headers question

[golf4283]

So I just dropped a 302 with a T-5 into my 66 coupe and I have a mustang steve cable clutch. Im wondering what headers I can use. He says headman longtubes work perfectly for a 351w and I'm wondering if these headers fit the 302? If that's the case then I'll just go with these but if anyone else is using this setup and has any ideas that would be great.

 

[tx65coupe]

I too would like to know if anyone has any experience with this. I was thinking about getting a Modern Driveline clutch cable though. Their website FAQ says that Hedman 88660, Tri Y, and Hooker Supercomp. I would like to know if anyone has run any of these headers with a clutch cable setup. If you have a clutch cable setup on your 65-66 Stang, whose cable kit and what brand headers are you running?

 

[golf4283]

surely someone must know whether or not 351 headers will fit a 302.

 

[SadbutTrue]

surely someone must know whether or not 351 headers will fit a 302.

Well, the ports and boltholes are the same, so yes they'll fit. Its just a matter of how much the rest of the pipe moves since the deck height and width are greater.

IE the headers will bolt up but may not line up with the old exhaust. The Heddman swap headers for a 351w in 65/66 are a separate part. However, IIRC their normal line of headers may work just fine on both 351s and 302s, so my guess would be it'll probably work fine.

I am using a stock style Fox clutch cable with my 351w, T5 and those very same headers... for whatever thats worth. You'll be fine there as well, though I'd recommend routing the cable through the shock tower so you don't burn through it (as I did)

 

[golf4283]

yea I want to get the 351 swap headers so I'm not sure if they will fit. I want to do a 351w down the line and it would be cheaper to have that part already. What do you think about the swap headers?

also bolting up to old exhaust is no problem as my car currently has no exhaust.

 

[GT1966]

I have a '66 with a 302 running World Products Windsor Jr. heads and Tri-Y headers. Not sure about the cable clutch issue, but here's a heads-up: the primary tube on #5 needs to be modified so you can pull the sparkplug. Also, #1 tube needs to be massaged so you can access #2 plug. Pain-in-the-ass, but I thought I'd mention it, just in case you were running something other than stock heads.

 

[SadbutTrue]

yea I want to get the 351 swap headers so I'm not sure if they will fit. I want to do a 351w down the line and it would be cheaper to have that part already. What do you think about the swap headers?

also bolting up to old exhaust is no problem as my car currently has no exhaust.

Like I said, I believe when you get SBF headers for classics OTHER than 65/66s, the P/N for the 351w and 302 headers are often the same. The only reason they aren't the same for 66 is because the little bit of extra width/height of the 351 required a redesign for 351w headers that isn't necessary for 302s in those cars (fwiw, for such cheap headers... it is amazing how close they get. On one side I had barely a paper width between the header and the shock tower, but it never did hit... not sure if thats good metalwork/machining or not but its kinda cool to look at).

I bet that they work fine. The routings different but there's a good chance the end point is the same.

I'd recommend getting them from Summit or another place which has a real good return policy. Fab em up and if they don't fit return em, not a big deal. But like I said, I bet they work. If they don't mate up perfectly, its something easily fixed by a muffler shop for $50.

 

[SDaygo Mach 1]

JBA offers a pretty nice application too...
JBA Performance Exhaust
I know numerous ppl who use these headers and are very very pleased

 

[grainboy]

Mustang Steve told me that tri-y's are problematic, and that heddman shorties can work with wrap or shielding of some sort to keep the cable cool. I'm leaning towards K code manifolds, and ditching my log style.

 

[LW_horse]

Two issues with the Hedman engine swap 88660 (long tube) on a 302:

1. They are designed for use on a 351 in a 65-66 with stock shock towers =>
The bends on the tubing welded to flanges are very shap/tight, which reduces flow capabilities of the heads.

2. Since the 88660's are designed for a 351 with 1.3" higher deck, they will be closer to the groud on a 302 =>
Speed bumps will quite quickly reduce their diameter from 1 5/8" to ½"...


I'd go with a pair of 88650's (short tube) and modify them for the cable, or get a pair only fitting 289/302 in a 65-66.

 

[LW_horse]

Forgot to mention:
88650/88660 have oval ports/flanges to the heads.

Aftermarket heads today have rectangular exhaust ports.

The hedmans therefore reduce flow at a quite critical point, which in my opinion really sucks (bad design).

Go with, for example, JBA's that is recommended earlier in this thread; they have rect. ports...

 

[S-Car-Go]

I've got the M S cable and FPA headders. No problems. Added + is I didn't need a drop bracket for the power steering ram eihter. Mine is a 68 though.

 

[golf4283]

what are the FPA headers? do you have a link?

 

[S-Car-Go]

Ford Powertrain Applications

 

[rhyno9]

Mustang Steve told me that tri-y's are problematic, and that heddman shorties can work with wrap or shielding of some sort to keep the cable cool. I'm leaning towards K code manifolds, and ditching my log style.

Before you buy any headers check that they fit those windsor jrs. The plug angle is different than stock and I can say for sure that hedman 88400 shorties will cook the plug boots. Hedman 88660's are better but will still cook the boots. I am going to get hedman 88300's this afternoon and see if they fit better.

Right now the only header that seems to support the windsor jr head is doug's 669y-r $399 the other option is Wrench Rat Web Site

Summit doesn't have them in stock until the nov 11th so I will continue trying what my local speed shop has in stock.

To the original poster the 88660's hit my pitman arm and the driver side header is a complete PITA. The 2nd bolt for cylinder 7 is behind the tube making it almost impossible to tighten.

My setup is
68 351w with world windsor jrs and manual steering.

 

[jman340]

I've got the Headman Long tubes for a 289/302 in a '68 with a cable clutch setup. I needed to put a strap around the steering box to hold the cable away from one of the tubes, but other than that no problems. That area would not be any different on yours as it is between the bell housing and the header

 

[golf4283]

So which header number are you running? 88300/88308?

 

[rhyno9]

My setup is
68 351w with world windsor jrs t5 homemade cable clutch using a fox body cable and manual steering.

The 88300 line of header will not fit a cable clutch on a 351. The increased deck height puts the 5 and 8 tubes right in front of the bellhousing boss. They do clear my pitman arm so at least that issue was solved.

I will say that the quality of these hedman's (both 88660 and 88300) are pretty bad. The flanges are warped/bent and the boltholes don't line up to the head. One of them required me to open up 5 of the 8 holes.

In hindsight I should have spent the cash for the hooker super comps.

I will begin a hydraulic clutch conversion this afternoon and hopefully I can put this behind me.

 

[golf4283]

I ordered the 88308's from summitt for my '66. I will test the fitment when they come. I think they have a decent return policy IIRC so we shall see. I might just have to bite the bullet eventually though but for now I'm just looking to get the car running.

 

[rhyno9]

I ordered the 88308's from summitt for my '66. I will test the fitment when they come. I think they have a decent return policy IIRC so we shall see. I might just have to bite the bullet eventually though but for now I'm just looking to get the car running.

http://www.carcraft.com/howto/ccrp_0805_1967_ford_mustang_engine_swap/photo_16.html


I misspoke before it's actually the 5&6 cylinder that get in the way on the 351 on the 302 I think it would fit. The issue you will run into is that there is no way those 88308 will fit a 351 in at 64-66 chassis. I have 1/4 of an inch clearance on the steering box.