Hello

I'm getting ready to put Hedman Elite headers, elelbrock intake, carb, cam\lifters and tiiming chain in a 1976 4x4 390 highboy.

3 questions:

Are Hedman Elite the best headers, based on quality? ( 14 guage tubes 3/8 flange)

The Elelbrock Timing chain has multiple keyway settings, which one do I use for a stock 390 with their performance pkg?

I'm looking for a heavy duty starter with heat sheild. Without headers, heat soak seems to kill the Pep Boy's lifetime warranty starters. I'm tired of starting my truck and worried if it will start after a half hour of in town driving.

Can someone supply P/N's for a decent heavy duty starter and heat sheild to use with headers? I'm tired of changing starters every 6-8 months. Let alone the PITA after the headers are installed.

Thanks

 

I have never had a problem with my starter getting heat soaked from the headers. you could get a nice mini style from RobbMc, but it's your money.

T/C is short hand for torque convertor by the way.

Install the timing chain "stright-up" or 0 degrees unless you are degreeing the cam in and it needs to be adjusted one way or the other.

Hedman, Dynomax, Stans, Hooker etc all make decent headers these days.

Josh

 

Thanks for the correction about the TC I have to question the starter and header advice. The stock starters from Pep boy's last about a year or two for me. 2 motors, and 15 years exp. The wife works there. I'm looking for the mini style I guess, if it can give me an improvement. If it cannot, I wont go there. As you stated, my money.

As far as headers, hookers, 16 guage, hedman 14 guage. If Hookers quality is better, I'll go with them. That is the advice I'm looking for.

Thank you for the Timing Chain advice, I apreciate it.
Thanks

 

The hedman is a thicker metal, as you noted, but Hooker is known more for their performance.

Do you have part numbers for the headers you comparing?

Not sure what the problem is with your starters other than the quality could probably be better for you. I have had the same starter for 16+ years. I am the second owner of my 1974 truck and have no idea how long the starter was there before I got it.

Same starter for 16+ years installed on 7 different engines, from a 9.0 compression 390 to a 11.5 compression 427. The starter is currently on my 10.5 compression, 18 degree initial timing 428 and has no difficulty whatsoever turning the engine over on a 100 degree day after cruising the whole afternoon.

I also have huge 2/0 welding cable for battery cables and the starter lead which I believe helps tremendously. My battery also has 1200 CCA. Which is my 3rd battery over the 16 years.

Josh

 

I also have huge 2/0 welding cable for battery cables and the starter lead which I believe helps tremendously. My battery also has 1200 CCA. Which is my 3rd battery over the 16 years.

Josh

Josh

I Think I'll try the larger Battery cable. That just may do it.

Thanks

Rich

 

Here is a pic of my solenoid...



Josh

 

I run a Powermaster XS mini starter thats good for up to 18.0:1 ($237.95 from Summit) on my 390 and have had 0 problems with it, it has a full billet clockable mounting for oil pan and header clearance and a Thermo-Tec starter wrap ($23.95 from Summit). I have had heat soak problems with all my fe motors with headers, especially hot starts, this eliminated the problem for me so its an good investment if you are willing to fork out the cash. Here are the links.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-9506/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/THE-14150/

 

The only mini-starter worth mentioning... significantly smaller and infinately adjustable.

http://www.robbmcperformance.com/pro...t_starter.html

Josh

 

To each their own..I'm happy with what I got, nice to see that there is a variety to choose from out there for the fe though...I might have to check it out if I do another fe powered toy, I added it to my fe favorites list...Thanks Bullitt390

 

HMMMMMM Choices choices! I am ready to purchase either one. Any bad opinions about either starter? Seems the price is a wash. Do the spec's mean anything about the diference between the two in your opinion?

Thanks

 

you can use a starter from a 1994 f250 with a 460 and it is smaller and has reduced gearing

I have a 572 with 15:1 and would eat up 1979 f150 oreilly starters and changed to these and I have had 1 on my mustang for 3 years with NO PROBLEMS

 

For the Manual Tranny Prostart P/N 12372 price $125.00 Lifetime warrantee. And they will credit my old starter. WOOHOO!! This will fit the FE 390 with headers? I had no issue with the mini starter, but if this is a better option, especially with the cables Josh mentioned earlier, and a heat sheild....

Josh, where did you get the lugs for that welding cable?

Thanks Guy's

 

460 starters do not fit Ford FE engines.

You can get the lugs at any welding shop or even NAPA may have them as well.

Josh

 

I just ordered this starter. I hope I dont get a wet feeling.. Think a starter wrap heat sheild will help\hurt? The company did not offer one.

 

I'm running a mini-starter because the standard bendix-style starter can't be removed with the headers in place on my straight six. While this probably won't be a problem on your 390, the reduced size is a plus. You have to be very careful when retrofitting PMGR-style starters so that hot-at-all times wiring does not go near the headers.