Headers?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
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Originally Posted by William
Take some wrenches, a propane torch, a can of PB Blaster and go to the junk yard, remove the right manifold from any Ford pickup with a FE motor. Closley inspect the manifold for corrosion, and cracks on the ears (where the bolts go through). After finding a good manifold have it resurfaced, install new studs. Start your truck and get the engine to operating temprature. Carefully loosen the top manifold bolts. Use lots of PB Blaster, and heat the head with the torch if the bolts are really rusted. Remove the old gasket, clean the head with acetone and reinstall the re-conditioned manifold. Torque the bolts to 10 FP. Tighten from the center bolts out.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
If you go with headers, you'll have to spend the extra money to have your existing exhaust pipes modified to accept headers.
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
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I disagree regarding headers. Good quality headers properly installed will last
a longggg time and give great power. I installed a set of Thorley nickel plated headers on my '66 F250/390 torquey tow motor over ten years ago and they are just fine. I went through the log manifold restoration crap for two years when I first bought my truck in '94. Now it sounds great and pulls my enclosed trailer with no problems. I did have to fabricate heat shields for the alternator and starter, but that was no biggie.
Regards,
Don Rositch
a longggg time and give great power. I installed a set of Thorley nickel plated headers on my '66 F250/390 torquey tow motor over ten years ago and they are just fine. I went through the log manifold restoration crap for two years when I first bought my truck in '94. Now it sounds great and pulls my enclosed trailer with no problems. I did have to fabricate heat shields for the alternator and starter, but that was no biggie.
Regards,
Don Rositch
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: East Central Florida
Guys, In the FWIW Department . . . . .
If y'all used OEM steel shim type exhaust manifold gaskets, like 429s or 460s still do,
instead of those composition gaskets with the steel surfaces, that insulate cast Iron from "giving up" heat to engine coolant in the head, as it is designed to do, maybe y'all wouldn't have so much hassle with cracking CI exhaust manifolds. . . . . There was a TSB on that, way back in the day, when nearly everything had a Y Block or an FE with those CI Log Manifolds, especially the Bat Wings on the PI & HO Muscle engines. . . .
FBp
If y'all used OEM steel shim type exhaust manifold gaskets, like 429s or 460s still do,
instead of those composition gaskets with the steel surfaces, that insulate cast Iron from "giving up" heat to engine coolant in the head, as it is designed to do, maybe y'all wouldn't have so much hassle with cracking CI exhaust manifolds. . . . . There was a TSB on that, way back in the day, when nearly everything had a Y Block or an FE with those CI Log Manifolds, especially the Bat Wings on the PI & HO Muscle engines. . . .
FBp
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
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When I had problems with cast iron manifolds I still had the 352 and I did
use steel shim gaskets (one of my best friends was a Ford/LM mechanic in
the sixties and he said the same regarding the heat). Problem was the
quality of the available replacement manifolds, my originals were cracked
beyond repair (pieces missing). My nickel plated headers no longer shine,
but I haven't had to touch them in ten years and I drive this truck a lot.
YMMV.
Regards,
Don Rositch
use steel shim gaskets (one of my best friends was a Ford/LM mechanic in
the sixties and he said the same regarding the heat). Problem was the
quality of the available replacement manifolds, my originals were cracked
beyond repair (pieces missing). My nickel plated headers no longer shine,
but I haven't had to touch them in ten years and I drive this truck a lot.
YMMV.
Regards,
Don Rositch
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 1
From: East Central Florida
Don, I'm not dissing headers with my comment.
In many cases good headers are a great investment for lotsa' good reasons. I'm just throwing in what your friend & I both learned from "Henry & his TSBs" years ago, just incase somebody wants to know how to keep their CI Logs out of the salvage bin.
FBp
In many cases good headers are a great investment for lotsa' good reasons. I'm just throwing in what your friend & I both learned from "Henry & his TSBs" years ago, just incase somebody wants to know how to keep their CI Logs out of the salvage bin.
FBp
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