Hello all, I'm getting ready to put the 302 back in the truck for the last time (I hope ) I am working thru pulley issues, clutch & brake issues and now the header issue but I know someone has been here done that before So this is a 302 ford ,MII front end ,rack and pinion steering and 4 speed manual , the question is: what headers are you guys useing ? I have a tech question to Sanderson re: their FF2 model it dumps to the rear vs the center. Your input ??

 

I have a 48 f1 with a 347 Stroker engine (302 Roller Block) and a Mustang II IFS, and I use Hooker Long Tube headers - Part Number 6907 HKR. These are equal length long tube headers with 2.5" collectors . The original application was for early to mid-eighties F100's and F150's. Your 53 application should be very similar. I will try to post a picture of the engine here, and if you want pictures under the hood, let me know.

 

I bought these from Jegs's. They are a Ford Racing product but sadly they are no longer made.

 

Thanks for the response , those look good, I like the looks of the collectors . I can get Hookers from the local Summit so if there is a problem they are easy to return.

 

I checked prices at Summit Racing, the Hooker are reasonable like $225 while the Sanderson were $469.00..wow! The differance would buy a clutch set up. I wouldn't be afraid to cut/weld on the Hookers but I would not hack a $460 set of headers

 

I have used the Sanderson FF2s on a number of builds including my 56 F100 and my current build a 40 Ford coupe. The 56 has a 302 and the 40 a 351W. The design of the FF2 headers brings the collectors back and out of the way of the motor mounts, starter, and steering. I have tried cheaper headers and have always gone back to Sanderson.

 

Those do tuck in nicely, what frnot clip is that ?

 

"Typo, I mentioned Front "

 

On the F100 is a Volare, the 40 has a TCI
You can see how thick the mounting flanges are on the Sanderson headers, what you can't see is the way that the tubes are welded to the flanges. These headers do not use gaskets, a bead of high temp RTV is all that is needed. Here is a better shot of the 40...the TCI crossmember is much closer to a MII than the Volare.

 

Do you remember the letter designation after the Sanderson FF2 that you used.? Someone at Sanderson once said that buying headers was like buying shoes, "you keep trying them on until you get some that fit".Thanks for the input.

 

To be honest I paid no attention to letter designations. I see on the website that the only changes to the letter designation comes with a change to the header finishes. Not even a change between the 302 and the 351W changed the letter designation...that is the only variation that I thought would make a difference since the 351W has a higher deck height. A "normal" 351W block hugger header will give you fits when trying to install it on a 302 because the angle at which the collector bends towards the block.

 

Sanderson recommended FF5 so I tried a set but they dumed outright on top on the motor mounts,so I returned them to Summit and they ordered a set of FF2.
This is my first major build so if I were doing this again I think that I would raise the engine a bit to get more clearance for headers etc.

 

Here is how I ran my exhaust...under the first crossmember and then up and over the trans crossmember. Exhaust exits through the running boards.

 

Moving along, well the Sanderson FF2's from Summit came and they will work great.Thanks to Charlie led for the info. The engine in installed, rebuit ford top loader , new clutch and re-designed transmission mount (the 3rd rev ). I am now in search of a com plus shifter for a 64 heh-p transmission and a starter. What are you guys using for 302 ford starters ?