Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Installing Headers on an FE

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 11:50 AM
  #1  
BigBoy73's Avatar
BigBoy73
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Installing Headers on an FE

Hey, I just rebuilt a FE motor that I was "told" is a 390. I'm not 100% sure and haven't gotten a chance to figure it out yet, let alone know how to. My question is it is still outside of the truck, has anyone ever had trouble putting on headers whether they be shorties or long tube and what kind of trouble I might run into with certain brands? I'm looking towards BBK or Hooker. Thanks for your help
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 11:59 AM
  #2  
NW 150's Avatar
NW 150
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Assuming this is going in to a 150/250 4x4, I'd look at flowtech headers. Had them on my 390 in my old 75 F100 and they fit fine and were easy to install.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 01:37 PM
  #3  
BigBoy73's Avatar
BigBoy73
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Yupp, they are going into a 1973 f-250 4x4 for clarification.
 

Last edited by BigBoy73; Feb 22, 2015 at 01:37 PM. Reason: Left out information
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 01:58 PM
  #4  
somethingclever's Avatar
somethingclever
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 323
From: SW PA
Originally Posted by BigBoy73
Hey, I just rebuilt a FE motor that I was "told" is a 390. I'm not 100% sure and haven't gotten a chance to figure it out yet, let alone know how to. My question is it is still outside of the truck, has anyone ever had trouble putting on headers whether they be shorties or long tube and what kind of trouble I might run into with certain brands? I'm looking towards BBK or Hooker. Thanks for your help


You rebuilt the engine but don't know what size it was? Yikes!



I have had good luck with the hookers in that configuration. Pretty thick flanges and thicker (wall) primary tubes.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 02:19 PM
  #5  
longview1's Avatar
longview1
Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie, AB
Originally Posted by somethingclever
You rebuilt the engine but don't know what size it was? Yikes!



I have had good luck with the hookers in that configuration. Pretty thick flanges and thicker (wall) primary tubes.
I was thinking same thing, how did you rebuild not knowing??
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 02:27 PM
  #6  
gatorfor88's Avatar
gatorfor88
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 3
From: Panama City
Could be a little noisy at start up. Wont last long if it is though.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 02:29 PM
  #7  
BigBoy73's Avatar
BigBoy73
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I apologize for that mishap as well, I am still new to engines and terminology and often step on my own tongue a fair amount. Still very very ignorant. The proper term I should have used was bought and maintenanced little things as far as fuel pump, rear main swap, sump pump, etc. As far as my questions and threads I post, I will still probably sound like I don't know what I'm talking about for some time to come because I really don't know much yet. This forum really helps me learn. But I bought it with the guy telling me that it was a 390, but when I went to buy a new clutch kit, it called for a 12-inch clutch and the one on it was an 11-inch clutch with a 1.8" pilot bearing, which is where my confusion is with the motor. The exhaust on the truck is nonexistent and I would be running it off the manifold when I get it put in, and there is my question about that body style and its front end set up if I would have certain troubles as far as trying to use a long tube header vs. a short tube header. Any help is greatly appreciate
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 02:35 PM
  #8  
gatorfor88's Avatar
gatorfor88
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 3
From: Panama City
Lots of 360's turn into 390's when it comes time to sell them. As far as I know the only way to tell is to measure the stroke.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 02:38 PM
  #9  
BigBoy73's Avatar
BigBoy73
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by gatorfor88
Lots of 360's turn into 390's when it comes time to sell them. As far as I know the only way to tell is to measure the stroke.
Would I need to disassemble the motor to find that out? Or is there another way?
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 03:32 PM
  #10  
BigBoy73's Avatar
BigBoy73
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by somethingclever
I have had good luck with the hookers in that configuration. Pretty thick flanges and thicker (wall) primary tubes.
Long tube? Short tube?
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 04:20 PM
  #11  
somethingclever's Avatar
somethingclever
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 323
From: SW PA
Long tube chassis exit fit well in my experience.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 04:36 PM
  #12  
BigBoy73's Avatar
BigBoy73
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by somethingclever
Long tube chassis exit fit well in my experience.
Thank you very much, that was what I was hoping for!
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 04:52 PM
  #13  
bkaul's Avatar
bkaul
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
Originally Posted by longview1
I was thinking same thing, how did you rebuild not knowing??
No joke!

If you still had it torn down, I'd say just measure the bore and stroke - it's easy to calculate displacement volume from there. If you still have your old pistons, you could measure their diameter for bore. To measure the stroke, if the engine's already assembled, the easiest thing to do would be to pull the oil pan and do it from that side.

How did you ensure you had the right parts without knowing what engine you were rebuilding?
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 04:55 PM
  #14  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by bkaul
No joke!

If you still had it torn down, I'd say just measure the bore and stroke - it's easy to calculate displacement volume from there. If you still have your old pistons, you could measure their diameter for bore. To measure the stroke, if the engine's already assembled, the easiest thing to do would be to pull the oil pan and do it from that side.

How did you ensure you had the right parts without knowing what engine you were rebuilding?
Read post #7.... the OP misapplied the term "rebuilt".
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2015 | 04:58 PM
  #15  
BigBoy73's Avatar
BigBoy73
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bkaul
No joke!

If you still had it torn down, I'd say just measure the bore and stroke - it's easy to calculate displacement volume from there. If you still have your old pistons, you could measure their diameter for bore. To measure the stroke, if the engine's already assembled, the easiest thing to do would be to pull the oil pan and do it from that side.

How did you ensure you had the right parts without knowing what engine you were rebuilding?
I do apologize, this is my first rodeo here and I'm working on learning. In post #7 I describe my situation a bit better.
 

Last edited by BigBoy73; Feb 22, 2015 at 04:59 PM. Reason: Missing info
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:26 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE