Wondering if a set of Hedman fenderwell exit headers are going to rust to dust and fall off, since they are painted and the Summit Racing website says the paint will burn off.
Does anybody make specially coated fendewell exit headers? What is the coating anyway, ceramic?
I just don't want to have to buy new headers every few years.
BTW my vehicle is a '79 Bronco.
Thanks.

 

I have a set of ceramic coated Hedman's on my 79 and that is the way to go.
Here's a picture:



These are for a 351M/400 btw.

John

 

Just be careful to get a gaurantee in writing about being rustproof. I bought a set of dynomax ceramic coated headers, and in under 4 months there was rust on them (down by where the tubes converge)--disappointing....

 

Hey lifted is that the #HED-89360 that was mentioned in the earlier fenderwell header thread? I looked at the summit website and the price is right but it says they are painted and the paint will burn off.
If not would you mind posting the correct part number for the ceramic headers?
BFW

 

lifted 78, is that your personal shop? i want one!
looks like a NICE builup too!

btw, can you put in headers without moving the engine, this would be the decision for me as i dont have the capability to lift my engine out.

 

Bigfoot: I got mine from Summit and just pulled the invoice. They are part number HED-89360-6 and the description is Header HPC COA. These are definitely ceramic coated per Hedman's web site and the -6 indicates this. Cost was about $375.

Matt77: Thanks for the compliments! The complete build-up story (ongoing anyway) is at "john.frieltek.com/toomanyfords/f1504x4/" (put that in a browser without the www at the beginning)
I did not try to put them in with the front clip on, but I suspect that the fenderwell exit headers can not be put in without removing either the engine or front clip. If you cannot lift the engine, then 12-14 bolts will let you lift the entire front clip off with 3 of your best friends.

In fact, I'm getting ready to swap out the TCI Streetfigher 10" torque converter on my truck and will be pulling the clip again just to make it easier. It really isn't that hard to do, once you've done it. Just be sure to disconnect all the wires from the firewall connectors like lights etc and vacuum hoses that need to stay with the cab.

I guess there should be a FAQ about pulling the front clip! If nobody has written one up yet, I'll volunteer to document this with pictures.

John

 

lifted78, that's what i dont have. none of my friends know a darn thing about removing a stuck lightbulb much less enjoying wrenching on a vehicle!
it gets pretty lonely out in the driveway drinking beer by myself.
i dont know how many times i couldnt hold this and turn that at the same time!
although ive almost got the dog trained to know the difference between a 1/2" and a 9/16" wrench!

does slobber rust tools?

 

Only the crappy ones from K-Mart!

BTW, your friends don't have to know how to turn a wrench... They are there to help lift the clip off and set it gently down a few feet from the truck.

Good luck on the header install!

john

 

thank you john, i feel more confident about it now.

i know they all owe me big for moving their stuff in my truck!

btw, anyone know a model number for a ceramic coated header for a 771/2 f2504x4 with a 351m? d44 front and manual 4 speed. leafs and shocks, no coils.

 

I agree, it's way easier to work on'em with the front clip off. I bolted on a set of L&L Products UltraFlow shorty chassis mount headers the other day on my 77 460 highboy project. I was pretty impressed with the quality. The flanges are 5/8" thick, 14 guage tubing they are nickle electroless coated inside and out. They also have a lifetime warranty even against rust thru. www.landlproducts.com

What got me was how heavy they were. It seemed like even one of the shorty headers was heavier then both full length headers that I've had in the past. You can get these in fenderwell exit if you want and they have full length chassis mounts too. There pricey at $400 or better but I feel they'll be worth it in the long run. I would post a pic of a installed header but it doesn't look like I'm allowed too. I guess I need to create a gallery.

 

I am trying to find out if these are street legal in AZ. On the website the say not intended for highway use.

 

I have a set of L&L fender exits on my 79 F150 4x4 with 460 swapped in. By far those headers exceeded all my expectations and then some. Did not have to remove engine or front clip to install and nothing had to be modified to make them fit. I did trim the inner fender some for spark plug removal but that was isn't needed. You can call L&L and have a chat with them. I did before I bought and spent over an hour just chatting with the man. Very nice people. Their coating has held up for 2+ years now and still look great. I ordered mine from Bronco Graveyard. A little cheaper if I remember right. Just bought a set of hedmans and am kicking myself in the you know what for it. No where near the quality and have had to modify a few things. Just my experience

 

I've did the Hedman thing before as well. They're ok for a run of the mill header, better then some but not near the quality of an L&L. I've been running
my shorty's on my 460 for over 4 years now and haven't had any trouble at all.

I did tighten the mounting bolts up the other day when I installed new plugs.
The back ones were a bit loose, no big deal. I did replace one collector gasket back in the summer that started leaking but that's not any fault of L&L for sure.

I don't think you'll find a better set of headers anywhere then L&L. I had a set of Hooker Super Competion headers on a big block Cheby once. They were ok but not the quality of L&L.

My advice to anyone is if you really love your mighty fine Ford and plan to keep her then don't think twice about shelling out the extra green backs for a set of L&L's. If it means waiting a while to afford them, then by all means, do so.

Good Luck!!

 

Yeah, made the mistake of going cheap and won't do it again. I love my fender exits. Curently rebuilding my truck and am worried that my tire choice might give me issues. I hope not but if they do I'll either get smaller tires or L&L chassis exits. One way or the other I will have L&L's