My old headers are completely rusted out and burn the spark plug wire boots to where they would become brittle. Eventually I get arcing through the boots. Part of the problem was the old rusty headers and part of the problem was the very minimal gap between the header and spark plug/ boots.

With this info in mind can anyone recommend me a good set of ceramic headers that have a good clearance for cooling? Would I need to also wrap them?

 

I would recommend wrapping the headers if you're running into problems.

As for header recommendations, I think Hooker makes some of the best products, but if you want to go a little cheaper, I think flowtech makes a set that are about 30 bucks cheaper than hookers. This is going off of summits page.
1987 FORD F-150 5.0L/302 Ford small block Windsor Headers - Full-length Header Style - 4WD Drivetrain - SummitRacing.com

 

I was just looking at the Hooker Ceramic Headers.

The only concern I have is the headers currently in the truck are Hooker. They aren't ceramic but I had years of trouble with them. The original owner or installer actually took a ball-peen hammer and bent out notches for more clearance which didn't help.

Do the 5.0s have trouble with headers burning spark plug boots? or maybe its just because mine weren't ceramic coated?

 

I put Pacesetter shorties on my '89 F150/302. They are no where near the plugs/wires, been 6 months now without issue. I bought them painted, then had local coater do them so I have a nice warranty that is actually usable.

 

What heads are on your motor?

 

I've got the Pacesetter Shorties on my 351w right now and I don't have a problem either. I think they are very nice quality. The instructions that came with mine were ridiculous. They wanted me to remove a whole bunch of stuff, intake too if I remember right. I just took off all the plug wires and slid them in though with no issue. I also have all of the emissions stuff off of mine so I had to plug the little tube that was on the end.

 

Big thing was the intake support bracket that was on the right manifold. They give you a piece of tin to make it work. The other is the oil dipstick tube, same issue with mounting location being slightly lower due to header flange.

In all, not a bad install. Don't recall reading any of the instructions. I usually just delve into it and go by common sense.

I ordered them as "summit brand" headers, they came in Pacesetter box. Them and coating was cheaper then buying them coated. Like I mentioned, I have a local guy and the warranty is better and likely much easier to deal with then sending them back to ????

 

Is ceramic coating necessary? My exhaust manifolds may need replacing soon and I've been thinking why not replace them with shorty headers if I have to replace them anyways. Now my truck is just a daily driver 5.0, would the ceramic coating be that beneficial?

 

Stock Heads.

 

What would be the benefit of long headers vs short headers?

I like the looks of the long headers but don't want to deal with spark plug wire problems.

I guess I can assume that with brand new ceramic headers long or short I shouldn't have any problems with my spark plug wires burning. Is that correct?

 

good info. i'm also wondering, because i'm about to put a reman long block 5.0 in my '93. i'm leaning towardsthe ceramic coated hooker long tubes. i read not to install them on a new engine because it WOULD damage the coating and void any warranty. the engine is from auto zone and is a surefire brand. they advertise the engine as being hot run tested for 30 minutes. is this considered broken in and will i be okay to install them when i install the engine? sorry if i hijacked your thread, NOT my intention.

 

Good question. I ask that myself, when running a stock engine period. I bought a truck once with headers & they were a pain in the a$$. I see no big advantage to headers vs stock exhaust manifolds on any stock engine. To pay $400-$700 for them is crazy. Its not like you install them & you gas mileage increases 2-3 mpg. If a set would increase my stock F 150, 4x4, 302, 5 speed, 3:08 gears from 17-18 mpg now, to 20-21 mpg I might think about it.
Craig

 

I have Hedman ceramic coated shorties on my truck no problems with the wires.

 

I ended up buying Flowtech 32502FLT from summit. They were 369.95 with free shipping. Long ceramic coated headers.