Headers with out the headache
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 171
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From: Idaho
Headers with out the headache
Does anyone run shorty headers on their 390. I want headers, but i don't want to burn out the starter. this will be a weekly driver truck. I'm working on the plans for my dual exhaust right now, and i'm trying to decided which headers, or exhaust manifolds i'm going to use. thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I've had regular headers on my '67 for 4+ yrs and never had starter issues. Still original starter from when I bought the truck in '02. Never put any heat shields or anything. My '69 never had starter issues and it's had headers for 20yrs. It's not a daily driver, but still gets hot from summer use.
I guess you just have to get lucky? or have decent starter to begin with? I run regular junk in mine(nothing special).
I guess you just have to get lucky? or have decent starter to begin with? I run regular junk in mine(nothing special).
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: East TN.
My 69' has had headers for approx. 8 yrs. with 5 of those years being driven every day. Ive never had starter probs. with mine. Mine are hedmen long tubes. They were black painted then, but are ceramic coated now. Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 182
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Anybody ever run the Sanderson shorties? Been considering that, with the Flowmaster swivel-ball joint collectors, thermal coating, and locking fasteners to help eliminate typical header problems. They aren't as efficient as 4-2-1 style, but I have the dual tanks and will have to run the exhaust out the passenger side; the truck is a '72 camper special so 'style' is not what I am after so the dual tank set-up has to stay.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,077
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From: Vallejo, CA
I have Sanderson headers on my 390. I still wrapped my starter in a special thermal sleeve as cheap insurance. I have not had any problems in the 4k miles since doing it.
Here is a link to a photo of my headers after I painted them.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...174892&width=0
Here is a link to a photo of my headers after I painted them.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...174892&width=0
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Glad to hear that you are happy w/the Sandersons'. For the starter, I'll probably grab a page from my Mopar knowledge- use a later Nippondenso (they were placed on ChryCo V-8s' in the late '80's) with the available factory heat shield and the TBC on the headers. It works great on the old Valiant and was cheap- not even $12 out the door at Pull-A-Part; the truck won't be near as cheap due to the fact the mini starters were not factory-fit on FE motors.
