I've got my donor engine and tranny in the garage. My question is can I use full length headers, or will I have to use shorties?

 

You should be able to run full length headers unless you use some type of motor mount that would prohibit that. There are several kits out there to put 460s into a 61-66 that will allow the use of full length headers. Good Luck!

 

Trey, That is unusual to find headers for an app. that never had the engine installed in it. 460s were available in the late 70s so they might work back to 65, but I doubt 61-64. Not saying they wont either.

Sometimes shorty headers can be made to fit.

John

 

I couldn't find headers for my 64/429 combo. The passenger side truck header fit but, the drivers side hit the steering box. I ended up cutting tubes off until they cleared and bought some mandril bent tubing and rerouting around the box. There's a picture of them in my gallery. So I guess the answer is. Yes, you can run full length headers. It's just how bad do you want it.

 

I agree with John & Tiremine, you're not going to find bolt in aftermarket inframe headers, log or short, and I wouldn't run shorties on a 460 because of CFM 460s put out and their exhaust cycle dynamics. It won't run well with them.

Ya don't need a kit to bolt a 385 series engine in a 65 & up F Series because of the later style frame. I use FoMoCo OEM Mounts and it's a std operation. Also FoMoCo mounts are cros bolted so if you shred the insulator the engine can't roll over in the engine bay when the insulator fails. Problem is Ford does not make mounts for 61-64 (or earlier) trucks.

So you'll have to either fab a set or buy a kit for 61-64s. And you can't bolt long headers on 385's in an earlly frame (61-64) beacuse of what Tiremine says. Also long headers want to collide with 61-64 style bellhsg side mounts, or else they must be run low & under. There is a problem with early style frames and a different frame kick on L/H (driver) side rail just infront of left shackle location too.

You could probably use Outside the frame style, later 4X4s use but I don't know who the Mfgr is. Maybe L&L down in the Lone Star is the mfgr. I/ve seen them on 4X4's and later, mid 70's Broncoes with 386 series power.

FBp