73 f100 header help
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73 f100 header help
I have a 73 f100 4x4 with a 4 speed manual transmission, I want to buy headers for it but it has a 302 from 1980 swapped into into so I font know how to find out if any headers will fit before I order them. I have a set of long tubes that I bought for my 90 f150 before I sold it but they look like they will hit the clutch linkage. I was told by hedman to try a blockhugger style header because they should be more universal fit. Has anybody had experience with the block hugger style headers?
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From: Oak Ridge, TN
I have a 302 in my 2wd 1978 F100 and there are shorty headers that look like they could fit. They are for 70’s Torinos, etc. the right side goes straight back like the cast iron one on my engine is now. I have not taken the plunge yet as I am just beginning to make my build sheet. I think perhaps you can’t be afraid to use some hammer persuasion on any headers that you get.
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I have a 302 in my 2wd 1978 F100 and there are shorty headers that look like they could fit. They are for 70’s Torinos, etc. the right side goes straight back like the cast iron one on my engine is now. I have not taken the plunge yet as I am just beginning to make my build sheet. I think perhaps you can’t be afraid to use some hammer persuasion on any headers that you get.
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From: Oak Ridge, TN
LMC has log tube Hedmann’s, I’m surprised nobody on here has experience with long tube headers or wouldn’t chime in. I don’t know if you have any access to Motor Trend TV and Engine Masters but they did a dyno test on long tube headers and denting them with hammers until they looked like they were run over by a truck and there was no appreciable power loss on a high horsepower engine that is hooked up to all kinds of sensors. I would compare the headers you have to the ones they say are for your current truck and see where it would work and if you want to try to remove your iron stockers and try to fit them either from up top or from below.
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From: Oak Ridge, TN
Looking at the ceramic headers for a 1973 4wd and the 1990 ones that are for both 2wd and 4wd, you can see where the right side is really close. The left side of the 1990’s might need some persuasion on the rearmost tube but that might just be along the frame. What do you think? Maybe some pics of your engine bay would help.
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Looking at the ceramic headers for a 1973 4wd and the 1990 ones that are for both 2wd and 4wd, you can see where the right side is really close. The left side of the 1990’s might need some persuasion on the rearmost tube but that might just be along the frame. What do you think? Maybe some pics of your engine bay would help.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-89356/year/1990/make/ford/model/f-150
those are the headers that I have but my main concern is that its gonna hit the clutch linkage but I'll get some pictures of the engine bay and the headers when I get home from work
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From: Oak Ridge, TN
I think you might have more room because of the 302. Either way, I am interested in this for myself and for the sheer interest in solving the problem. 
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Laughing Gas
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I'd go with shorties and find the ones for a 1980 with a 302. If for some reason they don't fit correctly, send them back.
I have long tubes on my 390fe 73 F100 and I can tell you they were a real pain to get in and barely fit.
I have long tubes on my 390fe 73 F100 and I can tell you they were a real pain to get in and barely fit.
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From: Macon,GA
I have a 73 with a 347 stroker (302 based block) I have some Flowtech Long tube Headers and they will fit just barely with no persuasion necessary. they are 1.75 OD headers but they clear the factory starter and are no where near the shift linkage on my truck. Mine are painted with Heat wrap on them.
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So I haven't gotten a chance to even think about headers lately I've been so busy but now I snapped the yoke on my rear axle so I need to get that fixed and get the heater goin in the truck now that its gettin cold out and then I will come back to headers hopefully hahaha, definitely gonna try my hardest to get the ones I have to fit on there and if they dont, well I'll cross that bridge when I get there
thanks for all the responses!
thanks for all the responses!
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From: Marquette, MI.
I see this thread is a little old but I was wondering if first generation Bronco headers would fit in a 65-79 F-100/150 4x4 with a 302/351W swap? The frames and axle set up are very similar.
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Well is till havent gotten around to finding headers I've been real busy in the process of buying a house, that's definitely something I should check into though, I never thought of it, thanks!
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I have a welder but they were expensive and they have ceramic coating on them so I'm a little afraid to cut em up hahahah