Summit 302 Headers
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
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Summit 302 Headers
About two years ago I bought a set of headers from Summit for my 1978 Ranger with a 302 engine (Summit brand). I used them for a few months then I changed my mind and decided to put the truck back in it's original state.
Now I have changed my mind again. I still have the headers that I bought, but now I need to buy an exhaust kit. Now Summit only lists the 351/400 engine option for a header back exhaust kit for the 1978 Ford truck.
I even tried searching for the original set of headers that I bought, but it keeps listing the 351/400 engine option.
Are the exhaust manifolds and headers the same for a 351/400 and a 302? The picture of the headers don't look anything like the original set of headers that I bought, but sometimes Summit uses a generic picture on it's website.
Will this kit work with my 302? I know it was a bit tight last time because the header collectors and a crossmember were really close last time. It caused a quick up bend in the pipe right next to the headers.
Now I have changed my mind again. I still have the headers that I bought, but now I need to buy an exhaust kit. Now Summit only lists the 351/400 engine option for a header back exhaust kit for the 1978 Ford truck.
I even tried searching for the original set of headers that I bought, but it keeps listing the 351/400 engine option.
Are the exhaust manifolds and headers the same for a 351/400 and a 302? The picture of the headers don't look anything like the original set of headers that I bought, but sometimes Summit uses a generic picture on it's website.
Will this kit work with my 302? I know it was a bit tight last time because the header collectors and a crossmember were really close last time. It caused a quick up bend in the pipe right next to the headers.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
look into a couple years newer. the 302 probably wasnt the stock motor for that rig is why you cant find anything. the 351/400 wont work either. I suggest just going to a muffler shop and having them build you an exhaust setup. you get what you want that way and would cost probably the same.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 353
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From: Bayonne NJ
302 is probably stock. My 1979 f-100 ranger has a 302 stock. I also have the summit headers. But couldnt find any type of exaust stayem for them which sucks because they end about 7 inches from the transmission crossmember. You have to have a crazy "s" bend in the pipe right after them to get over the crossmember.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Calgary
When I put headers in my '72 302 the end of the collector ended up pointed at the tranny cross member. I fabricated a new cross member out of 3" x 2" x 1/4" rectangular tubing which gave the exhaust a straight shot to the back. It was very easy to do. There is a picture in my gallery.
What I did was notched the tube so there was a lip on the top that went on top of the frame rail. That way the tube hung down a little giving the clearance for the exhaust. I put a pience of 2 1/2" x 1/4" fat stock inside the tube to renforce the ends. I used a piece of 2" x 2" in the middle to get the tranny mount up to the original height.
What I did was notched the tube so there was a lip on the top that went on top of the frame rail. That way the tube hung down a little giving the clearance for the exhaust. I put a pience of 2 1/2" x 1/4" fat stock inside the tube to renforce the ends. I used a piece of 2" x 2" in the middle to get the tranny mount up to the original height.
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The 302 is the original motor. The truck has been in my family since it was purchased in 1978.
How much difference in performance is there between the stock manifolds with dual exhausts and headers with dual exhausts. One advantage to the original manifolds is that they clear the transmisson lines and I won't have to fabricate new ones again.
I would have a tough time getting to a muffler shop with open exhausts and not get a ticket. I may still have enough of the old setup to bolt the mufflers on just long enough to get across town. I'll have to look.
If you change the cross member and allow the pipes to go straight without the "crazy S", do they hang down below the frame, or are they still out of sight?
How much difference in performance is there between the stock manifolds with dual exhausts and headers with dual exhausts. One advantage to the original manifolds is that they clear the transmisson lines and I won't have to fabricate new ones again.
I would have a tough time getting to a muffler shop with open exhausts and not get a ticket. I may still have enough of the old setup to bolt the mufflers on just long enough to get across town. I'll have to look.
