Header for FE390
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 22
From: Lacey, WA
I will play "Devil's Advocate" just for discussion.
I would not go back to the stock manifold. Those logs are some of the worst designed manifolds ever put on a vehicle. They do not "breath" worth a hoot!
How often do we need to change a starter out anyway? Should be years between swaps. I will put up with the hassle vs going back to those logs.
I can't remember where I saw them(probably here) but I saw a pic of some custom made headers on one of our trucks that installed on the outside of the frame rails. Took some modifiying but can be done! Wish I remember where I seen them.
Anyway, no flame intended here just adding to the discussion.
Take care,
I would not go back to the stock manifold. Those logs are some of the worst designed manifolds ever put on a vehicle. They do not "breath" worth a hoot!
How often do we need to change a starter out anyway? Should be years between swaps. I will put up with the hassle vs going back to those logs.
I can't remember where I saw them(probably here) but I saw a pic of some custom made headers on one of our trucks that installed on the outside of the frame rails. Took some modifiying but can be done! Wish I remember where I seen them.
Anyway, no flame intended here just adding to the discussion.
Take care,
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Headers
Does there seem to be any consensus on the best headers and what the advantages/disadvantages are over the stock "logs"?
How big of a pain is it to lossen/remove maybe have to scrape the old gasket and put a new gasket on at the same time as a starter replacement may occur. Also I have always heard the headers in the vicinity of the starter directly cause starter failure more ofter due to excess heat..
Joe
How big of a pain is it to lossen/remove maybe have to scrape the old gasket and put a new gasket on at the same time as a starter replacement may occur. Also I have always heard the headers in the vicinity of the starter directly cause starter failure more ofter due to excess heat..
Joe
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Athol, Idaho
Yes, I have heard the same thing. My headers are real close and it is a concern. I think I mentioned earlier, that I have been told a couple times that the best thing to do is to go back to the stock manifolds. If I'm not racing the thing, then why have the headers?
I just don't have the stock manifolds.
I just don't have the stock manifolds.
New User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Hey man, I have a 390 with Headers in my truck also. The little trick about 2 into four is it. When i got to the performance shop to buy my headers the only ones they had in stock were the el cheap'o 109 dollar Flow Tech headers, so i got them. They have a pilot cut in the peice of metal that holds all the inlets together, you know where they bolt up to your block. The headers are all put togher but the two rear ones are welded together with two holes for the front and the front two slide into the rear ones. When i got home and first looked at them i was mad cause i thought they realy had sold me some junk till i read the instructions. You finish the cut, pull them apart, bolt the front two to you block and the pipes go under your engine mount and the rear ones slide over the front one and bolt up to your block. just unbolt your exhaust and slide the rear section of your header off. Easy and Cheap.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Athol, Idaho
Originally Posted by lee
I will play "Devil's Advocate" just for discussion.
I would not go back to the stock manifold. Those logs are some of the worst designed manifolds ever put on a vehicle. They do not "breath" worth a hoot!
How often do we need to change a starter out anyway? Should be years between swaps. I will put up with the hassle vs going back to those logs.
I can't remember where I saw them(probably here) but I saw a pic of some custom made headers on one of our trucks that installed on the outside of the frame rails. Took some modifiying but can be done! Wish I remember where I seen them.
Anyway, no flame intended here just adding to the discussion.
Take care,
I would not go back to the stock manifold. Those logs are some of the worst designed manifolds ever put on a vehicle. They do not "breath" worth a hoot!
How often do we need to change a starter out anyway? Should be years between swaps. I will put up with the hassle vs going back to those logs.
I can't remember where I saw them(probably here) but I saw a pic of some custom made headers on one of our trucks that installed on the outside of the frame rails. Took some modifiying but can be done! Wish I remember where I seen them.
Anyway, no flame intended here just adding to the discussion.
Take care,
Lee,
I am not an expert in the field so I do not know whether the manifolds are junk or not. I would think that the more the engine can breath, the less heat is produced and the better things are. The faster you can get the exhaust out of the system, the better. I think the reasons I was told about the stock manifolds was simply this; If you're not building a race truck, and you're worried about the starter installation, then just use the stock manifolds.
I personally like headers and want the headers on the truck. I agree with you under normal conditions. My concern with the starter is that, I have been an avid off roader for years in my CJ5. I know that heat can cause a starter to go out any time. The headers on my truck run real close (Too close) to the starter and I am concerned that it could go out.
I use this truck for my hunting and fishing trips and not just local. The last thing I want to be doing is changing a starter 12 hours away from home in the snow at 9000 Ft.!
So the easier that could be done, the better. And yes, I plan on carrying some spare parts that are neccesities. ie: starter, water pump, fuel pump etc....
New User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3
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Joined: May 2004
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i have a 390 with headers and i built my motor 5 years ago and i wrapped my starter in thermal wrap cause my starter kept getting to hot and since i wrapped it i have not had any problems. I would not go back to stock manifolds even though i have them and a set of gaskets ready to go.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix Az, by way of Fre
Originally Posted by Bohemith 390FE
Flow Tech headers. They have a pilot cut in the peice of metal that holds all the inlets together, you know where they bolt up to your block. The headers are all put togher but the two rear ones are welded together with two holes for the front and the front two slide into the rear ones. You finish the cut, pull them apart, bolt the front two to you block and the pipes go under your engine mount and the rear ones slide over the front one and bolt up to your block.Easy and Cheap.
That is what I wanted to know as well.
Thanks for the info.
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