headers or not?
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headers or not?
Hi folks -
My name is Paul and I have a 1966 f100. I am considering replacing the 352 with a 390 engine as soon as I can pay for one. Are headers a good idea with this truck/engine combination? I have a friend with a '76 ford pu, and he said that his headers overheat his starter. Does anyone out there have a '61-'66 f100 with headers? Any problems? What brand of headers do you recommend? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
- Paul
My name is Paul and I have a 1966 f100. I am considering replacing the 352 with a 390 engine as soon as I can pay for one. Are headers a good idea with this truck/engine combination? I have a friend with a '76 ford pu, and he said that his headers overheat his starter. Does anyone out there have a '61-'66 f100 with headers? Any problems? What brand of headers do you recommend? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
- Paul
Posting Guru
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From: Turlock CA
I have a 65 f100 with a 352 and it has had headers on it for about 15 years or better. They are headman headers and it is on its second set of headers. The starter was origianl and finaly went out this year after 150k miles. I think it may have just a matter of age that got it. The first set of headers rusted out due to that good old Oregon rain. Make sure you use good gaskets and torque them several times after install and you will have no problems. The headers do run a bit close to the starter and I have had thoughts of buildaing a heat shield but so far so good.
jd
jd
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Joined: Jan 2006
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I have a 66 with a 390 and the headers that I just put on about two weeks ago and I love them. My dad has headers on his 66 4x4 has had them on there for about 20 years and has to of yet change the starter. Also he has never had to change the gaskets or even had to retighten the bolts on them.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Paul, Maybe I just have bad luck, I have Hooker long tubes on my 66, and have replaced the starter at least 4 times in 28,000 miles.
I might use a shortie set again but not the long tubes.
John
I might use a shortie set again but not the long tubes.
John
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Central Texas
Interesting, that none of you indicated any improvements through the use of headers, only the issues...starters and leaks. What are the upsides? I am also in the same boat as Paul, but am struggling with why I want to go with headers.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Headers, really come into play with engines turning over 5000 rpms. My truck turning 2800 rpms is running 70-75 mph. I have no need for headers.
I do have a starter blanket on now.
Every man ought to own one set in his life. I am thinking for my next FE install runing two driver side manifolds and a custom bent pipe on the passenger side.
John
I do have a starter blanket on now.
Every man ought to own one set in his life. I am thinking for my next FE install runing two driver side manifolds and a custom bent pipe on the passenger side.
John
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From: Central Oregon
Originally Posted by PROSTOCK
Interesting, that none of you indicated any improvements through the use of headers, only the issues...starters and leaks. What are the upsides? I am also in the same boat as Paul, but am struggling with why I want to go with headers.
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Thanks!
Hi everyone!
Thanks for your useful replies. It sounds like the longer tube headers may
be more apt to overheat the starter, but it might be a good idea to use a heat shield for the starter just in case!
It sounds like the Heddman brand may be preferable to Hooker. For those of you who have NOT experienced problems, which brand do you use?
Thanks!
-Paul
Thanks for your useful replies. It sounds like the longer tube headers may
be more apt to overheat the starter, but it might be a good idea to use a heat shield for the starter just in case!
It sounds like the Heddman brand may be preferable to Hooker. For those of you who have NOT experienced problems, which brand do you use?
Thanks!
-Paul
Last edited by Paul Therriault; May 17, 2006 at 09:51 PM.
