I'm sure this has been beat around many times, but here goes anyway.

1993 Fullsize Bronco with 302, auto trans, 4X4. I want shorty headers that will bolt into place of the factory exhaust manifold. I want them to bolt up to the factroy exhaust system. So who has installed headers and what brand did you use? How hard was installation? how much did they cost? How well did they perform? And did they really bolt right in?

 

Bassani... they will swap in place of the OEM manifolds with a few minor "tweaks" for mounting some of the other equipment that is tied under the manifold-to-cylinder head bolts. Installation takes about 45 min. a side with most of the time spent jockeying the header on the passenger side around til it drops in place (tight fit until its actually in place and I didn't bother to remove ANYTHING but the old manifolds and the stuff tied directly to them). Pricetag is currently about $350 for the chrome version and about $450 for the ceramic coated (if you can swing it its well worth the extra $$$ to go with the ceramic). If you shop around you may find them a little cheaper.

These headers are "equal length" design so they perform VERY well. The fit is excellent and the mounting flange is 3/8" rather than some headers that only use 1/4" flange material which is prone to warping over time.

As many will tell you, I am a walking advertisment for these folks. But, they build a quality product that does exactly what the claim and they come ready to install with gaskets (really good ones at that). Mine have been on two different trucks in the past three years and they show now signs of deterioration.

Year - 86-96
Engine - 302
PN - 50150B (chrome)
PN - 50150BC (ceramic)

 

I have a '93 F250 truck, so it is probably identical to your Bronco underhood. I have a 5.8 engine, so there would probably be a bit more room under your hood. I used the ford racing stainless shorties, and they were the easiest instal I ever did. There are screw caps for installing the EGR. I have had them on for at least 2 years, and no problems at all.

 

Oh, I paid about 300 for them.

 

[QUOTE=F250OBX]There are screw caps for installing the EGR. QUOTE]

Ok, I'm confused, EGR? EGR on the 351 and 302 never gets near the manifolds/headers. Just trying to understand what I've missed.

 

Good question Joe - of all the equipment under the hood what does attach directly to the headers (and I don't mean just brackets etc). The o2 sensor is on the Y if I remember - where does the pipe from the EGR that goes under the plenum go? Also what about the thermactor system, does that go to the headers or direct to the head?

 

On the left (driver's side) there is a lifting eye near the front, the dipstick tube mounting bracket, and the TAB/TAD solenoid & ignition coil support bracket.

The right (passenger's side... and if I recall correctly this even applies across the pond for you Muckeypaws) has the brackets that hold the Thermactor air injection tubing, and a support rod up to the side of the upper intake plenum. The upper bolt on the support (in the plenum) has a ground strap attached to it.

Both sides had aluminum heat shields around the spark plugs on my 93.

The EGR goes down into a crossover plenum in the lower intake manifold that receives exhaust gasses from both cylinder heads. These gasses are pumped through the EGR system with fresh air from the Thermactor system. The Thermactor plumbing runs to the check valve and crossover tube (metal) across the back of the engine from one cylinder head to the other. Control over the airflow is regulated by the EEC computer via the TAB and TAD solenoids and in turn the diverter valve near the right rear of the engine. Control over the combined fresh air and exhaust back into the intake is done by the EEC computer via the EGR valve.

Nothing else that I am aware of attaches to the exhaust manifolds. They only have mounting bolt holes. Eight (8) to the cylinder head and two (2) to the Y-pipe for each manifold or header. The info here applies to MOST 5.0 (302) and 5.8 (351W) EEC-IV engines.

 

marelous answer! thanks Joe. - you're up early ain't ya?

 

Um, actually I'm up LATE. Had a show run long tonight and put a few back with the crew when we finished so my answers may be slightly "pickled" this early A.M.

 

Devils advocate:
JBA. Has 3/8" flange as well. Direct replacement. I like 'em, through (3) engines total. Some pics in gallery. Price was just around $300. Currently on a highly modified 6000 rpm truck motor.

 

Has anyone had any trouble changing spark plugs with the Bassanni or JBA headers?

 

Actually I have found changing plugs to be LESS of a problem with the Bassani headers since they are not nearly as bulky around the exhaust ports as the OEM manifolds. More room for the fingers and tools ya know!

 

10-4 to that. Also, there are 7/16" (head) special header bolts that help to make life easier too. (i.e. room and getting your wrench on them...)

 

I'm looking at the JBA headers which were recommended, but is it $300 for both or for each?? Can any auto parts store order them?

 

It had BETTER be for BOTH unless they are made of Titanium!