headers or not
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeland Ms
headers or not
Guys, I am a newbie to this board, and although I can do a few things, I am basically mechanically challenged...I have a 1990 Big Bronco with a 351M..fairly stock, I use it for occassionally playing on the trails, and pulling a boat...my questions, what are the advantages of headers over stock exhaust? are there any, from what I have heard, if I change to headers should consider JBA shorties...would appreciate input...thanx...Pete Haley
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento
headers or not
From what I've read headers do help. Some people have bad experiences with sealing at either end and some (like me) haven't. For a truck the best is a tri-y design with about 1.5" primaries. Small tubes keep the low rpm velocity going and boosts the low end torque. Full length ones are better performers than the shorties, but may not be emissions legal(if concerned). Advantages are:more hp & torque, tad bit better mpg's, potential for a good sound, and they usually look cool too.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Saraland AL
headers or not
Headaches, I mean headers, are a good source of power. The pro's and con's have to be considered before going this route because you can't half do it.
PRO'S; better flow than manifolds gives more power and sometimes MPG. Don't have that stupid donut gasket. Don't have studs that rust up or break off.
CON'S; can be difficult to install. New exhaust pipes and cats will be needed. Radiate more heat than iron manifolds, makes for hot starter sometimes. Take up more space than manifolds, this makes starter jobs difficult.
TIPS; Use stainless steel bolts (don't use the crappy short header bolts) 1 1/4 " long with lock washers and anti-seize. Also use stainless nuts and bolt on the pipe flanges. Coat both sides of gaskets with anti-seize, this will help them seal and they won't stick if you need to remove them later. Get ceramic coated or stainless headers if you can afford them, the painted ones always rust. Wrap them with thermal wrap if heat becomes a problem.
PRO'S; better flow than manifolds gives more power and sometimes MPG. Don't have that stupid donut gasket. Don't have studs that rust up or break off.
CON'S; can be difficult to install. New exhaust pipes and cats will be needed. Radiate more heat than iron manifolds, makes for hot starter sometimes. Take up more space than manifolds, this makes starter jobs difficult.
TIPS; Use stainless steel bolts (don't use the crappy short header bolts) 1 1/4 " long with lock washers and anti-seize. Also use stainless nuts and bolt on the pipe flanges. Coat both sides of gaskets with anti-seize, this will help them seal and they won't stick if you need to remove them later. Get ceramic coated or stainless headers if you can afford them, the painted ones always rust. Wrap them with thermal wrap if heat becomes a problem.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 2
headers or not
1990 w/a 351m? You sure it's not a 351w? And yes, Headers are a good investment. Just don't buy the cheapest thing out there. Remeber you get what you pay for. From what I've seen/used Hedmans hold up well. Depending on where you live and emissions laws you could probably get away w/no cats and a throaty set of flowmasters 
