66 170 header

[Jonathan_Cole]

I'm updating the exhaust on my 66 and figured I'd throw a header on while I was at it. I bought one of the Chinese stainless ones on eBay that was "guaranteed to fit" . Well, it doesn't. It hits the starter and the frame. I can likely fix the frame clearance. But I can't fix the starter clearance. Does anyone make one that actually fits?

 

[bmbm]

Is it a shorty header?
You can get a mini starter.
I'm surprised it does not fit, if you had a 250 block I would not be surprised.
Some good info this link about some guys getting a long tube header off ebay with a built in port divider and long tube is what you want anyway for a 170. Read down in the post as it is an old revived post.
https://fordsix.com/threads/headers-on-a-200ci-how-much-difference.43642/

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

It is a shorty dual outlet. I think I can tweak it enough to get off the frame. But the starter is going to be the issue. I can return it for free. But, even the name brand ones say there could be starter clearance issues.

And, I've searched for a mini starter. I'm not having a lot of luck with that either for a 3spd.

 

[bmbm]

This is ebay listing for the Hooker 6601 which is the right height for the 170/200 block to clear the starter but was a passenger car application so maybe not the frame:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1265256616...d=link&campid=5335857059&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
*EDIT* The header you have will fit a 170 but is a passenger car application so the Bronco frame may be in the way.

 

[bmbm]

There is this but some reports of Clifford difficulty with filling orders:

https://cliffordperformance.net/store/ols/products/ford-170200-bronco-headers

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

This is ebay listing for the Hooker 6601 which is the right height for the 170/200 block to clear the starter but was a passenger car application so maybe not the frame:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1265256616...d=link&campid=5335857059&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
*EDIT* The header you have will fit a 170 but is a passenger car application so the Bronco frame may be in the way.

I have seen that one and considered it, but I don't want to buy it and have the same issue.

I have skimmed over the long thread and did see someone mentioned to learn to recognize which header will clear the starter but they didn't actually add anything to that.

I remember seeing a particular seller in another thread that had one that'd fit. I'll try them. They have free returns as well.

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

There is this but some reports of Clifford difficulty with filling orders:

https://cliffordperformance.net/store/ols/products/ford-170200-bronco-headers

I considered this one as well. I don't want to buy a $450 header and still have to get a mini starter.

 

[bmbm]

I considered this one as well. I don't want to buy a $450 header and still have to get a mini starter.

Understood. I bought my mini starter long ago but it was reasonable cost.
I read on fordsix.com about a guy buying headers that did not fit and took them to an exhaust guy that modified them, but that sounds expensive.
Your goal is a performance increase right? If so a carb upgrade and a DSII custom curved ignition system would probably get you more than a header. Read all about it at fordsix.com.

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

Understood. I bought my mini starter long ago but it was reasonable cost.
I read on fordsix.com about a guy buying headers that did not fit and took them to an exhaust guy that modified them, but that sounds expensive.
Your goal is a performance increase right? If so a carb upgrade and a DSII custom curved ignition system would probably get you more than a header. Read all about it at fordsix.com.

I will likely eventually add fuel injection. To be honest, the best upgrade to date so far has been a petronix ignition module.

 

[bmbm]

I will likely eventually add fuel injection. To be honest, the best upgrade to date so far has been a petronix ignition module.

Yeah the stock ignition and carb are not that good and yours is probably the loadomatic stuff.
I did an inexpensive performance years ago by replacing the 170 with a 200. But that was back when the yards had tons of those parts.

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

Yeah the stock ignition and carb are not that good and yours is probably the loadomatic stuff.
I did an inexpensive performance years ago by replacing the 170 with a 200. But that was back when the yards had tons of those parts.

My original plan was to replace the 170& 3 on the tree with a SB and auto. But, even though the old girl is not all original, it still only has 39k on it. So, I just couldn't do it.

 

[bmbm]

Fordsix forum member Chad had this to say about ebay header but for his 250 which is slightly taller than the 170/200. But it apparently cleared the frame:

I use the VI/CI/Speed Daddy or flee bay headers (all seem same) on my 1st gen bronk (a 4WD falcon/stang). No issues almost a bolt-right-up (did I file some bolt hole, push a lill on a pipe? yeah, but seemed custom made). I hada bent6 '80s stang starter but did not use it. Eventually used this:

https://fordsix.com/threads/help-with-exhaust-manifold-headers.84838/#post-685385

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

I looked for speed daddy initially. Out of stock.

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

Does anyone have any experience trying the hooker 6601 on a bronco?

 

[Bajabrewer]

I'm working on my 66 installing a 250/M5od-r2(5 speed) & header - I know it's a lot different than your 170/3 speed combo but I came across some info that may be helpful to you concerning the mini starter https://fordsix.com/threads/starter-swaps-for-the-250s-200s-other-small-sixes.80808/

So if I read it right you need to keep the original starter & find or make a header fit it.
Good luck with the project & keep the questions coming!

 

[bmbm]

I'm working on my 66 installing a 250/M5od-r2(5 speed) & header - I know it's a lot different than your 170/3 speed combo but I came across some info that may be helpful to you concerning the mini starter https://fordsix.com/threads/starter-swaps-for-the-250s-200s-other-small-sixes.80808/

So if I read it right you need to keep the original starter & find or make a header fit it.
Good luck with the project & keep the questions coming!

Good information.

 

[bmbm]

I'm working on my 66 installing a 250/M5od-r2(5 speed) & header - I know it's a lot different than your 170/3 speed combo but I came across some info that may be helpful to you concerning the mini starter https://fordsix.com/threads/starter-swaps-for-the-250s-200s-other-small-sixes.80808/

So if I read it right you need to keep the original starter & find or make a header fit it.
Good luck with the project & keep the questions coming!

Nice upgrade for your Bronco, the 250 makes a difference with the 5 speed trans. What header are you installing?

 

[73azbronco]

I went from a 170 to a 250 in my first car, 65 econoline. It was night and day more fun to drive. Same MPG. 16.

Headers, not a fan on the six as it's not made for rpm, its made for torque and thats where oem manifold does the job. Throwing headers at it means you need a camshaft, new head, intake, etc to utilize the benefits of a header. I found it would be cheaper to stuff a 302 in there. and end up with more everything, for cheap.

 

[Bajabrewer]

What header are you installing?

E-Bay stainless two outlet - I got lucky the mini starter works with the 250 & with the taller block there's room for the exhaust. Rear pipe goes over the starter between the bell housing & firewall & front pipe drops down between the end of the starter & frame. I also wrapped them in header wrap so I hopefully won't cook the starter with heat. I mocked it all up this spring then pulled it & painted it & putting it back together now as time allows.

Thread hijack over

 

[bmbm]

I went from a 170 to a 250 in my first car, 65 econoline. It was night and day more fun to drive. Same MPG. 16.

Headers, not a fan on the six as it's not made for rpm, its made for torque and thats where oem manifold does the job. Throwing headers at it means you need a camshaft, new head, intake, etc to utilize the benefits of a header. I found it would be cheaper to stuff a 302 in there. and end up with more everything, for cheap.

I have been pleased with the power increase the 250 provided in my Bronco, it was actually a little better than I was expecting. Installing the 5 sd od trans at the same time added a lot to the experience I am sure.
The 250 is like 15% less cubes than a 289 so should have approximately 15% less power overall but probably has comparable low end torque.