After going through all the posts on two boards looking for what the complaints are with the Hedman headers, it appears to come down to these. 88300 Long tube headers: 1) drop bracket is too short for power steering equipped cars. It must be extended 1" and this causes lose of turning radius when turning left. 2) One or sometimes two tubes must be "adjusted" with a BFH to get the steering to not hit. What part of the steering hits? Pitman arm? Main linkage? Power steering control valve? 88400 Short tube headers: 1) Passenger side exits straight towards firewall with limited room for connecting exhaust. 2) Drivers side exits straight into pitman arm when in full left turn. Are there any other complaints with the fit on these headers? Other than they don't work with gt40p heads? Do either of these have problems with shock tower clearance with stock shock towers? Other known issues? I have ordered a set of 88408's from Summit. Hedman has asked for a list of problems and pictures of what has been required to make these work. Sounds like they are willing to make "adjustments" at the factory to try and correct these fitment problems. Especially if the adjustments will not impact the other cars these were developed for. Please send pictures and descriptions of the mods required to jhcurtis at jayoncall dot com. I will forward copies of all the responses to Hedman as well as the results of my experiences over the next couple of weeks.
Any chance they'd make some 1-3/4" primaries to fit while they're at it? Currently, the only header option I'm aware of with 1-3/4" primaries is the Hooker 6208 (6208-1 coated). Also, a 3/8" THK spacer is required (between head and header) to allow the tubes to clear bell housing and block (near starter area).
Apparently they have too many irons in the fire to get excited about designing a complete new header but they seem willing to make minor changes to an existing product. Was the comment about the 3/8" spacer about the Hooker header or one of the Headman headers? If so, which model? Thanks for the input.
^Whut he said^ More particularly, Super Comp. Ceramic Engine Swap Header 6208-1HKR 64-70 Mustang/Cougar: 351W, Full Length Tube Size 1.75" x 32", Collector Size 3", Collector Length 8", Port Shape: Same as Port, Metallic Ceramic Coating from http://holley.com/search.asp
Maybe I am missing something here...but the 6901 Hookers fit most cars with minor (if any) modifications. Mine rubbed a little on one fender, and I had to use a double gasket on one side to clear my GT40P head spark plugs, but the fit was pretty nice. Easy to install, if you don't mind jacking the engine up a 1/2". And a power steering drop bracket ($25) is needed with power steering. I have heard similar complaints with the Hedmans. Basically, I don't think a header is made that fits the Mavs without some fitment or modification issue, no matter how minor. Just get one that is supposed to fit and make it work. Bang on some shock towers, cut a hole here and there, "git er done"!
The point is that Hedman was under the impression that the headers fit correctly and that there were no fitment problems. The headers listed, 88300 and 88408 were designed for a Falcon/Ranchero, not a Maverick. Since they had not recieved sufficient feedback indicating problems with the fit, they assumed all was good. When I talked to the product developement manager today, he indicated that Hedman would be interested in seeing the problems that we are encountering. When I mentioned that we were having to dent tubes in order to clear the steering, etc., you could hear him cringe over the phone. Since the problems we are encountering can probably be corrected without adversly affecting the original cars, he expressed interest in possibly making those changes. This is all contingent on us being willing to help them through providing feedback via pictures and descriptions of the problems. I purchased a set of 88408's for my beater so that I can document the issues with the steering and firewall clearances. I believe that by doing this, future products will be more of a simple bolt-on. Personally, I have a problem with buying a ceramic coated header, then taking a hammer to it. Hopefully, they will have fixed the clearance problems before my project car is ready for exhaust.
good post Jay.... Lets jump on this people, how many times does a manu ask for feedback because they wanna get rid of a problem for us???
I find it interesting that I have not recieved ONE comment from a current or past owner of Hedman headers. Apparently, these headers fit perfectly? Come on, people help us make at at least one product line a true bolt-on. How can we expect companies to make their products better if we don't tell them what is wrong?
I don't know anyone who has used Hedmans. I'll give you my experience. My Hooker 6901's fit like a glove-a perfect fitting glove. This is with a 302 in an original 302 car. I do have 351W heads-same dimensions as stock 302 heads. Mine has P/S and the drop down bracket does not seem to interfere with the turning radius. No dimples were made, they don't rattle or hit the shock towers that I can tell. Back in the 80's I helped put a couple of sets of Cyclone and/or Blackjack headers on these cars. One with p/s one without. We did have to dent the tube(s) on the passenger side for I believe the idler arm-long time ago. Did Hedman buy out Cyclone/Blackjack? I don't see their stuff around anymore and it seems like someone bought them out. They were cheap headers back then-$75-$85 from memory. I would think that Hedman could lay a set of 6901's next to their product and see where the fitment issues are. Seth
Blackjack is now Dynomax if you go to Summits site the description list their headers as Dynomax Blackjack Headers. They were cheap back in the day still only $110. But then again I only paid $88 for my first set of Hooker's which are $150 today. No experience with Hedman Headers. I previously had Blackjack headers and now run the Hooker 6901's.
well thanks to this im sweating mine. i should know saturday or sunday how they fit, i hope to get the block back in saturday with the heddman headers. i did have to drill the holes on the bracket, because they didnt line up well enough with the bolt holes in the frame. definately will keep you informed and heddman as well.
I have had Heddmon long tubes on when the engine was carbed but changed to Heddmon shorties after going fuel injection so the OX sensors would be close to the heads and sample all the cylinders. The Mustang shorties need the outlets altered downward in direction so an easy head pipe hookup is allowed. It only takes a 3/4" wide vee cut just back of the outlet flanges, remove the piece, fold down and close up the cut and weld up and your done. This provides a lot of room down by the c4 trans to work around. This is all on a floor shifted c4.
My dad's Comet had long tube hedmans on it. They fit fine, but were very low to the ground where they came down around the transmission. They would drag the ground fairly easily just turning into our driveway and stuff, and the car wasn't THAT low in the front. It was not possible to drive the car over speed bumps or put it on a trailer. Thing sure did sound good though.
well it is finally in, and the tube from cylinder 6 is definately in the way. Jayman, im sending you an email with pics from my fireclaw99 address. feel free to forward it to heddman. guess ill be using a BFH to make it work.
