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1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
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View Poll Results: Which headers would you choose?
Summit brand($90)
5.56%
Dynomax ($115)
5.56%
Headman($150)
22.22%
Hooker($170)
13.89%
Ceramic coated($260)
52.78%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

Which headers?

Old May 15, 2006 | 09:04 AM
  #16  
73f100shortbed's Avatar
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Originally Posted by MBBFord
Out of those two, which seems better?
Also, what's the difference between ball and socket, and 3-bolt flanges, and which is better. Thanks for all the help so far guys.
Ball and socket uses no gasket. That is the better choice.
 
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Old May 15, 2006 | 01:52 PM
  #17  
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I've never used ball and socket collectors but I hear nothing but good about them. The 3 bolt flange do tend to spring leaks from time to time, especially if the flanges warp at all.

As has been mentioned several times already, spend the extra $$ for ceramic coated headers. I don't know if L&L makes them for the 400 but I love my L&L's for the 460.
 
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Old May 15, 2006 | 03:04 PM
  #18  
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Doug Thorley Headers
 
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Old May 15, 2006 | 07:18 PM
  #19  
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Ivan, do you recall the name of the coating on your L&L headers, nickel or somthing like that?
Also, if I go with a 3 bolt flange, the thicker the better right? So a 5/16" Flange hold up to heat?
 
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Old May 15, 2006 | 08:19 PM
  #20  
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Header coating

"Jet Hot" ceramic coating.
Go to their web site and get a quote for whatever you buy. I bought "Ford Racing" SS headers for my 92" and plan on having them coat them for 188.00. From my research they seem to be one of the best. As well as their Guarntee, 3 yrs.
Good Luck, Howard















as
I would look at getting the 14 ga. & 3/8 flange on whatever you buy, since it's the heaviest materials I've seen so far. Copper gaskets are supposed to be one of the best for sealing too.
 
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Old May 17, 2006 | 07:57 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by MBBFord
Ivan, do you recall the name of the coating on your L&L headers, nickel or somthing like that?
Also, if I go with a 3 bolt flange, the thicker the better right? So a 5/16" Flange hold up to heat?
yes they are nickel coated inside and out, thicker is better on the flanges..less likely to warp
 
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Old May 17, 2006 | 06:42 PM
  #22  
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Thanks kubotaorange76.
Just to let ya'll know I think I'll go with the summit headers and just have them shipped to Jet hot directly for a ceramic coating.
 
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Old May 17, 2006 | 07:03 PM
  #23  
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I just went onto the Summit website and found the Doug Thorley headers for the 400 in chrome for $329.95, I have been running the chrome Thorley's on my 460 for quite a while and have had no problems with the finish. I think that the tri y design is a lot better for trucks because in flows great and keeps the low end power. if you buy the $90 summit headers and add $188 for the coating, you're at $278 (about $50 difference) I think the better money would be spent on the better headers, just my .02.

I just went back and looked again at the headers on thorley web site and saw that they aren't tri y design, they're 4 into 1. I still think that Thorley makes an outstanding header.
 

Last edited by brian_06328; May 17, 2006 at 07:11 PM.
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Old May 17, 2006 | 07:29 PM
  #24  
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those cheap summit headers will still warp at the gaskets surfaces....i agree with brian, spend the $$ on some good headers
 
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Old May 18, 2006 | 04:56 AM
  #25  
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i'm using the hedman elite fenderwell exit headers on my 77 f-250 4x4. they are constructed well, but the coating on them sucks. i've only had mine on a few months and they are already starting to rust out. this really pisses me off since they were over $300 with shipping. i checked with L&L to see if they had them for the 400 but they don't, only for the 460. how does the coating on the L&L's hold up to rust? hmmm...guess i might have to get a 460.
 

Last edited by sparky69; May 18, 2006 at 05:12 AM.
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Old May 18, 2006 | 08:03 AM
  #26  
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my l & l headers are 4 years old now, been used off road for all their life and they still look great, not a spec of rust
 
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Old May 19, 2006 | 07:22 AM
  #27  
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From: New Gretna, New Jersey
People with 4wds, have you had trouble with routing exhaust after the headers, b/c of the crossmember and the front driveshaft?

Thanks,
Matt[/QUOTE]

No, I have outside the frame headers. makes it real easy to do your own exhaust. Just a couple of feet of straight pipe, a muffler, and a 90 degree turn to shoot it out in front of the rear tire. Very driveway assembly friendly.
 
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