Headers known to Fit and Hit

[MustangDuce]

It seems there is alot of talk about what headers fit what combos and what had to be done to make it all work, and everyone has the same question but the answers are scattered. I was just wondering what who is using where, and I think alot of other folks are wondering too. Is it true that Fox shorty's wont' fit at all or is it just not practical? Are the cheapo headman ones worth wasting time with, or are the Hooker superComps a better bet. Like the Wheel/Tire combo post only for headers/engines

I am using stock iron manifolds on a 302 because they fit and they're all I have, and I can't justify $200+ for something that I am going to pound, cut, and obviously not be able to return, then end up pissed, horrified, and stuck with.

What Header/Engine does everyone else use?

 

[Power Surge]

Fox shorties don't fit, or at least, you'll be doing a LOT of modifying.

The Headmans work, just most people don't like them because of the one tube that runs under the frame. I know for a fact that the Headmans fit both the MII auto bellhousing, and the full size C4 bellhousing.

The Hooker Super Comps are the best bolt on MII header that you can still buy. They will only fit with the MII bell; they will not clear a full size C4 bell.

Both the Headmans and the Hookers are 1 1/2 primary tube size.

The obsolite BlackJack headers were a nice design and are still desireable. You see them sell for good money on ebay in good shape or NOS.

Other than that, I don't have any more info. I have never had headers on a stick II.

 

[LXXVICOBRA]

I've had both the Hookers and the BlackJacks on a V8 car with stock 4 speed trans. The Hookers fit very well and install quite easily. The passenger side consists of three individual pieces which slide together, two installed from the top if I recall correctly.

The BlackJacks required much more installation time, patience, and some minor "tweaking" in order to clear the bellhousing and fit properly. In addition, the #3 tube on the drivers is configured differently than the Hookers at flange area, although it isn't really a problem in itself. Instead of running parallel to the #2 and #4 tubes downward, it starts with a horizontal pass over the #4 tube, then goes down with the others. I felt it made changing that particular plug more difficult, but perhaps a different socket combination would render that a non issue. Otherwise, they seem pretty well made and designed.
I'm not certain if there's a difference in tube diameters between the two brands. Also, the Hookers come without bolt on collector flanges, which isn't a big deal either.

Personally, I'd buy the Hookers again in a minute were I to need replacements, despite their much higher cost. The BlackJacks are a solid second choice however, and may work better on a car with auto trans. The Headmans look ridiculous, because of their unusual tube routing on the #1 cylinder, which is also prone to damage since it goes under the front crossmember. I wouldn't recommend these given there are much better options, but have seen them installed (On a V8 Pinto no less).

 

[COBRAIIW]

With almost half the people on this forum looking for headers that fit and look good, for any of the many swaps, or original engines, I was thinking......

Could we get together a request to one of the header manufacturers to do a limited run of our style headers?

There are probably more people out there than us working on these mustangs that do not use the forums, and they have the same needs.

We could have a group buy like some of the clubs do.

Sal, do you have any contacts with the header manufacturers?

Maybe whoever bought out Blackjack might still have the prints and fixtures.

Never under estimate the power of mustang owners in large groups!

:SNSign:

 

[itsaMustangtoo]

I had learned awhile back that blackjack was purchased by
( dynomax ?) and the jigs were destoyed. A question about the hookers, I had a set of super comps and they seemed thin. How are they on the street ( rustthrough) ??

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

"Could we get together a request to one of the header manufacturers to do a limited run of our style headers?"



Dynomax has already said no a couple of times.

The hookers are still available, so there are II headers already on the market.

 

[COBRAIIW]

"Could we get together a request to one of the header manufacturers to do a limited run of our style headers?"



Dynomax has already said no a couple of times.

The hookers are still available, so there are II headers already on the market.

How about the 351Wswaps , and the 6cyl. and 4cyl. guys and girls out there?

I saw one used pair of headers for the 6cyl. on Ebay last night.

 

[Power Surge]

Sal, do you have any contacts with the header manufacturers?

I have already offered to have headers made for these cars in the past.

Here's the problem, and this is not meant to be offesnive, it's just the truth....

MUSTANG II OWNERS ARE CHEAP.

People complain that the Headmans are junk. They are a $130 header. Of course they are junk.

People complain that the Hookers COST TOO MUCH. They average about $350. They are a mid range quality header, and people don't want to spend that much on them.

I can have headers made. Even for just regular mild steel, a small production run of headers would be in the 500-600 dollar range, without me making any money on them. I've posted that in the past, and nobody wanted to spend that much.

In reality, most top quality production headers average about $800/set. Heck, headers for the new GT500 are $1400.

MII owners want a header that's good, but at the price of the Headmans. It just ain't gonna happen.

 

[dmoody]

MUSTANG II OWNERS ARE CHEAP.

