4r70w and Long Tube Headers

[EricLar80]

Has anyone used long tube headers with the 4r70w? I have seen a few posts of the install using the shorties, but not ling tubes. I think I have Doug Thorley headers.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[Socal Tom]

I had the Duff long tube headers. Clearence was pretty tight on the passenger side. See the tech article on here for a better idea. I was running a 5.0, I believe the pics are of a 351, which is about 1 inch taller.
Tom

 

[MD]

Thorleys will definitely not fit.
The pan hits the collector on the passenger side.

Michael

 

[EricLar80]

Thorleys will definitely not fit.
The pan hits the collector on the passenger side.

Michael

Awesome. %)

Now, I gotta figure out if I really have Thorley's...

Does anyone have measurements of the bottom of the transmission? I have seen length measurements of course... How much room to each framerail?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[Broncobowsher]

I got a spare trans case sitting in the backyard. But that probably won't help much.
I did a 351 with Duff headers. Super tight. Had to clock the collector ring so it would clear the trans and pan.
My final fix was to swap on a set of port matched 289 K-code manifolds. Ran plenty good with those.

 

[EricLar80]

My final fix was to swap on a set of port matched 289 K-code manifolds. Ran plenty good with those.

So, those are cast iron, but ported to open them up?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Yep.

Got a set of re-pops from a mustang supply house. Took some exhaust gaskets and cut them back to match the Trickflow aluminum heads. Transfered the gaskets to the manifolds and scribed the ports to match the gaskets. Got a new die grinder and a good burr. Taped over 3 of the ports and stuck a shop vac up the exhaust with a rag to sort of seal it. Started cutting to the line and smoothing away. Took time. The air compressor was not happy with me. But it sure did run good an none of the header issues.

 

[EricLar80]

For the header interference, is it really just the collector flanges that get in the way, or the main pipe does as well? It wouldnt be too much of a hassle to re-locate the collector flange...

Eric

 

[Broncobowsher]

For me I couldn't stuff the passenger side header in with the engine in place. It would have to go in with the engine. The collector itself was too tight for comfort. Not just the ring on the end, I could clock that to my liking.

Hooker 6909, Not a chance. Oh I laughed when I held those up there to see if they would work. I think every tube wanted to go through the trans case. Return trip to Summit. The cost of shipping was almost worth the laugh.

 

[EricLar80]

Thorleys will definitely not fit.
The pan hits the collector on the passenger side.

Michael

Yep, checked the numbers stamped into the flange - 263, which corresponds to DT 4 into 1 long tube headers for the EB. What a bummer...

I like the manifold idea, but are there any tips on shorties out there that will work?

Eric

 

[MD]

For me I couldn't stuff the passenger side header in with the engine in place. It would have to go in with the engine. The collector itself was too tight for comfort. Not just the ring on the end, I could clock that to my liking.

It is tight. I have a 3" body lift and I couldn't fit them between the trans and the frame rail until I cutoff a threaded mounting boss on the bellhousing (which I assume was for a dipstick maybe).

The Thorleys are tight to the trans on a 302, but would probably be OK on a 351W. The compromise for designing them to fit the 351 is that they are closer to the trans for the 302. I considered buying a header flange (that you use for making your own headers) and use it as a spacer between the header and the heads, but I presume that would just create other problems.

Michael

 

[MD]

Yep, checked the numbers stamped into the flange - 263, which corresponds to DT 4 into 1 long tube headers for the EB. What a bummer...

I like the manifold idea, but are there any tips on shorties out there that will work?

Eric

I switched to the BCB shorties and they fit ok.

Michael

 

[EricLar80]

Did you guys need a body lift to fit the transfercase? I have a 1" BL and it looks like it is going to be a little tight...

I am planning on pulling the trans this week to see what I am working with - wish me luck with the body lift and headers!!

I bought a front driveshaft from 1990 ford explorer in a yard today ($13) because it has a 2" tube diameter and the double cardan joint. It is about 31" center to center, so it will be perfect to cut down for the front DS.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[COBlu77]

Did you guys need a body lift to fit the transfercase? I have a 1" BL and it looks like it is going to be a little tight...

I am planning on pulling the trans this week to see what I am working with - wish me luck with the body lift and headers!!

I bought a front driveshaft from 1990 ford explorer in a yard today ($13) because it has a 2" tube diameter and the double cardan joint. It is about 31" center to center, so it will be perfect to cut down for the front DS.

Thanks,

Eric

I already had a 2" BL for my 5.8 EFI to fit under the hood. It made the 4R70W/NP205 swap much easier. I think you'll be "OK", but a little tight where the e-brake bracket sticks down. Remember to loosen your motor mounts when you bolt the tranny and T/C in there and set up the drive line angle.

I had Duff headers and they were tight. I switched to stock cast manifolds and couldn't have been happier. Solved any clearance issues, got rid of a nagging lean condition with my EFI, brought down my underhood temps, and I didn't notice any change in performance.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I did 351W/4R70W/D20 without a body lift. But I needed to add a bump to the floor as the top of the transfer case was above floor level. 1" body lift should do just fine.