Highboy 390FE Header question
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
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From: Brooks, Georgia
Highboy 390FE Header question
Hey guys my son and I have been rebuilding his ‘77 Highboy. We rebuilt the 390 and now we are trying to get some long tube headers that will clear everything thing but we are having some clearance issues. I know somebody has had experience with this and any help on what to do would be appreciated. At the moment it looks like we are gonna go with some shorty headers but would rather have long tube but whatever we do we gotta hurry cause he ships out to basic training at Parris Island in September and he wants to drive his truck to high school the last couple months. Thanks for the help
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
Hey guys my son and I have been rebuilding his ‘77 Highboy. We rebuilt the 390 and now we are trying to get some long tube headers that will clear everything thing but we are having some clearance issues. I know somebody has had experience with this and any help on what to do would be appreciated. At the moment it looks like we are gonna go with some shorty headers but would rather have long tube but whatever we do we gotta hurry cause he ships out to basic training at Parris Island in September and he wants to drive his truck to high school the last couple months. Thanks for the help
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-highboy.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,896
Likes: 2,372
They never made a '77 with a 390 , but good idea.
I have long tubes on my '76 428 CJ so they'd fit the same, I believe they're Headman brand but I'm not positive. you will have to run both pipes down the right side . I have no problems with them and plenty of room around the stock starter for cooling.
I have long tubes on my '76 428 CJ so they'd fit the same, I believe they're Headman brand but I'm not positive. you will have to run both pipes down the right side . I have no problems with them and plenty of room around the stock starter for cooling.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
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From: Brooks, Georgia
These are a great choice in my opinion. Stan's Tri-Y. The part number for future reference is 244Y-L. They are Tri-Y headers and can be bought in 14 or 16 ga. with a few coating options. They use 3/8" thick flanges.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-highboy.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-highboy.html
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Brooks, Georgia
They never made a '77 with a 390 , but good idea.
I have long tubes on my '76 428 CJ so they'd fit the same, I believe they're Headman brand but I'm not positive. you will have to run both pipes down the right side . I have no problems with them and plenty of room around the stock starter for cooling.
I have long tubes on my '76 428 CJ so they'd fit the same, I believe they're Headman brand but I'm not positive. you will have to run both pipes down the right side . I have no problems with them and plenty of room around the stock starter for cooling.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 31
From: Nevada
I put Flowtechs from summit on my FE when I put my engine back in, they are on the cheap side, but fit good, not 100% perfect but good and sealed up when using quality gaskets, if you dont use good header gaskets like Remflex your going to have an exhaust leak, FE's are a pain to seal, i learned this 15 different ways to Sunday. Also make sure your getting 4x4 headers, 4x2 headers dont have the cross-member split and thus wont fit. Also, if your using the ginormous stock starter, it must be tucked up on the block before you put headers in (bungeed) otherwise you wont get it in the header gap. Hopefully you have a mini hi-torque starter so your fine (ask me how i learned all that 
) I ran into 2 tight spots with my headers, both on the drivers side, the front cross member was tight and i had to indent the header just a smidge, also the oil pan on the drivers side is a tight fit, but i made it work. Cant stress enough to get good gaskets.... Also the whole procedure, new header bolts, use anti seize, dont forget your dipstick mount, torque light when cold, re-torque when hot, leave your collector bolts super loose until your fit is perfect......
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-12542flt
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...20FE%20gaskets
) I ran into 2 tight spots with my headers, both on the drivers side, the front cross member was tight and i had to indent the header just a smidge, also the oil pan on the drivers side is a tight fit, but i made it work. Cant stress enough to get good gaskets.... Also the whole procedure, new header bolts, use anti seize, dont forget your dipstick mount, torque light when cold, re-torque when hot, leave your collector bolts super loose until your fit is perfect...... https://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-12542flt
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...20FE%20gaskets
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New User
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From: Brooks, Georgia
Man that thing is awesome looking. Thank you for sending those pictures that helps out tremendously. I will be calling Stans in the morning
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Brooks, Georgia
I put Flowtechs from summit on my FE when I put my engine back in, they are on the cheap side, but fit good, not 100% perfect but good and sealed up when using quality gaskets, if you dont use good header gaskets like Remflex your going to have an exhaust leak, FE's are a pain to seal, i learned this 15 different ways to Sunday. Also make sure your getting 4x4 headers, 4x2 headers dont have the cross-member split and thus wont fit. Also, if your using the ginormous stock starter, it must be tucked up on the block before you put headers in (bungeed) otherwise you wont get it in the header gap. Hopefully you have a mini hi-torque starter so your fine (ask me how i learned all that ) I ran into 2 tight spots with my headers, both on the drivers side, the front cross member was tight and i had to indent the header just a smidge, also the oil pan on the drivers side is a tight fit, but i made it work. Cant stress enough to get good gaskets.... Also the whole procedure, new header bolts, use anti seize, dont forget your dipstick mount, torque light when cold, re-torque when hot, leave your collector bolts super loose until your fit is perfect......
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-12542flt
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...20FE%20gaskets
) I ran into 2 tight spots with my headers, both on the drivers side, the front cross member was tight and i had to indent the header just a smidge, also the oil pan on the drivers side is a tight fit, but i made it work. Cant stress enough to get good gaskets.... Also the whole procedure, new header bolts, use anti seize, dont forget your dipstick mount, torque light when cold, re-torque when hot, leave your collector bolts super loose until your fit is perfect......https://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-12542flt
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...20FE%20gaskets
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
Headman has made a lot of changes in there product line since the old days. I put the Hedman elite heavy duty longies on my !987 F350 crew duallie 2wd hauler and the fitment was real good. I am impressed with the quality and performance on the 460 motor. They helped my truck in all the areas I wanted including an improvement in mpg. On my 76 Highboy the Stan's Tri-Y's I like the torque improvement they provide. The quality of both is exceptional if you get the thick flange heavy gauge versions.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,896
Likes: 2,372
Over the long run heavier is better I get that. but my off the shelf headers have 70,000 miles on them and still look great and seal up perfectly thanks to Remflex gaskets. , and they don't look home made.
They all work my point is just that you do have a choice.
They all work my point is just that you do have a choice.
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