Exhaust dilemma
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Urbandale, Iowa
Exhaust dilemma
Here we go again...
Took my exhaust manifolds off the 68 390 - sandblasted them - took them to the machine shop for a little straightening and welding of the driver side log. The machinist says it's not fixable, the crack is about 3 inches long vertically between numbers 6 and 7 on the outside, also has a small crack on the engine side in the same place.
Now, I can find another log on ebay, or a yard, but I'm leaning towards headers (with all their attendant problems). I have heard that FE's have restrictive exhaust, and opening them up with headers is a good thing. I've also read that putting headers on a stock FE is like putting lipstick on a pig, and without other mods that I'm not yet ready to do, (cam, heads, etc), it's a waste of time and money. I will be running dual exhaust, with a crossover and probably Flowmaster 40's as well.
I need a little advice. I do plan on re-doing the engine eventually, just not right now. Should I bite the bullet and go with the headers, or stick to stock for now?
Thanks!
Pat
Took my exhaust manifolds off the 68 390 - sandblasted them - took them to the machine shop for a little straightening and welding of the driver side log. The machinist says it's not fixable, the crack is about 3 inches long vertically between numbers 6 and 7 on the outside, also has a small crack on the engine side in the same place.
Now, I can find another log on ebay, or a yard, but I'm leaning towards headers (with all their attendant problems). I have heard that FE's have restrictive exhaust, and opening them up with headers is a good thing. I've also read that putting headers on a stock FE is like putting lipstick on a pig, and without other mods that I'm not yet ready to do, (cam, heads, etc), it's a waste of time and money. I will be running dual exhaust, with a crossover and probably Flowmaster 40's as well.
I need a little advice. I do plan on re-doing the engine eventually, just not right now. Should I bite the bullet and go with the headers, or stick to stock for now?
Thanks!
Pat
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Exhaust dilemma
Well the info you got about headers on a stock FE is wrong. You aren't going to see 50HP but it will improve performance a little. You can get stock logs at virtually any junkyard. They are all over the place. The choice is pretty much yours and I won't try and sway you either way. Its all dependent on how much you want to mess with things. Stock logs last almost forever and hardly ever need maintenance. You can easily change your starter with logs. Not so easy with headers. I won't run anything but headers on an FE but I'm just that kind of person. 
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
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From: Urbandale, Iowa
Exhaust dilemma
Thanks Ratsmoker.
Like I said, I've heard it both ways...
So if a guy decides to go with headers, do shorties give you better access to the starter? I've seen some cast iron jobs on ebay, I think they were represented as stock headers. Would those be a better way to go in terms of starter access?
I will be running both pipes down the passenger side as I will be replacing the auxillary tank that is currently missing.
Like I said, I've heard it both ways...
So if a guy decides to go with headers, do shorties give you better access to the starter? I've seen some cast iron jobs on ebay, I think they were represented as stock headers. Would those be a better way to go in terms of starter access?
I will be running both pipes down the passenger side as I will be replacing the auxillary tank that is currently missing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Exhaust dilemma
Cast Iron headers were a factory performance item and are usually very pricey. Shorty headers usually offer good access to the starter. They are much better than logs but not better than long tube headers as far as performance goes. They might be the key for a stock FE though. Might want to look into it. I'm not sure where you can get a set but any shorty will "probably" work on a truck since they are "probably" designed for a mustang or another car and there is more room in a truck engine bay. Better ask the manufacturer though.
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