just tried to install my pypes and need headers!!!

[panteramatt]

My plan was to install my pypes x-pipe back exhaust from the stock downpipes and wait till later to buy some nice headers. Well thats not the case. The x-pipe goes too far towards the downpipe and Ill need custom downpipes made if I go shortys or use longtubes so I might as well put some nice headers on there. So I have a 69mach1 with a 351w with powersteering and a fmx. I will later be installing a 4RW tranny. So what headers will give me the least amount of problems? I know shoerty are the easiest but are there any longtubes that might fit AND not cost an arm and a leg? Was thinkin of some of these so far:

http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Ford-Small-Block-351W/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-88656

[johnpro]

The only long tubes that I'm aware of, that won't require the use of the dreaded PS drop bracket are the Hooker Comps.  They are very good headers, and clear the stock brackets on a 351w.  Both Sac69 and I are using those headers, and neither of us needed the drop bracket.

I would highly recommend getting them ceramic coated!!!

Of course, with shorties, the possibilities are much greater.

[buening]

I'm ran ceramic coated Hooker Comps with my 70 351w FMX.  Collector flanges were pretty close to the oil pan lip, and a dent was needed in one of the tubes that end up touching the steering box.  No real big issues though.  I did have clearance issues with the trans tunnel support and the collector reducers, as the headers somewhat point upwards. I had to dent the collector reducers that are welded to the head pipe/xpipe.

You may not have these issues though, as every car is different and I may have gotten a fluke pair of headers. 

[panteramatt]

With those hookers; hows the ground clearance? Where did ya get em?

[johnpro]

With those hookers; hows the ground clearance? Where did ya get em?

I got mine at a swap meet for $35, then sent them to Jet Hot to get ceramic coated.  Ground clearance is FANTASTIC!  I have never once scraped or banged a header, even going over speed bumps.

Like Buening, I had to ding the driver's side where it goes by the steering gear box, and another ding to clear the McCleod scatter shield.  If you don't have a scatter shield, you may have less "modifications" to make to the headers, but like Buening says, each car is slightly different.

[buening]

Amazingly my headers cleared the Quicktime scattershield, but it is for the 10.5" clutch....not sure if that helped any.

Ground clearance is not an issue.  Actually, I just dropped my motor 1" and ground clearance is still fine.  I'll have to snap some pics whenever it's on the ground to show the clearance.   With the 351w, the deck height is 1" taller than the 302...so basically I now have the ground clearance a 302 would have with these headers.   

[panteramatt]

Does anyone run the hookers with an aod? Do you guys think it will clear my fmx and later my 4r70w? How did you ding and dent them without messing up the ceramic?

[panteramatt]

Are these the ones? If so how bad was the install?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-6901-1HKR/

[johnpro]

Are these the ones? If so how bad was the install?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-6901-1HKR/

Yes, those are the ones.

Does anyone run the hookers with an aod? Do you guys think it will clear my fmx and later my 4r70w? How did you ding and dent them without messing up the ceramic?

Yes.  I'm assuming with an FMX, you have a 351w already.  That's the combo that Sac69 is running with his Hooker Comps.  You'll probably have to modify your exhaust, though, when you switch to the 4r70w, as it's wider than the FMX.

What I did to ding/dent mine was to put one my welding gloves over it, then took a BFH to it.  Didn't phase the glove nor the JetHot ceramic coating.  Had I been a little smarter, I would have done the dinging/denting before sending them off.  Yes, I thought about this, the day after I dropped them at UPS to ship to JetHot.  DOH!  Your mileage may vary, but just use something very thick like leather to protect the finish and odds are, you can bend the pipe where you need without effecting the ceramic finish.

[panteramatt]

So how low do those headers sit and how wide are they at the collectors? Im kust worried about fitment when I switch to the 4r. Any other headers suggestions? How about mid lengths?

[johnpro]

So how low do those headers sit and how wide are they at the collectors? Im kust worried about fitment when I switch to the 4r. Any other headers suggestions? How about mid lengths?

On my '69, the headers are tucked up very close to the floor pans, with 3" wide collectors.  I'll bang the oil pan FAR before I hit the headers.  I doubt you will find a long tube with more ground clearance than a '69/later 351w with Hooker Comps.

I've never heard of mid length headers .. not saying the don't exist, but I've never heard of them.

[panteramatt]

Patriot and jba make some. My friend has a new set of bbk shorties he had for his foxbody. Wonder if they will fit? Do you think the hookers would be a lot better performance and sound wise than shorties?

[johnpro]

Patriot and jba make some. My friend has a new set of bbk shorties he had for his foxbody. Wonder if they will fit? Do you think the hookers would be a lot better performance and sound wise than shorties?

Fox Body Mustang headers absolutely will not fit.  The shock towers on our cars get in the way.

Full length headers make their power, normally, at the top of the power band, and shorties make their power at the bottom.  So it all depends on where you want your power and what you want it for.  For a street machine, most people will get more advantage from shorties, as they don't get to see the top of their power band much.  For the Track, it's the opposite.

It's also important to consider your engine build, in making your final decision.  It wouldn't make sense to put shorties on an engine with the power band starting above 1500 RPM's.  Likewise, it wouldn't make sense to put full length headers on an engine that makes it's power starting under 1500k.