Sticky suggestion: Header Thread w/pics, model #s, and mods

[70vert]

I've got a suggestion that could hopefully save a bunch of us money, time, and aggravation. I'm researching shorty headers right now, and I find that there are a bunch of threads with descriptions, parts without specific part numbers, and general advice, but relatively few with searchable descriptions like "I used So-and-So Part #XXXX and here is a pic of how they fit". We need more of that. It could be driver's and passenger's side top, driver's side near the steering box looking down and back, from the bottom up, everything helps.

I'm happy to update this thread when I get something that works with my setup.

 

[NasaGT]

I think this is a great idea. I've done some searches on headers and found the same thing. Lots of threads with "you should use this", but hardly any threads of "I used this and it worked and here are pics"

 

[70vert]

I would almost like to do a chart, but too many responsibilities

full time job, keeping tenants who live in my duplex happy, etc. I think a thread will be sufficient, though - anybody who needs to look something up can use Stangnet's search function.

I can start off - no pics with headers, because the headers were never installed, but Hedman 88300 with McLeod 8660 Scattershield from Modern Driveline - do NOT fit. The Steeroids rack and pinion I am using is not the issue, it's the scattershield where a clutch cable goes in. Here's a pic of the space - the lower area where the two #5 and #6 tubes would go is obstructed by the scattershield.

It seems that for this setup, and cable clutches in general, a great shorty header that would work would be the JBA 1650S for regular heads or the 1650S-2 for GT40P or P-Head engines:

 

[BuckeyeDemon]

69 mustang
351W
TFS High Port Heads
toploader/tko600
manual steering
lakewood bellhousing
RobbMC mini starter

FPA Stepped Long Tubes (1 5/8" to 1 3/4")

FordPowertrain.com (they don't have a part number, but it is indicated on the webpage)

i had them coated "Cast Iron" by a different company after fitment.

-excellent clearance to the body.

-these are not designed to fit a car with HP heads. i believe they would have fit well in a car without these heads. one tube was hitting the oil pan side and rail. i'm certain it would have still hit on a car without the HP heads.

-there is no way these headers would clear a factory starter.

-i had to completely cut two primaries and make my own to clear the oil pan, bellhousing and some steering linkage. not sure i'm a fan of the ball and socket collector.

-i had to complete relocate the z-bar and linkage (again, probably due to the HP heads).

-in the end no dimples or crushed tubes.

 

[70vert]

Here are those JBA 1650s on a '65, '66 motor mounts, stock steering

Here's a pic I've found of the 1650SJS on a '65 mustang, '66 motor mounts required for them to clear the shock tower, with stock steering:

 

[70vert]

posted this on the VMF forums as well - here's the link. Hopefully together we can get lots of info out there:

The Header Pics Thread, with Part #s and Mods - Vintage Mustang Forums

 

[Tim65GT]

'65 Mustang, 5.0 w/AOD Transmission, Manual Steering, Stock Motor Mounts, Ron Morris AOD Crossmember.

Hedman Headers Elite Shortys, Part#: HED-88408, 1½” pri, 2½” cone out

I didn't want the hassle of possibly modifying long tube headers interfering with the wider AOD trans. I relocated the Park brake cable bracket a little outboard near the crossmember to clear the downpipe.

I was able to drop the motor in with them bolted on.

More pics here.

 

[70vert]

Thanks!!

great pics, nice writeup - crossposted to VMF, as well! :SNSign:

 

[tx65coupe]

I have a late model 302 in my 65. It has Edelbrock aluminum heads. I also have a T5 with late model bellhousing and a MD clutch cable. I went with the JBA mid length 1650SJS headers, since long tubes don't clear the clutch cable. I have RMP adjustable motor mounts.

I had to clearance the corner of the steering box with a grinder.

The instructions that come with the headers say that installing a monte carlo bar is required.

I will add this though. I tried the JBA H pipe for these headers and it did not fit well at all. It did not clear the transmission crossmember. I ended up having an exhaust shop make one.

I would definitely buy the headers again, but not the H pipe.

JBA Headers 1650SJS - JBA Headers Cat4ward Headers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[70vert]

TX65, I think that's your pic from mustangforums.com . . .

I think that was your pic I lifted from mustangforums.com. Thanks for posting it - it was helpful in my search for headers. I ordered first the 1650S uncoated to try out, and it has slight interference with my Steeroids rack just before the collector on the #8 tube. It could be dimpled, but I have the 1650S-2 on order just to try it out before I decide which one I'll keep. The S-2 is up at the top of this thread just under my pic of the 1650S.

Thanks for the clarification on grinding the edge of the steering box and using a Monte Carlo bar (to keep shock towers from sagging or flexing?) , that helps as I didn't note that with your photo.

 

[tx65coupe]

I think that was your pic I lifted from mustangforums.com. Thanks for posting it - it was helpful in my search for headers. I ordered first the 1650S uncoated to try out, and it has slight interference with my Steeroids rack just before the collector on the #8 tube. It could be dimpled, but I have the 1650S-2 on order just to try it out before I decide which one I'll keep. The S-2 is up at the top of this thread just under my pic of the 1650S.

Thanks for the clarification on grinding the edge of the steering box and using a Monte Carlo bar (to keep shock towers from sagging or flexing?) , that helps as I didn't note that with your photo.

Although it looks almost identicle, that picture is not mine. I have blue spark plug wires. I hope my tips help.

While your at it get a 1 peice export brace to add to the monte carlo bar. I did that along with subframe connectors to stiffen up my car and keep it in shape. It really does feel significantly better.

I have never heard of a JBA 1650S-2. All I know if is the 1650S, 1650SJS, and 1650SJT. JBA's website doens't list those.

http://products.jbaheaders.com/searchresults.asp

 

[70vert]

Here are some pics of the interference with the 1650S and Steeroids

The 1650S-2 pics are at the very top of this thread, and are what I have ordered and will get pics of in the next few days.

Here are pics of the interference with the 1650S and Steeroids rack steering shaft:

 

[70vert]

Here's the solution - JBA 1650S-2, higher and tighter

These are an absolutely perfect fit for my application. Couldn't be happier. Just sent them out to get Jet Hot coated.

 

[tx65coupe]

Thats cool. Mine came with ceramic coating.

 

[70vert]

almost the same cost to have them Jet Hot coated later

I would have ordered the ones that were coated at first, but wasn't sure if they'd fit or if any dimpling or other mods would have to be done, so I just ordered the uncoated ones. It ended up being only $40 more expensive to have them coated inside and out with Jet Hot's "Extreme Sterling" finish, with shipping. If you're near enough to their AZ or OK facility, shipping or even dropping them off shouldn't be too expensive, for shorty headers at least. I'd love to see a head to head comparison of JBA's ceramic coatings, for example, with Jet Hot, but I'm sure both are good.