I have just learned a very valuable lesson.When I replaced the headers on my 66 ford 4x4 truck with a 390 engine I originally wanted a good header like hooker.The parts counter person told me it would "take a while" to get this header because it would have to be made since they didnt have any in stock.Well,not being the most patient person in the world I opted to go with the brand that was available to me right away.The counter person/salesman told me that he had very good results with "dynomax" headers on his chevy truck,in fact he told me that he knew of alot of people that had used these on lots of chevy trucks.Not being a chevy fan,this did not impress me much,but I went for it.I bought a set of headers for a 1966 ford 4x4 1/2 ton column shift automatic truck.When I put them on I noticed that the collector for the right header had not been completely welded,you could see daylight through the collector.I called the store and asked them what to do.They directed me to a shop that would repair them and I would not have to pay for it.With that done I reinstalled the header using the cardboard gasket provided.Well,anybody who has ever owned a fe w/headers knows it will leak eventually.Sure enough the header gaskets started leaking.I bought a set of steel reinforced gaskets,installed them and still had leaks,right away.Then I bought a set of copper gaskets for my headers.Installed them and the leaks got worse!It was time to do some investigating.I inspected the steel reinforced gaskets and found that the header had left an indent on the paper part on the gasket.The top of three of the ports were not sealed w/the gasket,in fact they were into the exhaust port by about 1/8".I checked this gasket on a spare head and discovered that if I turned the gasket upside down,slotted bolt holes for headers normally go down it would cover the port more evenly.So I removed the copper gaskets and reinstalled them,the copper gaskets because they are reuseable,upside down and NO MORE LEAKS.I also have a set of hooker headers for my mustang w/390.I checked the steel reinforced gaskets against these headers and they fit perfectly,RIGHT SIDE UP.So what I have here is a set of garbage headers that I was talked into buying buy someone who doesnt know any better than to drive a chevy.I am expecting that these dynocrap headers will not last long and I will by the good stuff later.Just thought someone should know

 

As much as I like blaming cheap header manufacturers, this may not be the cause of your problems. The Hooker headers I bought for my truck will not match up to the edelbrock heads. Apparently Ford had two (at least) different exhaust ports for FE motors. Hooker lists one gasket for the truck and a different one for the cars. I think the copper gaskets are a match for the car header gasket listed by hooker because they also fit the edelbrock heads. The hooker headers I have mate up fine to the original truck heads, but are about 1/4" off on the edelbrock. I've read on a FE forum that FPA makes a set that will fit the edelbrock heads in my truck. Which is a shame because the hooker ones look great with the ceramic coating.

Here's two link that talk about the problem in more detail:

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/message?forumid=74182&messageid=997855728

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/message?forumid=74182&messageid=997828456

Reggie

 

I have Dynomax headers on my 390 and have bad leaks also. Can you tell me what you did that worked. I'm a little unclear from the post above. Which gasket, and which configuration has worked for you? Looks like the copper , upside down is where you ended up. Which copper gasket are you using?

 

I think you guys are fighting the different exhaust port heights on the FE’s. Here is a pic of C8OE-N CJ heads which have the high-exit exhaust ports which are in the same location as most pre ’66 heads. Reference the distance between the top of the ports and the top bolt holes.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=2951&.jpg


Here is a pic of D2TE-AA heads which have the low-exit exhaust ports which are in the same location as most post ’66 heads.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=2952&.jpg

Maybe the header flange is designed to mate to the high-exits instead of the low-exits. Flipping the header gasket may match the head but not the header flange or vice-versa.

 

Great picture!

My Edelbrock heads exhaust port look like the CJ heads pictured. My headers look like they fir the bottom set of heads. That why I am blowing header gaskets and will replace them soon with FPA headers.

Reggie

 

Maybe I should just get the Edelbrock Heads like I planned. There's a $1200 solution to a $250 problem :-) If i did get the Ed heads, what gasket has worked well for you guys?

 

But Greg, didn't you just sell your truck on ebay?

 

If you get the Edelbrock heads, don't get hooker headers - they will not fit. Verify which exhaust port configuration you have, then verify with the header maker that it will fit the heads you have on the truck.

I'll be getting rid of my hookers in the next couple of months.

Reggie

 

gtex,The winning combo was like you said,copper gaskets(I like these because are reusable) or steel reinforced gaskets from fel-pro,turned upside.

 

BBB,the heads I have are c1ae.I'm not sure of the height of the exhaust ports,but I dont think it is anything as nice as your c8oe heads.

 

sunny-in holister,What are your hookers for and how much?

 

sorry gtex,I got the copper gaskets from ,of all places,j.c.whitney

 

>sunny-in holister,What are your hookers for and how much?

Remember, they won't fit CJ style exhaust ports or Edelbrock heads

Send me an email at rdavis21@pacbell.net

Reggie

 

>BBB,the heads I have are c1ae.I'm not sure of the height of
>the exhaust ports,but I dont think it is anything as nice as
>your c8oe heads.


Thanks but guess what? Your C1AE heads have the high-exit exhaust ports just like the CJ but with only two bolts per port and the intakes are just as big too! You can run any of the Ford and aftermarket big port intakes including the tripower with no port match problems.

 

Truck may have sold. A high school student was the only bidder, and I'll be surprised if he actually purchases the truck. I'm really disappointed in capitalism at this point. 1 bid on a 7 day auction for a truck with alot of potential. Oh well, I've got to get rid of some vehicles. too many trucks, cars and boats in the driveway :-)