Headers or Manifolds?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
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I would say yes....but the question is do you trust yourself to do it right, I know I don't. I did the sandblasting myself and went to a place and got them professionally done. Now I know that there won't be any issues in the future with burning headers.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 110
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From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by rsylvstr
does the 5.4L motor mount get in the way or is that just an issue with the 4.6L?
Having the correct tools and following directions, I would think a header job could be done in 8-12 hours. Of course mechanical experience makes a big difference.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
Originally Posted by xtrford
I would say yes....but the question is do you trust yourself to do it right, I know I don't. I did the sandblasting myself and went to a place and got them professionally done. Now I know that there won't be any issues in the future with burning headers.
but it can't be the same as ceramic coating.
I have a lot of mechanical experience, but the more i see how eaten away the bolts/studs are, the more i think it might be a job for the local shop, if they'll let me buy my own parts.....
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I think a little liquid wrench and a wire brush would clean up the studs and nuts. Of course, I put the headers on my truck when I only had 600+ miles. Everything came loose pretty easy. No air tools or hammer required. The sooner you do it, the better. Just hope putting a 4" ProComp suspension lift-kit won't be too hard with 26,000+ miles. I keep the truck clean, so I shouldn't have to worry about bolts being rusted or caked with crap.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
I keep mine clean too and store 4-5 months during the winter, UPSTATE NY winters are ROUGH....but with 92k and AT LEAST 2 broken studs (on the same flange too, HOW BAD IS THAT?) I think I might leave it up to the new (very highly rated) garage I'm going to.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 110
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From: Boston, MA
If you are lucky, there is a part of the studs sticking out when the exhaust manifold comes off. It would suck to have to drill it out and tap the hole. Not a lot of room to work with. BTW, how the hell do you brake a couple of studs?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 183
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From: MN
I see Summit is selling a set now as well- $149.95 what do you guys think? I was gonna sand blast them and get them ceramic coated as well- heres the specs- they have a set for both the 4.6 and the 5.4-
Material: Steel
Header Finish: Painted
Header Style: Shorty
Primary Tube Diameter (in): 1 1/2 in.
Collector Attachment: Stock flange
Collector Diameter (in): 2.500 in.
Tuned: No
Primary Tube Gauge: 16-gauge
Cylinder Head Port Shape: Oval
Flange Style: Standard
Flange Thickness (in): 3/8 in.
Bolts/Studs Included: Yes
Gaskets Included: Yes
Reducers Included: No
Y-Pipe Included: No
Quantity: Sold as a pair.
Material: Steel
Header Finish: Painted
Header Style: Shorty
Primary Tube Diameter (in): 1 1/2 in.
Collector Attachment: Stock flange
Collector Diameter (in): 2.500 in.
Tuned: No
Primary Tube Gauge: 16-gauge
Cylinder Head Port Shape: Oval
Flange Style: Standard
Flange Thickness (in): 3/8 in.
Bolts/Studs Included: Yes
Gaskets Included: Yes
Reducers Included: No
Y-Pipe Included: No
Quantity: Sold as a pair.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Great price, but they are only steel. The stainless steel with ceramic coating go for anywhere from $500-$800. I have no idea if there is much difference between all of them, performance wise. Almost anything is better than the stock exhaust manifolds. I figured for the money and only wanting to do the job once, I had to get stainless. Whether I got chrome, ceramic, or plain stainless depended on what else I was buying. I just didn't want to face rusting down the road.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
Hatingchevies.I would buy a better set. Get a good set of headers for truck use. Towing &offroad use is tough on headers. Plus installing a set on a 5.4 is a hard job.I have stainless steel JBAs on my truck. I put them on in 03. I have over 60,000 miles on them.They haven't leaked or given any problems. I've towed a lot with my truck plus I've bracket raced it a good bit. A friend put a cheap set on his F150. He replaced the gaskets several times in less than 1yr. After about 18 months one side cracked at the base plate. Save your money & get a good set is my opinion.
If I was going to put another set of shorty headers on my 5.4 I would use the Bassani. They are 14 guage tubes & come with SS Comp header gaskets. Also included are heat schields for protecting all the wiring. They fit much better than my JBAs. I helped put a set on a 99 F150 after I did my truck & the fit & finish was much better. The bolts more clearance around them & I didn't have to bend the EGR tube to make it fit like I did on the JBAs.
If I was going to put another set of shorty headers on my 5.4 I would use the Bassani. They are 14 guage tubes & come with SS Comp header gaskets. Also included are heat schields for protecting all the wiring. They fit much better than my JBAs. I helped put a set on a 99 F150 after I did my truck & the fit & finish was much better. The bolts more clearance around them & I didn't have to bend the EGR tube to make it fit like I did on the JBAs.
Last edited by lariat97; Apr 24, 2007 at 04:47 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
Originally Posted by 03-F150
If you are lucky, there is a part of the studs sticking out when the exhaust manifold comes off. It would suck to have to drill it out and tap the hole. Not a lot of room to work with. BTW, how the hell do you brake a couple of studs?
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 4,394
From: SW VA
Originally Posted by Greenscobie86
I could not find any specs for the BBK's though.
Brand: BBK Performance parts
Product Line: BBK CNC Series Performance Headers
Part Type: Headers
Header Material: Steel
Header Finish: Ceramic coated
Header Style: Shorty
Primary Tube Diameter (in): 1 5/8 in.
Collector Attachment: Stock flange
Collector Diameter (in): 2.500 in.
Tuned: No
Primary Tube Gauge: 16-gauge
Flange Style: Standard
Flange Thickness (in): 3/8 in.
Bolts/Studs Included: Yes
Gaskets Included: Yes
Reducers Included: No
Y-Pipe Included: No
Quantity: Sold as a pair.
Headers, Shorty, Steel, Ceramic Coated, Ford, Expedition/F-150 Pickup, 4.6L SOHC, Pair
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
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