Header recommendations - 65(3 on tree) with a 69 302
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
Header recommendations - 65(3 on tree) with a 69 302
Hi guys.... I'm looking for header recommendations for a 65 that originally had a 6 cylinder. It was converted to a 69 302 mustang engine at some point and I believe the transmission and everything else to be stock... I did do some searching but most what I could find left me confused (it's not hard :-)... So, without wielding/fabricating, are there any viable solutions out there?? Short or medium length would be fine too... From what I could gather the shorty's sound like a sure thing? If so, any recommendations would be appreciated... Thanks again!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 13
From: Asheville, NC
Sanderson shorty block huggers. Call them tell them the application and they will tell you which version works best. They list two - FF2 or FF5. I can’t remember which one I got, but called and they recommended one or the other and they fit great. I’d look, but truck is in NC and I’m currently working in TX
Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 48
From: Somerset, OH
Just search for headers for a 1969 f-100 with 302. Available space around engine & frame should be same as 65/66. Lots of options, though I didn’t pay attention as to whether they work with the 3 on tree.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
On my 65 with the 68 289/302 and T18 I installed Hooker long-tube many years ago and found the flange ends at the engine cross-member leaving little if any clearance, same with my other 65 with the 390 and column shift. I did take a grinder and remove a small amount of material from the cross-member but on severe rough terrain the flange would occasionally strike the cross-member and as a result twice pulled the passenger header and had shop weld cracks between the tubes, perhaps shorties, or perhaps cutting before the flange then weld a piece that extends beyond the cross-member as a possible solution??
I kept the original exhaust manifold and now in the process of replacing the Hooker Headers with the originals, I came across a set of stainless down-pipes from Summit that will mount perfectly and the flange extends far beyond the cross-member. I decided to keep the 4bbl set-up and figure to save money on the cost of headers, also recall how well it ran with the original exhaust.
I kept the original exhaust manifold and now in the process of replacing the Hooker Headers with the originals, I came across a set of stainless down-pipes from Summit that will mount perfectly and the flange extends far beyond the cross-member. I decided to keep the 4bbl set-up and figure to save money on the cost of headers, also recall how well it ran with the original exhaust.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 544
Likes: 72
From: Point Washington
I keep debating headers for my 1965 F-100, currently has a 302, getting a 1984 351W 4bbl. It has the small valve heads, and it's relatively low compression. I am refreshing the engine, and putting in a Comp Cams RV hydraulic flat tappet camshaft.
I think I'm going to use the stock 351W exhaust manifolds, dual exhaust. Not sure headers will gain much for me. The clutch Z bar tends to get in the way of most headers, even shorties.
I'm primarily looking for torque, I doubt the engine will ever see over 4000 rpm, so headers probably wouldn't help much.
But, dang it! I WANT headers!
I think I'm going to use the stock 351W exhaust manifolds, dual exhaust. Not sure headers will gain much for me. The clutch Z bar tends to get in the way of most headers, even shorties.
I'm primarily looking for torque, I doubt the engine will ever see over 4000 rpm, so headers probably wouldn't help much.
But, dang it! I WANT headers!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Yes I also wanted headers and had I noticed any significant difference I would again have a shop weld the cracks; having said that, when I purchased the crate 289/302 engine I informed the shop that I wanted a cam installed for the 4bbl application yet considering the smaller exhaust ports, rear axle ratio and T18 transmission limitations I found 3500-4000 rpm was pressing and rarely, if ever, got into the secondary jets? Anyhow, figure it is worth it all else fails I can have the cracks long tubes repaired?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 442
I keep debating headers for my 1965 F-100, currently has a 302, getting a 1984 351W 4bbl. It has the small valve heads, and it's relatively low compression. I am refreshing the engine, and putting in a Comp Cams RV hydraulic flat tappet camshaft.
I think I'm going to use the stock 351W exhaust manifolds, dual exhaust. Not sure headers will gain much for me. The clutch Z bar tends to get in the way of most headers, even shorties.
I'm primarily looking for torque, I doubt the engine will ever see over 4000 rpm, so headers probably wouldn't help much.
But, dang it! I WANT headers!
I think I'm going to use the stock 351W exhaust manifolds, dual exhaust. Not sure headers will gain much for me. The clutch Z bar tends to get in the way of most headers, even shorties.
I'm primarily looking for torque, I doubt the engine will ever see over 4000 rpm, so headers probably wouldn't help much.
But, dang it! I WANT headers!
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
Guys thanks... Maybe I'll just stick with stock exhaust manifolds... I have a leaky exhaust somewhere up front so I was thinking now's the time to maybe switch to headers.. A little HP boost cant hurt?
Thanks again! Jack...
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 544
Likes: 72
From: Point Washington
I just picked up a set of FOX Mustang 1988-93 tubular exhaust manifolds. 20 bux on Marketplace. They look like they will work on the drivers side. I'll give the drivers side a test fit tonight. They are supposed to work well up to about 300 hp, and they are plentiful.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
I just picked up a set of FOX Mustang 1988-93 tubular exhaust manifolds. 20 bux on Marketplace. They look like they will work on the drivers side. I'll give the drivers side a test fit tonight. They are supposed to work well up to about 300 hp, and they are plentiful.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 544
Likes: 72
From: Point Washington
Fox manifolds are a bust.....
Fox manifold dumps right into the clutch Z bar. I could probably cut up a pair, make a drivers side unit, but that defeats the whole "Simple and Cheap" concept.
I do think they would work just fine with an automatic. Anyone wants to give that a try, Ill donate the set I have, and the head pipe sections to the cause. Shipping would be the only cost.
I do think they would work just fine with an automatic. Anyone wants to give that a try, Ill donate the set I have, and the head pipe sections to the cause. Shipping would be the only cost.
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