Even though I have a Falcon, Im posting this here since I used Maverick headers, and because Im sure there are a few here as crazy as I am and own a Falcon/Comet. So I finally started installing the Doug Thorley headers I bought 6 months ago tonight. I can attest that they are excellent quality headers with a 3/8" top flange, and 1/2" ball socket at the collector and 16ga tubing. Theyre not cheap at $600+, but they do come with a collector extension, all the bolts, and gaskets needed. These are actually made for a Maverick, but they were developed/tested for the Falcons too. My car is a 65 with a 5.0L and t5 with a modern driveline clutch cable. At this point Im about halfway I guess, since the headers are in, but one needs to come back out and I have to take a control arm off so I can cut the bolt down to size. Anyway, I got cold (its 33* out right now) and kind of late (1030p) so I called it a day. Ill post with more pics tomorrow and again when I get the exhaust system mated to the new headers. Heres what you get when you order the Doug Thorley headers for a Maverick: The passenger side didnt clear the control arm bolt, and since I dont have what I need to cut the bolt in the car, I get to take the control arm out tomorrow to trim the bolt down. The bolt was minor, but otherwise things were looking pretty good until tragedy struck! The drivers header hit on the steering gear box! In fact, so bad that when I let the engine down off the jack, it wedged itself between the box and control arm bolt and wouldnt sit all the way down onto the frame mounts. A gentle push seated it, but looks like I may need to "clearance" the header near the box. Ill wait until after I cut the control arm bolt since it may let the engine sit far enough over to not hit. The passenger side from the bottom: the outlet points a little close to the firewall (sort of hard to see in this picture), but a good pipe bender should be able to keep the pipe away from the firewall. Thats it for now, more to come tomorrow!
how does the drivers side meet up with your pitman arm? I had to make a funky extension to get around mine
So! Sorry about the hi-jack...but Dave does not release many pics of his project. Are you going to hook the A/C up, Dave????? Nice factory valve covers. So is it a factory original look??????? I'd repaint that rag joint!!!!!!
I got things pretty much squared away today. Got the control arm bolt ground down, looks a little better now! Now with that not binding, it let the engine shift just about a half inch to the pass side thanks in part to the big holes the factory puts in the frame brackets. That was enough to put a little breathing room between the drivers side tube and steering gear box without denting anything. Itll probly hit in reverse, but Im not terribly worried about it. Unfortunately, the drivers side is still considerably tighter than Id like underneath. Theres actually 1/4-3/8" of clearance between the pipe and clutch cable, but with the heat wrap it looks like its tight. With the steering all the way to the left like it is, the pitman arm hits the pipe. Not sure of a way around this, short of just "massaging" the pipe. Most likely thats what Ill do tomorrow or when I get around to it. Tonights house specialty, Cable Flambe. At $145 a dish, I would keep portions small.
I didnt think to get any pics, but its really smooth. Almost no intrusion around the bolts. FAR FAR better than the old Hookers I took off the car. Hooker makes a terrible header. Ive hated em since the day I put em on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . btw... I have a set of Mustang headers for sale now, slightly used...
this is what I did to clear my pitman arm, I need to find someone that can actually ben a piece exactly like this to do it right, I have a leak in mine, not the best welds
looks like a real nice header. If i ever need a set for a milder engine i will definetly use those. The hookers are a real pain!
Decurion, glad you like the headers. I have a couple questions for you. What year is your falcon? Where did you buy them? If you have any questions about the headers please feel free to call me at 951-371-1744 ext. 253. I would be happy to help you. Jamie
