Hi, newbie to this forum, but not to the site. Asking this question over here because I'm tired of replying to the "why don't you just do a frame swap" guys over on the Slick forum.

Truck is a '61 F-100. Engine is a 302 out of a '72 Stang. Used the cheapo angle iron/pancake mount kit at first, but after several years I'm going to change it out to the full crossmember version. Tired of the pancakes collapsing.
When I installed the motor I couldn't find any info on what headers would fit the frame/engine combo. Like I said, most of the Slick guys wanted me to do a frame swap, and I want to keep the straight axle stuff.
Jegs and Summit sell headers for a 350 SBC swap, but nothing for a Ford in a Ford.
What headers did you 289/302 guys use when you did your swap? Mustang? Fairlane? T-bird?
Oh, I'd prefer the long tube style to the block hugger, if at all possible.

 

Welcome to our neck of the forum woods. For long tube SBF headers, I don't think there's too many options. Headers for the early Mustangs/Fairlanes from most header makers I know all interchange. And until you get up to the Fox bodied Mustangs of the 80's/90's, I'm not sure if you'll find much of anything as the 70's cars weren't popular hot rods. I think most guys around here use stock manifolds or short tube headers. Sanderson makes some nice stuff for Fords in a Ford, but not in long tube. The good news is you should have plenty of engine compartment space in a '61, but you still have the steering box to work around. I'm guessing you're going to be looking at the old 'trial and error' method until something comes along that works. Keep us posted. Good luck.

 

You might try L&L Headers in Texas. I used their long tube headers when I installed a 460 in my '66. Don't know about your application but they might be worth a call. Good luck!

 

In my gallery there are pictures of both headers I used from a 92 Tbird 5.0L. They are tubular stainless tucked into the block with exits in the rear facing down. They clear a C6 with plenty of room, but you have to use a late model permanent magnet starter because they are a lot smaller in diameter. I had my scrap yard headers ceramic coated in silver color and of course put in new studs for the exhaust pipe attachment.

 

Sanderson headers has a couple styles of blockhugger headers for your truck. They're pretty helpful, and could tell you if their full length headers would work on your application.
Their pretty pricey though.