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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 02:02 AM
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302 Headers????

Well I recently picked up a 1976 F-100 with a 302 and a 4 speed transmission. The man i picked it up from had a mild cam put in it, an intake, and a 4bbl holley carb. Im looking to put some headers on this and an exhaust. So I was wondering if headers from mustangs would work or only trucks? Also should I put on long tube or shorty headers?
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 08:07 AM
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No.. don't buy mustang headers they will make your life miserable, get truck specific headers and you won't have interference issues.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 09:22 AM
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Make sure that you get full length headers, not shorties. They will give you a much greater power gain.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 12:55 PM
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Understand frames same or simular, have a 65 F100 with T18 four speed and 4V 302, installed hooker long tubes and the only issue with clearance was on the passenger side at the crossmember the header flange touched slightly so to get additional clearance I took a 4" grinder and removed some material. Also installed Power Steering and Brakes and there was not problem with clearance.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 02:07 PM
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So it seems like everyone is set on long tube headers. I was wondering what size I should be getting 1 5/8", 1 1/2" or bigger. I'm thinking of going with the 1 5/8". How much HP do you think this engine will have with the mods on it and the headers added? I hear a 302 produces 195hp stock.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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As a general rule smaller primaries will give you more low end power and large primary tubes are for high RPM HP.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 09:19 PM
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I think ill go with the low end power I dont have a real need for high end hp. Does anybody have any suggestions on a type of header for me or any links. Im thinking of going with headman's from summit racing.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2009 | 09:43 PM
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As far as hedders, understand Hedman is a decent brand, I went with the Hooker because just happened to place a bid on a set on ebay and was surprise then there where no other bids, ended up costing $36 with shipping.

If intend a 'do it yourselfer' then may want to also look into the hedman offset extentions for getting around the tranny crossmember issue. Another option, posting pic where another FTE member, pro-street, modified to crossmember to solve the problem, I will likely do same with next set of mufflers.


https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=79912&width=2
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Ironman03R
As a general rule smaller primaries will give you more low end power and large primary tubes are for high RPM HP.

so is this the same with the collectors 2.5" collectors for low wnd and 3" for high rpms?
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by letsgomuddin85
so is this the same with the collectors 2.5" collectors for low wnd and 3" for high rpms?
Yeah, but 2.5 collectors are better than you think.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 01:04 AM
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oh i believe it
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 04:41 PM
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1.5" with 2.5" collectors is PLENTY for a 5.0, resist the urge to put big pipes behind them too, a 2.5" single will produce a broad powerband with high flow components(mendrel bends and quality mufflers).
An all original '76 truck 302 would probably be a low compression motor(for the era) meaning only 9:1 vs 10:1. It's impossible to say for sure of course without knowing all the dirty details, it could have smog era heads and be only 8.3:1. But even if it does it will make good power if the cam is reasonable, should make between 225-275hp depending upon the combo.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 73BlackBeauty
Well I recently picked up a 1976 F-100 with a 302 and a 4 speed transmission. The man i picked it up from had a mild cam put in it, an intake, and a 4bbl holley carb. Im looking to put some headers on this and an exhaust. So I was wondering if headers from mustangs would work or only trucks? Also should I put on long tube or shorty headers?
I have Flowtech Headers on my 76 F-100, no issues. That and then I have 2.25in exhaust w/ an h pipe and Flowmaster 40 series out back. Runs good, but I don't have a cam in it. All I have is a intake and a Edelbrock 600.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 07:47 PM
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i had a smog pump on my motor does that mean i have the 8:1 heads? my truck is an 85
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by letsgomuddin85
i had a smog pump on my motor does that mean i have the 8:1 heads? my truck is an 85
No.. pretty much everything from '78 on had a smog pump and the later motors were 9:1. If your motor is all original it's about 8.5-8.8:1
 
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