guys i know alot of u have all ran into header problems. i put the motor in tonight and theres about three inches of clearence. ireally could use some professional opinions right now. ideas products easy alternavtives anything i just need to get the car done
i imagine you talking 302? im in the same ship but i have a windsor headers are a royal P.I.T.A! ! 3 inchs of clearance that sounds good to me , i dont know if i understand you right i wish i had 3 inchs of clearance all around eddie
A lot of guys here have had trouble with headers. A bunch would surely jump in and help you, but they need some details... Engine? 302, 351w, 351c, etc... Tranny? Auto or manual... Shifter location? Column or floor Shifter and clutch linkage? Cables, rods, both... Shaved towers? (Doesn't make much difference, but let's us put the 3" into perspective) What headers do you have now, if any? Power steering? A/C? Just trying to help. Dave
302 auto will be floor shifter. i have two sets bbk shortys for a mustang and ong tubes for a mustang but neither will work no PS no a/c
I second Dan. Your 74 header fitment will be identical to any 70-77 car with the same engine/options. I have seen the short cut off on years for some aftermarket exhaust stuff like headers. I always thought it might have to do with 74 being the first year that cats were used in a few cars. So they just steer clear of controversy by not listing those years. They just figure we all know they are the same. My guess anyway... Dave Edit: Btw, for ease of fit, Hooker 6901s get rave reveiws among members. Much more so than Heddman or any other brand. Just thought I would put that out there. If you want header coating though, get the headers direct from Jet Hot. The Hooker factory coating sucks. Jet Hot uses Hooker headers, upon request, that they purchased wholesale and uncoated. The final product is a Hooker header that is coated much better and cost less money than Hookers coated by Hooker. Btw part 2: IMO coating is 'snake oil', but some people like it, so I give the info.
Hooker 6901's Mine didn't rub anywhere! Some people have problems with rubbing, some don't. I hear less issues with the 6901's. Jegs.com has the unpainted steel versions listed for $149. Ceramic coated are $329. Summitracing.com has the ceramic coated versions for $349. They don't show uncoated, but new to me, they show 'polished stainless steel' for $400! Has anyone seen their polished s/s 6901's? Seth
Tips to make life easier when installing: Jack your entire front end up and support with jack stands. Unbolt both engine mounts from the frame stands by pulling out the long bolt that goes through them horizontally. Put a slab of wood on a jack and put it all under your oil sump, and jack the engine up. With 2 people, have one person slide the header up from the bottom, then topside person (taller of the 2) can line them up on the ports and install 2 bolts to retain the header and gasket. You will find that there are bolts that are shrouded by the tubes and bolts that are not. Install only the bolts that are behind tubes FIRST. Only thread them in a little at a time checking each to make sure no bolts are binding on tubes. After these are all down finger tight, install the uncovered bolts. After they are all snug, tighten them all down. Heat cycle the headers once, and retighten. If you get painted headers, be sure to strip all paint, clean thoroughly with a stout degreaser, thinner, or acetone. After this point, you should not touch the headers again without gloves (I know it makes for a hard install, but it's worth it). The oil from your skin can cause the paint not to stick, or burn off with heat. Use BBQ black and heat cycle it once before getting any oils on it. Then you will have a durable heat coating. Good luck Dave Btw: I find it interesting that folks make stainless headers as stainless brittles and cracks with heat cycling. Seems to me that headers would be the absolute worst application for stainless...
Great advice! Thanks for this post! I'm also about to install some Hookers and the advice is very timely and thorough. Matt
i have the 6901's. the passenger side goes in without removing the motor mount bolt, but it might be easier that way. drivers side needs to definitely be jacked up. higher you can safely get the car the better.
