Anyone running headers on their 48-50 flathead? Will Fentons fit in wtihout shimming the engine? Thanks. Keith.

 

Im running with a pair nickle platedheaders from Red's. They fit like a glove. Havent tried Fenton's but rumor has it they are a perfect fit as well.

Larry

 

Larry;
Thanks. Good looking truck. Looks like you still had the original exhaust manifolds in the photo. Did you notice any difference in performance with the headers? I'm carrying a 2000 pound (empty) utility box around, and seem to be a little sluggish on hills.......Keith.

 

Atta Boy Keith!

Come over to the darkside!!!!

 

I'm running the nickel plated tube headers also. What you'll find is airflow restrictions since an engine is basically a big air pump.

When you install headers (which is a great idea) the back end will begin to flow upwards of its capacity. Next you'll notice the stock carb becomes the restriction at a cfm around 160-180 depending on the particular model you use.

Next step then will be a new 4bbl intake for a 390 Holley carb (which is about the max a flatty can move) This is the point I'm at.

Performance-wise, you'll find the flathead to be similar to a six cylinder with it's long stroke to bore ratio. They take some time to wind up in stock form, so don't expect head-snapping or seat of the pants performance improvements from adding headers. But they are a great place to start and the sound.........ahh, the sound!!

 

Tim;
Thanks, I think I'll go with nickel or chrome plated tube headers. I haven't decided whether or not to use mufflers.... I may just plumb directly into my 4" stacks. Or I may use Smithy's, I think that they are about 3 1/2" od and will adapt into my 4" pipes.
To feed the beast I'm planning to go with multiple 2 barrels (probably 2 is all the 239 can handle, but 3 LOOK so good!).

Fergie;
Yeah, I guess it's the "dark side". When I found this truck, I was actually looking for something to rod; it's just that, with only 2000 miles on the F68, I couldn't bring myself to chop it up. But the plan always has been to add on a little bit of speed equipment, and to modify the water-tank. The tank/box is well on it's way....some chrome and stuff to add now. And seeing that the factory original exhaust pipe has a little kink causing a restriction, I'll now allow myself to 'upgrade' the exhaust. Oh, and although I've replaced the original single pot master brake cylinder with and identical one, I find the braking to be a little on the slow side, so I'll be 'upgrading' to a dual pot power unit. And so it starts...I know......soon the truck will be unrecognizable as what Ford created.
Fergie, good for you, glad your truck is progressing well. Careful talking about you UTD online, the feds use snoop software to catch phrases and words!

Thanks all, for all the help.......Keith.

 

*blush* belive it or not those are the nickleplated headers...the performance was negligable. The price was substantially lower then the fentons which was a big part of the decision.

Totally agree with MTFLAT on the sound. After playing around with a couple of different mufflers I settled on dual pipes with cherry bombs...she now has a very low rumble.

 

Larry;
Sorry about that.......I guess I should wear my glasses. I'm really old, even older than Fergie, and we all know how old he is! I don't think that the appearance of the exhaust manifolds/headers is all that important on one of these trucks......you have to practically crawl in to see them.
Thanks........Keith.

 

Keith,

Dont be sorry, just young!!!

Been trying to keep her stock but there are somethings I just couldnt do with. I swapped out the old oil filter for the screw ons, replaced the inside of oil bath air filter with an element and got rid of the vacume wipers before they got me killed.

The headers and cherry bombs where the fun part!