An exhausting question?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 223
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From: wichita falls, texas
An exhausting question?
55 with 302/351 and c4/aod, not sure which ill go with yet. anyways, are there any certain exhaust manifolds/headers that fit better than others on these 'ole beasts?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
A lot will depend on how much you want to spend. Especially in the gigantic engine bay of the 53-and-newer trucks, you shouldn't have too much difficulty finding manifolds/headers that fit a small block. Sanderson makes some very nice block hugger headers just for these engines in our trucks. About any stock, cast iron manifold will work. HIPO 289 repro manifolds are an upgraded breathing option if you don't want to mess with headers, but want better breathing, giving you a combination of both worlds. As Roger noted, suspension design, stock axle or IFS, will have a bearing on your decision.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
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From: Poway, Ca.
The location of the stock steering box is the biggest problem with exhaust, especially withthe MII front end. It's a very VERY tight fit in that little box between the motor mounts you will have to use, the frame and the stock steering box. The Sandersons should work ok.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
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From: Burbank, WA
My thought, exactly. The beauty of IFS is getting that bulky stock box out of the way.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: San Diego area. calif
I also had a clearance problem,when I used a 302 with after market power steering.I went with a 70's bronco exhaust manifold,close to the engine enough to pass the power steering and on to the exhaust system
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 223
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From: wichita falls, texas
*****, i have a set of of headman headers for a mustang II. when i get to that point, i'll check them. the headmans are kinda crude. the frt tube on the rt side is a slip in designed to go under the cross member instead of over. kind of a **** poor design. i decided not to put them in my cobra II because of it. these are new, never used. it's worth checking them in this application. if i can change that frt tube i'd be happier.
if you look at this link you can see what im talking about.
1975-1978 Ford Mustang II Hedman Headers - Hedman Headers - Mustang Parts - Faster Mustang
if you look at this link you can see what im talking about.
1975-1978 Ford Mustang II Hedman Headers - Hedman Headers - Mustang Parts - Faster Mustang
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Joined: Apr 2003
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I have a 302/AOD in a '55. I bought a set of Hedman's, not sure what application. One side fit. Then bought a set of Hooker's for a 1990's Mustang and the other side fit. A 1990's Mustang H-pipe fit the Hooker side and needed a bit of "massaging" on the Hedman side. More work than I wanted to do but it does fit now.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
I like Sanderson because they are high quality and they stand behind their product. If they say their headers will fit your application, they will fit or they will take them back and build you a custom set that does fit.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 4,735
From: Burbank, WA
I have a 302/AOD in a '55. I bought a set of Hedman's, not sure what application. One side fit. Then bought a set of Hooker's for a 1990's Mustang and the other side fit. A 1990's Mustang H-pipe fit the Hooker side and needed a bit of "massaging" on the Hedman side. More work than I wanted to do but it does fit now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
As another option, stock 86-93 Mustang shorty headers work pretty well. Available used on ebay in the $30-40 range. Very expensive new from Ford. Not sure of the alloy, but they don't seem to corrode so used is OK with a quick clean up. IMO they are an upgrade to most any cast iron manifold. Don't give you quite the low end torque full length headers do, but they come without most of the hassles of LTs too.