Yet another header thread.....

[Lemon Owner 11]

I know this has been done to death but I really need some advice as to the suitability of a set of headers for my specific application. Because I am in Australia there will be no returns so I kinda need to get it right first time.

 

My mach1 is a stock matching #'s 351W with FMX, power steering and power brakes. It is 4V with a mild cam but no head work. The near new exhaust system is a high flow 2 1/4 inch. I want a set of Quality headers in a tri Y design that will not need any modification with a BFH or otherwise.

 

I have my heart set on Doug's D669Y Tri Y ceramic coated but I am unsure of fitment. I believe I will need the power steering ram relocation bracket for these but nothing else. Anyone used these or have other suggestions?

[jholmes217 65]

Ford Powertrain Applications (FPA) has a great repution, and they are a Tri-Y design. Here's a link to their web site. The owners name is Stan. I do believe they will ship to "the Land Down Under." http://www.fordpowertrain.com/

[LindenBruce 27]

Doug's have a good reputation. Those are mid-length so you won't need the steering drop bracket. You only need the bracket for full length tri-y's or four tube headers.

 

FPA and JBA are also great headers. If you are really worried about fitment I would suggest going with "shorties". They will still breath a lot better than factory manifolds. Bruce

[Lemon Owner 11]

Thanks for the advice. CJ's have got back to me with a price with shipping to Australia ($206 ouch) for dougs. Just waiting for FPA to get back to me and I will see who comes up with the better price/value. I need to bite the bullet, I'm sick of the little leaks at the heads and collectors.

[Lemon Owner 11]

The Dougs arrived today and I am very pleased with the quality. I really don't feel like laying under the car and being covered with sparks from the welder so I will take it to a specialist to get them fitted. I will let you know how they go.

 

As you said Linden they are midlength so they shouldn't need the power steering drop. Although when I asked CJ's about fitment they said they probably would.

[BigDuke6 17]

The Dougs arrived today and I am very pleased with the quality. I really don't feel like laying under the car and being covered with sparks from the welder so I will take it to a specialist to get them fitted. I will let you know how they go.

 

As you said Linden they are midlength so they shouldn't need the power steering drop. Although when I asked CJ's about fitment they said they probably would.

 

"probably would fit". LOL. That's what I call a leap of faith. I think that the only headers that are guaranteed to fit are shorties. The next easiest to fit but are not guaranteed are Triple Ys. Long Tubes are nothing but headaches. I went through 3 pair of LTs that would not fit before getting a pair made up at Ford Power Train. And even those were a tight fit. I hope yours fit. Good luck.

[Lemon Owner 11]

These dougs are the tri Y's in the midlength. They are somewhere between a shorty and a full length. The car is currently fitted with midlengths and there are no clearance issues. But they are such poor quality in the heads and flanges that I can't get them to seal well.

 

The car is booked in Friday morning and I have purchased a steering drop just in case. So with a bit of luck it will be ok.

[Lemon Owner 11]

So the Dougs have been fitted and I have to say they are great. They fit well without the use of the steering drop and look pretty sweet too. They clear the shock towers and steering box by about a quarter inch although they did have to jack the engine to fit them. Being ceramic coated they do actually bring down under hood temperatures which surprised me. Power is up slightly throughout the rev range compared to the cheap midlengths I had previously. The engine runs slightly smoother off idle now but that is mainly because there are no longer any gasket leaks. All in all I am very pleased and while it cost around $1000 for the headers, freight to Australia and fitment I feel it was money well spent. It will be a few months before I can truely guage their quality but I am so far impressed. :clap:

[MustangGT 11]

Do you think it would be a good idea to install them on the engine before dropping it in? Or, do you think it was cause more issues with 'fitting' than it would be worth? I plan on dropping the engine and tranny in as one unit.

[Lemon Owner 11]

I would say they would make life alot harder if you fit them before installing the engine. Having said that I have never tried to fit the engine with headers attached.

[kidsStang 11]

Hi Guys new to the site, Thank you Mustang Monthly, I am currently screwing with headers on my 69 351w, someone posted earlier that all long tube headers are a tough fit, does it have to do with too tigh to the frame rails, cause thats what i,m experiencing with my hooker headers

[LindenBruce 27]

So the Dougs have been fitted and I have to say they are great. They fit well without the use of the steering drop and look pretty sweet too. They clear the shock towers and steering box by about a quarter inch although they did have to jack the engine to fit them. Being ceramic coated they do actually bring down under hood temperatures which surprised me. Power is up slightly throughout the rev range compared to the cheap midlengths I had previously. The engine runs slightly smoother off idle now but that is mainly because there are no longer any gasket leaks. All in all I am very pleased and while it cost around $1000 for the headers, freight to Australia and fitment I feel it was money well spent. It will be a few months before I can truely guage their quality but I am so far impressed. :clap:

 

Just out of curiosity, did you take any pics from above and below? Bruce

[Lemon Owner 11]

I tried to get pics from below but as usual not enough light for my phone camera. Here are the pics from above.

[LindenBruce 27]

Not to bad dude. Looks like some decent spark plug clearance. Bruce

[Lemon Owner 11]

Yes, heaps of room to remove the plugs and the header bolts, for a change.