If you change the cross member and allow the pipes to go straight without the "crazy S", do they hang down below the frame, or are they still out of sight?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Calgary
To be honest with you I am not sure if the headers have made that much of a difference. The headers was one of the first changes I made and I didn't notice much improvement but then I added a cam and 4 barrel carb. so maybe now if I went back to stock manifold it would be more noticable. They are a PITA to install that is for sure.
Not the new crossmember only sticks down about 1 1/2" from the bottom of the frame rail and the exhaust is all up above. You will notice that the stock crossmember sticks up quite a bit which is the problem.
Not the new crossmember only sticks down about 1 1/2" from the bottom of the frame rail and the exhaust is all up above. You will notice that the stock crossmember sticks up quite a bit which is the problem.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
if you run a dual setup plan a location for a crossover pipe. this will help performance and help the exhaust scaveng from the heads
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Freshman User
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Thanks for reminding me about the crossover pipe. I had forgotten about that!
You are correct about the PITA installation. It looked like there was plenty of room the first time I installed them. I was just getting off work and I jumped into the project thinking I would be finished in a couple of hours.
I was supposed to be going to a friend's birthday dinner, but after cutting the transmission lines, jacking up the engine, removing the engine perch, and so on, and so on.... I really ended up in the dog house in the end.
I came really close to having to drive it home with open headers.
I think I will go ahead with the header installation. I don't want to be second guessing or wondering "what if" after I change out the carb, cam and manifold.
Thanks again for reminding me about the cross over pipe.
You are correct about the PITA installation. It looked like there was plenty of room the first time I installed them. I was just getting off work and I jumped into the project thinking I would be finished in a couple of hours.
I was supposed to be going to a friend's birthday dinner, but after cutting the transmission lines, jacking up the engine, removing the engine perch, and so on, and so on.... I really ended up in the dog house in the end.
I came really close to having to drive it home with open headers.
I think I will go ahead with the header installation. I don't want to be second guessing or wondering "what if" after I change out the carb, cam and manifold.
Thanks again for reminding me about the cross over pipe.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 3
From: In the woods of Oregon
I just bought a pair of flow tech headers from summit for my 84 bronco and they dump under neath the crossmember, heddmans dump strait into the cross member. The flow techs let me run glasspacks right off of the reducers and they pass under the crossmember. They cost me about $126.00. Just to let you guys know.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
Originally Posted by kopfenjager
I just bought a pair of flow tech headers from summit for my 84 bronco and they dump under neath the crossmember, heddmans dump strait into the cross member. The flow techs let me run glasspacks right off of the reducers and they pass under the crossmember. They cost me about $126.00. Just to let you guys know.
so now that your exhaust hangs below the frame your really gonna have to watch what you drive over. really gonna limit were you can go, thats why i dont care for that type of header. especially in a 4wd
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 626
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my suggestion would be go with a set of shorty headers, they look good and just about always clear everything np. Ive probly installed 20 sets on different year ford trucks and there great. Its just a suggestion though, i just think there much less trouble then long tube headers.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
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From: Williamson, NY
smallblock351, Which shorty headers do you recommend?
Here is a link to a complete header exhaust system I have been considering from Summit Racing:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Jim
Here is a link to a complete header exhaust system I have been considering from Summit Racing:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Jim
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 626
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personaly i like these bbk ones allot, probly the best shorty headers out there, put lots of them on and never a problem with them. tad pricey cause there ceramic coated though. there are cheaper brands like summit offers there own set for 144. and i believe the bbk set thats not ceramic just chrome is 250. also prefer the bbk ones cause there 1 5/8 pipe not 1 1/2
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
the secound link is for the summit brand ones that are just steel and there 1 1/2 pipe
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
the secound link is for the summit brand ones that are just steel and there 1 1/2 pipe
Last edited by smallblock351w; Apr 20, 2006 at 07:26 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
that exhaust setup would rust out fast in your area cujo. having a shop build your exhaust is gonna be far better and money well spent. going cheap on headers will bit ya down the road with leaks , warpage and possible other issues.