johndoe000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2010
- Messages
- 50
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- My Car
- 1973 restomod fastback
Hey all, I thought I would share my header experience with everyone since I learned a lot and maybe it will help someone else on their mustang.
I really wanted the 331 in my car to be able to breathe easy so I naturally decided that I would go with longtube headers over shorties. Well as many of you know NO ONE (that I could find anyway, and yes I even contacted FPA) makes a longtube header that works in a 71-73 with a 302 based small block and a toploader transmission. The damn mechanical clutch linkage is the issue, as it takes up valuable space right behind the power steering box where space is already cramped. So... I decided that I would modify an inexpensive set of headers to accommodate my set up.
I started off with these, a set of Hedman headers from Summit, the driver's side header is on the bottom.
So I did a test fit and took note of how only the last two primaries would need to be modified to make room for the equalizer bar. I also had to "massage" the one primary in order to get it past the power steering box, which I was disappointed with but it had to happen. Thus I began cutting...
I knew the farthest rear primary would need to go up and over the equalizer bar..
Getting the second to fit was a challenge to say the least. I ended up having to snake it down and around the steering linkage to get it to be able to install it and it get past the clutch fork.
This is the clearance with the pitman arm with the steering at full left. Its about 3/16".
The final product before being full welded
After welding and grinding the welds down
I learned a ton doing this and it took a few afternoons and nights to get it all right. I also got a badass reminder of how you need to respect the angle grinder...
Hope you all enjoyed my story!
I really wanted the 331 in my car to be able to breathe easy so I naturally decided that I would go with longtube headers over shorties. Well as many of you know NO ONE (that I could find anyway, and yes I even contacted FPA) makes a longtube header that works in a 71-73 with a 302 based small block and a toploader transmission. The damn mechanical clutch linkage is the issue, as it takes up valuable space right behind the power steering box where space is already cramped. So... I decided that I would modify an inexpensive set of headers to accommodate my set up.
I started off with these, a set of Hedman headers from Summit, the driver's side header is on the bottom.
So I did a test fit and took note of how only the last two primaries would need to be modified to make room for the equalizer bar. I also had to "massage" the one primary in order to get it past the power steering box, which I was disappointed with but it had to happen. Thus I began cutting...
I knew the farthest rear primary would need to go up and over the equalizer bar..
Getting the second to fit was a challenge to say the least. I ended up having to snake it down and around the steering linkage to get it to be able to install it and it get past the clutch fork.
This is the clearance with the pitman arm with the steering at full left. Its about 3/16".
The final product before being full welded
After welding and grinding the welds down
I learned a ton doing this and it took a few afternoons and nights to get it all right. I also got a badass reminder of how you need to respect the angle grinder...
Hope you all enjoyed my story!
