headers or not?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 861
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Not sure what kind of headers they are. Got them at the local swap meet about two years ago. What I do know is that are a set of long pipes. What I do know is that they have improved the performance and gas mileage. Went from about 12-16 mpg now my gets any where between 20-24 mpg.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by customcab66
Not sure what kind of headers they are. Got them at the local swap meet about two years ago. What I do know is that are a set of long pipes. What I do know is that they have improved the performance and gas mileage. Went from about 12-16 mpg now my gets any where between 20-24 mpg.
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
I can't see how headers would not help a FE breathe better. Look at how flat the exhaust manifolds are. They have to be restrictive. I have had headers on my 66 with a 390 for 6 years with no leaks or starter changes. They were on the truck when I go tit so I don't know how old they are or if the was indeed an improvement.
The starter issue keeps being mentioned. I have new ceramic coated headers waiting to be installed in mine soon. I also have a hi-torque mini starter to install at the same time. I haven't needed one yet but seems like an insurance policy to me and that will be the easiest time to install them.
The starter issue keeps being mentioned. I have new ceramic coated headers waiting to be installed in mine soon. I also have a hi-torque mini starter to install at the same time. I haven't needed one yet but seems like an insurance policy to me and that will be the easiest time to install them.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20
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Dear Enthusiasts-
Thank you for your continued dialogue and feedback. As a teenager in the 70's who read Hot Rod magazine (and others) regularly, I remember how EVERYONE said that headers where the best "bang for the buck." When I was going to college and cool cars could still be bought for cheap, I was too darn poor to buy a set of them. Since becoming a member of the establishment, I have been driving economy cars. Now that I have this truck, 30 some years later, I might just take the plunge!
- Thanks! Paul
Thank you for your continued dialogue and feedback. As a teenager in the 70's who read Hot Rod magazine (and others) regularly, I remember how EVERYONE said that headers where the best "bang for the buck." When I was going to college and cool cars could still be bought for cheap, I was too darn poor to buy a set of them. Since becoming a member of the establishment, I have been driving economy cars. Now that I have this truck, 30 some years later, I might just take the plunge!
- Thanks! Paul
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 861
Likes: 1
John if you go to the gallery it is the red and white ford truck from Oregon, with the roll bar in it. It is a 2x4 390 with a automatic.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
At the risk of starting a huge peeeing contest here. Someones impute numbers are way off, There aint no 61-66 pickup with a FE in it getting 20-24 mpg without being towed on a trailer.
I would love for mine to get that, but they seem to hit the wall at around 15. I doubt that you could put a FE in the bed and a solar power engine under the hood and get 20 mpg.
John
I would love for mine to get that, but they seem to hit the wall at around 15. I doubt that you could put a FE in the bed and a solar power engine under the hood and get 20 mpg.
John
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 262
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From: Northern Virginia
I have a set of hedman headers on mine and a 2 inch exhaust with high flow mufflers.I tsounds great when I open her up.Cant tell if it is faster but it sounds faster.The flange bolts at the collector come loose from time to time but its not a daily driver so its not so bad.
Joe
Joe
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,111
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From: Turlock CA
Jowlker
I have seen 18 mpg on my 352 but I was very gentle on the gas peddle and she never went over 65mph. It was flat land no wind and a nice day all in all, so we just cruzed. I do average about 15.5 normal driving around 70 mph half town half freeway.
jd
I have seen 18 mpg on my 352 but I was very gentle on the gas peddle and she never went over 65mph. It was flat land no wind and a nice day all in all, so we just cruzed. I do average about 15.5 normal driving around 70 mph half town half freeway.
jd
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Jackassville
Headers do make a difference on the FE engines. In fact, a large difference. If you have ever seen an FE exhaust manifold you can tell why, the stock manifolds are very restrictive and rob your engine of power, and mileage. I can't tell you exactly the difference, as I rebuilt my engine and upgraded the engine with a Crane truck cam, 4V intake, Holley 600 and headers. Yes its very powerful and fun to drive. No issues with stock starter.
My headers are Dynomax brand. I get 14-15mpg with my 352FE.
My headers are Dynomax brand. I get 14-15mpg with my 352FE.
Last edited by FERacing66; May 23, 2006 at 09:59 PM.
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