so a little bit about whats happening with my new exhaust components.

the truck:
1966 f100 custom cab long bed
352 C.O.M.
2wd

I'm installing Patriot ceramic coated specific fit headers. long tube, thick 5/16 flanges, nice ground weld beads around each cylinder. a very quality piece. the ceramic coating is ok. but servicable for what i paid for the headers.

so after having these headers in my shop for 2 years waiting to go on, i finally have the time and extra car i need to take my truck down for a couple days (daily driver). my old headers were a cheap flimsy rusty set that the PO installed because his manifolds were cracked, junk and they hit the pass side motor mount and leaked, cracked...etc. the ticking and drone from my old setup was driving me up the wall. so i bought these to replace them along with a set of Porter steel pack mufflers.

removing the old headers was pretty standard, but when i went to install the new headers the space proved too small. i was able to slide the drivers' up from the bottom without incident but could not get more than one bolt hole lined up as it hit the motor mount tower and wouldn't rotate down far enough. and the pass would not go in at all .

so i unbolted the engine from the perches and lifted it with a cherry picker. to be able to get the engine up high enough to slide the header in i had to remove both heater hoses and the brake booster. bingo the header slid in on passenger side, and iwas able to put on the drivers side. i planned on spacing the drivers side mount up 1/2 and inch to allow the header to clear the perch. it kind of worked but the pass side got real close, and i didnt like it. so i pulled the mount off and it looked like if i flipped the mounts around it would push the motor back at least 3/4 of an inch. flipped all three and voila! plenty of clearance at all points.

i guess when the motor was pulled and rebuilt the PO put the mounts in backwards? which worked but was off enough not to allow the headers to fit. so im not quite done yet, due to a recent medical problem i can only put like 3 hrs a day in on the truck, so im getting it done slowly all week. but ill snap some pics and post them tomorrow or the next day to show the fit.

they clear everywhere-- the steering(1979 f100 power steering) the crossmember, cteering box perches, frame, e brake bracket. so a good option for headers.

sorry for the novel but hard to find reliable info on stuff like this, so wanna make it a bit easier on the next guy.

matt

 

That is great that you figured it out and got them in. There is nothing worse then racking your brain trying to make something fit that is SUPPOSED to fit but then doesn't.

Good Work.

D

 

pictures as promised, the headers are completed but still have heater hoses and little button up stuff to do. hope this helps!!

 

Tons of room, did you start it up to let the neighbors hear it roar?

D

 

just now, its pretty raucous. good thing the exhaust shop is only 20 miles away!!! doh!

matt

 

Haha worst case scenario is bolt the collector on with a bottle muffler and the drive will be a touch quieter. I ordered my pipe from Napa and went to a local shop and just had them bend it where i wanted and the just welded it up in the garage.

D

 

Just found this thread.
Thanks Mattrod for the pics.

I to have a 66 f100 with the same power steering and have been thinking there is no way headers are going to fit, drivers side that is.

I will look into Patriot headers.

Any chance you have the part number?

Thanks,
Aaron

 

h8406-1 is the ceramic patriot model number.

 

Thank you sir