Hey, watch it, I resemble that remark.

d

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

How about the 351Wswaps , and the 6cyl. and 4cyl. guys and girls out there?

I saw one used pair of headers for the 6cyl. on Ebay last night.

Racer Walsh still offers a 2.3 header, as does hedman. 2.8 headers turn up pretty regularly on ebay (seriously, how many 2.8s are being built anyway, besides blue?). 351 swap headers are available from hedman (as well as boss302 and 351C headers), and hooker lists them for 74+ pintos (same as II?).


Looking at the hedman 302 headers, I wonder if anyone has tried modifying the offending tube to be similar to the cyclone/blackjack/eagle/dynomax?

If you want cheap and easy, you may want to consider building something other than a II.

 

[cobraii351]

I redid the #1 tube like shown here...http://www.cobraii351.us/then-i-did I haven't had a single problem with that tube since. It's not perfect but it doesn't get smached or hit anything.

Tim

 

[Gael]

Hooker makes a 351w swap header which makes you lose your power brakes, and makes you cut a hole in your firewall.

I may be selling a set on ebay down the line, when I get my car back together more, I plan on just building my own headers.. like I should've the first time.

 

[parthos]

Hooker super comp headers get my vote, or a custom built set. I currently have a headman set, I'm not impressed with them, but it's all I've got right now, and no time left in the winter before racing to build a decent set.

 

[Steel Steeds]

Here's the problem, and this is not meant to be offensive, it's just the truth....

MUSTANG II OWNERS ARE CHEAP.

I got a good chuckle out of this, but after pondering it for a moment, I think I know why this seems to be true:
MII owners seem to fall into 2 main categories, those of us who've had our cars, or at least a II of some sort, for many years, and new owners who tend to be younger and looking for a cheaper classic Mustang. The first group remembers how cheap and plentiful the II was in the junkyards, how easy it was to find used parts, and is having a hard time adapting to the new realities of rarity. The second group simply can't afford to pay the higher price of modifying/maintaining a ~30 year old vehicle.

So, we often do look cheap! I'm spending more than twice as much on my current engine build up than I spent buying my King Cobra. 14 years ago.

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

I got a good chuckle out of this, but after pondering it for a moment, I think I know why this seems to be true:
MII owners seem to fall into 2 main categories, those of us who've had our cars, or at least a II of some sort, for many years, and new owners who tend to be younger and looking for a cheaper classic Mustang. The first group remembers how cheap and plentiful the II was in the junkyards, how easy it was to find used parts, and is having a hard time adapting to the new realities of rarity. The second group simply can't afford to pay the higher price of modifying/maintaining a ~30 year old vehicle.

So, we often do look cheap! I'm spending more than twice as much on my current engine build up than I spent buying my King Cobra. 14 years ago.

Excellent points. Add to that the fact that repro parts and parts in general for the mainstream collectibles are much less than good II parts, and I believe that explains the expectations of many.

Back when I was building Chevrolets, people just couldn't understand why I bought Hookers instead of the $49 cheapos (yeah, I'm old). You pay for junk, you get junk, I told them.

 

[MustangDuce]

This is great info guys thanks. It's funny how MII owners are so frugal, and yet we chose a fairly hard to fin,d expensive in the long run car to love! Sounds like hookers are worth the extra $. Has anybody got any thing from another application to work worth a damn? It's always interesting to see some guy who had "these" left from another project and spent months with a sawzall and a mig trying to force them to work. It seems that is another great thing about MII owners, not only are we frugal (I don't like to say cheap, it implies low quality!), we are very resourceful and are willing to make other stuff work, instead of giving up when you can't find the exact part. I like to thing that's why I don't have a Fox. They are way cheaper buy and build, but it's too easy, where's the fun in that? Belly button cars...

cobraii: Excellent photos, I have been looking for close ups of header and bumper installs! And dude, your garage looks like mine!

 

[mike78]

yes, I am cheap. I have the funny headmans, unmodified -- 90 degree down tube and all. But when I was doing my rebuild, I spent more on the internals than headers, and can always swap 'em later.

And the headmans -- 150.00 delivered via summit, and about 1 hour to install (nothing was there, it would take longer to remove old manifolds I suppose)

For all of the crap you here about the header install in general, I figured I would have a long project installing -- yes they are in many pieces, and no, no hammering, dimpling, cussing, or busted knuckles -- I was complety suprised with the install. 78 coupe, stock 302 and stock c4 w/small bell. my two centz, mike78.

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

Owned a set of Hedmans once...they came in a parts car I bought for the fresh engine.Prev owner tried to install them in a '74 with a C5 trans (large bell). They had smashed one tube on each side almost completely shut making them "fit". We won't even discuss how they "fixed" the radiator and core support to make the 302 go in.