Help with Headers

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 21, 2006 | 06:00 PM

jester_99_89

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

Help with Headers

Hello guys, i just got the set of hedman elite's i ordered fro summit. There for a 3/4 4x4 only but summit doent say that on there page only hedmans does. I really like these headers their cermic coated and have the no gasket collector. hedman does not make a header for a 2x4 f100 with an Fe. so my question is should i cut my crossmember to make these fit then weld up some brackets for it, or go with doug thorlys there shorties and chrome plated

i dont want to blue them out. what do you guys think also the thorlys just have a standard 3 bolt collector.

Jul 22, 2006 | 01:39 AM

Mr.Fancypants

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 53

Likes: 0

From: Swift Current, Sask

I hacked my crossmember and made a new one that allowed the headers to fit.

Jul 22, 2006 | 03:10 AM

"Beemer Nut"

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,658

Likes: 4

From: "Islander"

Doug Thorley headers (203) will bolt right in. Best to order raw, port match, lap flanges then detail. Have 'em HPC ceramic coated inside and out as well collector stubs. The Thorley's I have were purchased in 98, was told the name has been sold 5 years ago, quality control been lowered like collector extensions pointed into the transmission. Again check the fit first, yes a PITA to lift the motor to install. I can't chop up a nice 68 CS do to bad fitting aftermarket parts including butchering to make fit off brand transmissions.

.....=o&o>.....

Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Jul 22, 2006 at 03:20 AM.

Jul 22, 2006 | 03:18 AM

jester_99_89

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

Ya i already choped the mount for the cross member and am going to build a new one tomarrow on the out side of the frame and hope it works guess i'll have to pound the heck out of the truck to make sure the front doent come loose. ok guy i have another question, how important is the cross member i mean will the front end bust loose with out it? im going to build a new one but that bracket still looks pretty beefy. anyone got a good idea for rebuilding the xmember i saw one on here cut for 302 headers with a 351 pretty slick i was thinking something kinda like a 6 inch round bar cut in half and welded to the stock bracket and droped low enough to clear the headers. damn this is alot of work for a set of headers!!! i got 4x4 only headers from hedman still very slick headers but not much for for a 2x4

Jul 22, 2006 | 03:36 AM

"Beemer Nut"

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,658

Likes: 4

From: "Islander"

Those frames have a lot of overkill like that crossmember under the motor. I've seen trucks with the member removed without any ill effects. I would reinstall it if it were my truck. Think about cutting vertically the factory member after the bolt up area, weld a 3/8" plate. From the plate weld on 2 1/2" x 3/16" wall thickness tube that is mitered in sections for exhaust clearance. Just an idea? This would be a good time to rebuild your starter as headers must be unbolted to get it out. My exhaust comes out in three sections for future trans work if needed, used stainless band clamps with a X crossover then out the rear of truck.

.....=o&o>.....

Jul 22, 2006 | 04:13 AM

"Beemer Nut"

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,658

Likes: 4

From: "Islander"

jester; here's a few photos that spudly55 posted of a exhaust system I build, may give you some ideas. Both collector extensions had to be built from scratch as Thorley's pointed into the transmission.

http://home.comcast.net/~spudly55/EX1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~spudly55/EX4.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~spudly55/H2M.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~spudly55/M2T.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~spudly55/EXP.jpg

Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Jul 22, 2006 at 04:51 AM.

Jul 22, 2006 | 04:21 AM

jester_99_89

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

thats kinda what i was thinking for the xmember maybe a little different when i play with it tomarrow ill figure it all out. as for the starter i JUST replaced it i got some pipes built up a few weeks ago, i come home park then go to get lunch click click click. that suck ive had to put on or take off headers like 10 time in a last few weeks trying to get the flowtechs to seal up before i bought these. I really wouldnt worrie too much about that xmember i i was driving the truck alot but we've build this one for my girl friend so its gotta be kinda? safe.

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Joe Kucinski

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Brett Foote

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

Pouria Savadkouei

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Brett Foote

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Joe Kucinski

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Brett Foote

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Joe Kucinski

Jul 22, 2006 | 04:35 AM

jester_99_89

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 22

Likes: 0

ya i kinda figure if we were serposed to run'em with out a xmember ford could have saved about 15 bucks a truck, so i think i'll just grind it up a little and see if i cant make it work. i just got off the phone with summit for the 3ed time and they just gave me back almost 100 bucks for the headers because the messed up so bad.

Jul 22, 2006 | 05:00 AM

#10

"Beemer Nut"

Post Fiend

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,658

Likes: 4

From: "Islander"

It's bad when you start out with problems and "chop to fit", ends up a bigger mess in the end. I added another picture in the above post of the X crossover.
Me and this forum have a mental block on posting pictures.
The photos show Edelbrock RPM mufflers, with 2 1/2" to 3" and 4 1/2" tips, the drone chattered your ear drums. I now run Spintech's truck RV series mufflers and get vacuum pulses back to the O2 sensors. Band clamps make changes easy.

.....=o&o>.....