numbers on the back they're good.



Flathead dual exhaust manifolds - THE H.A.M.B.

49 50 51 52 53 FORD MERCURY FLATHEAD EXHAUST MANIFOLD RIGHT SIDE | eBay

 

For your truck, you want truck manifolds. Car manifolds have a different shape and connection that may not fit as well as the correct parts. They'll fit fine on your 8BA block, since the exhaust ports are the same. I've heard good things about Red's Headers, Ross has them on his truck. The reviews are they're a high quality part and fit good. Fenton's have always had the reputation of not fitting at the steering box in trucks, but work great in cars.

 

Fenton never made headers that fit BonusBuilt trucks. I got a pair free, and tried very hard to make them work, they just won't clear the steeering box. Not sure where you live, but unless it's very wet (i.e. rust) headers will last a long time.

Car manifolds are different, but will bolt up. I have a set in good shape I'd sell. I don't know if the stock crossover works on trucks.

8BA heads are usually considered to be better than 8RT heads. There are many trucks running 8BA parts.

 

Hey Guys,

thank you for the suggestions ( and the links).

Merc, you mentioned Reds headers,

I have read some positives on that brand vs the fentons,

what my mechanic buddy said was that headers never fit, leak and are prone to rusting out quickly.

I guess what I'd like to know (reguarding Reds Headers ) is has anyone experienced problematic issues with Reds reguarding installation, leakage and life expectancy.

Also the Reds Exhaust kit, was bout 400+ dollars came with headers, pipes, mufflers and all the nuts bolts and gaskets, sounds like a nice package, not sure If I can get just the headers and do the rest cheaper though.....

I think I really want to go headers, I've NEVER owned a vehicle with them, but I know all my buddies have fought to keep them from leaking and such.
My brother hates them now, but (on his 71 bronco) he drove it like he stole it and went to Nags Head a Lot, so salt mud and rust ate up like egg rolls!

But with all that said, I really just want a decent dual exhaust that dont leak.

Any of you folks with Reds Headers have any information I'd be greatly apprecaited.

I have a car show I'm attending Friday with the "after sitting 20 years it's a miracle it runs truck", I'm hoping to get some local parts leads as well. Lots of older gentlemen there with a nice assortment of 30's 40's and 50's rides.

Thanks guys!

T

 

I have Red's Headers on my 49 F1. Perfect fit around steering box.
Sound good with Smithys. Get Red's pipe from header to muffler too
it makes it a lot easier.

 

As Wayne mentioned, I bought Red's Headers for my truck, after reading many recommendations for them on the Flathead Forum (for both cars and trucks). I bought the headers and the "extensions", which are about 2 ft long and get you to about the end of the cab.

Everything absolutely bolted up without any prying, filing, grinding, or other problems. The extensions clear everything perfectly. The headers are nice thick steel tubing, welds are nice-looking, the flanges are thick and seal perfectly with no drama. In other words, they are what you'd hope for.

 

Hey Liljohn320,

Did you install them yourself?
how about leakage, were they hard to get to seal up on the heads and pipes?
How long have you run them?

Sorry to hit ya with the questions but if I can do my self and they seal fine and live long, I'd be fine, I dont drive this truck every day anyways right now it's just a weekend crusier if that.

Thanks for the reply, please let me know any details, I'd like to have my mechanic do this (if I can't) and let him know i've got folks who run them with no issues. (if possible) so I dont get a earload of crap!

T

 

And if you're really worried about longevity, step up and get the ceramic coated versions.

 

Hey Merc that's a good point. Probably helps with the heat too?

 

Absolutely a piece of cake. Believe me if I can do it anybody can.
The toughest part is tail pipes. You can curve them around and have
them come out in front of rear wheels. If they need to come out at
rear of truck it's a little tricky getting them over rear housing. Brake
lines and shocks make it tight. Pipe bends can be bought at any auto
store and welded together. I don't think tail pipes are available anywhere
that I know.. Good Luck

 

Hey Guy's? No one has mentioned the Rams Horns here? Or have ya? I thought they where THE truck manifolds to get if ya didn't want after market.

And I got a kick out of the lead in on one of the ads.

Toward the end of the Ford Flathead era, the cops and track racers all knew that if you were chasing a Ford, you’d better be in a Ford. Most law enforcement and emergency vehicle suppliers chose the Ford with its powerful V8, and with these specially built cars came high-performance exhaust systems. These manifolds are the single most effective way to increase horsepower through vastly improved exhaust flow, because the key is changing the stock single-exhaust to dual-exhaust.

 

Ram's horns are a Y-block thing.

 

That's right Ross. It's kinda funny that everything with me seems to be Y-block or FE. I haven't had a flat engine since I was a kid. I sure want another one. But not much on this rock.

 

I just put headers on my 52 F3 239 Flathead from a company called Flatheaders. They fit great and sound even better and were only $150. Since I put them on, I have a set of very good condition exhaust manifolds that are now sitting in a box waiting for nothing. I'll be taking them to the carshows to try and sell them unless they get bought up before then