FE Headers (Review)
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 8
FE Headers (Review)
Hi All,
Last night I installed a set of headers on my 73 F100 4x4 360. I went with the Hedman brand headers. They included all the parts I needed to make the install. Installation was fairly easy. Drivers side I had to remove the clutch linkage. Passanger side I had to remove the motor mount and slightly lift the motor. Both sides went right in! No interference problems at all.
Finished the install at about 10:00 pm last night. The evil side of me came out and I took the truck down the road.... Boy was it loud and awesome. The truck goes in on Thursday for a dual 2.5" system.
Oh, on the headers... I sandblasted them and repainted them with some 1200 degree flat black.
jerm
Last night I installed a set of headers on my 73 F100 4x4 360. I went with the Hedman brand headers. They included all the parts I needed to make the install. Installation was fairly easy. Drivers side I had to remove the clutch linkage. Passanger side I had to remove the motor mount and slightly lift the motor. Both sides went right in! No interference problems at all.
Finished the install at about 10:00 pm last night. The evil side of me came out and I took the truck down the road.... Boy was it loud and awesome. The truck goes in on Thursday for a dual 2.5" system.
Oh, on the headers... I sandblasted them and repainted them with some 1200 degree flat black.
jerm
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
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From: iowa
i recentally got a set of hedmans 89180, and i am not too impressed with the quality. The primary tubes entend past the flange and they look ground but are not level. I hope my copper gasket will make up the difference. I wish I had enough money for the fpa $395 bare/ 450 nickel. I have repainted mine over the oringinal ****ty job. It might not stick but i am confident my 390 will burn any paint off in 3 days max. I used 1500 degree paint but i hear that hi temp paint is a joke or scam like octane booster.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,436
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From: Montana
The primary tubes entend past the flange and they look ground but are not level.
It might not stick but i am confident my 390 will burn any paint off in 3 days max. I used 1500 degree paint but i hear that hi temp paint is a joke or scam like octane booster.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,268
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From: Eureka, Ca.
There is a notice in the packing that states that the paint is for protection against rust during shipping only and should be removed and the headers should be painted. Of course I didn't know that until I painted over the crap they use for shipping. It all peeled off right away. I had to sand and repaint them.
The primaries come through and are welded on that side to prevent the primaries from cracking at the flange. Mime were flat at the mating surface. Mine haven't leaked so far.
What I don't like is the port mismach with the Perf RPM heads. I don't know if it is hedman or Edelbrock that is to blame here but make sure the header ports are not lower than the head ports. I had to elonggate the holes in the flange and hold them up while tightening the bolts to keep the ports lined up.
The primaries come through and are welded on that side to prevent the primaries from cracking at the flange. Mime were flat at the mating surface. Mine haven't leaked so far.
What I don't like is the port mismach with the Perf RPM heads. I don't know if it is hedman or Edelbrock that is to blame here but make sure the header ports are not lower than the head ports. I had to elonggate the holes in the flange and hold them up while tightening the bolts to keep the ports lined up.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Thorley's match the ports perfectly but their quality has gone down since they were sold a few years ago. Pay once and do it right, check fit, deburr, blend welds and ceramic coat in / out. I'm just not a "cheap O" header person.
.....=o&o>......
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
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From: iowa
so i should sand and repaint them?
Randy, I wouldn't blame either hedman or edlbrock for the portmismatch since edelbrock is trying to make a performance head that makes power and hedman doesn't know what heads you might be using. I do think hedman could make a bigger opening as mine are like identical to stock ports and there is no extra give.
Randy, I wouldn't blame either hedman or edlbrock for the portmismatch since edelbrock is trying to make a performance head that makes power and hedman doesn't know what heads you might be using. I do think hedman could make a bigger opening as mine are like identical to stock ports and there is no extra give.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,268
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From: Eureka, Ca.
Originally Posted by fordeverpower
so i should sand and repaint them?
Randy, I wouldn't blame either hedman or edlbrock for the portmismatch since edelbrock is trying to make a performance head that makes power and hedman doesn't know what heads you might be using. I do think hedman could make a bigger opening as mine are like identical to stock ports and there is no extra give.
Randy, I wouldn't blame either hedman or edlbrock for the portmismatch since edelbrock is trying to make a performance head that makes power and hedman doesn't know what heads you might be using. I do think hedman could make a bigger opening as mine are like identical to stock ports and there is no extra give.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: iowa
Originally Posted by Randyb12
The port on the Edel heads is the exact same size as the ports on the Hedman headers. They just sit 1/4" too low. As you oprodly know the top of the port is the last place you want a 1/4" blockage. I should say the Byson gaskets matched the hedman ports ezactly and had the same mismach on the Edel heads.
thats a serious issue to me, big hp losses there. i would do some mods to the flange that might not look pretty but would work.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,268
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From: Eureka, Ca.
Originally Posted by fordeverpower
thats a serious issue to me, big hp losses there. i would do some mods to the flange that might not look pretty but would work.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
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From: iowa
Originally Posted by Randyb12
Just elonggate the bolt holes 3/16 and make sure the gasket and header are pulled up against the bolts. This results in almost perfect match.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
The original Heads on are truck, Have a low exhaust port to help make Tq..The After market heads are all High Exhuast port hence the Mismatch...
And alot of the newer after amrket heads Being cast..Fort todat Hot rodders..well have even a higher port as to make more hp....
Hope this help?? LOL..
Russ
And alot of the newer after amrket heads Being cast..Fort todat Hot rodders..well have even a higher port as to make more hp....
Hope this help?? LOL..
Russ