Hooker 6909 headers and 351W.....no bueno

[Oatmeal]

I bought these headers 10 years ago to use with my 351W swap and the description said: '66-'77 Bronco with 289/302 or 351W auto or manual trans.....yeah right%) Well finally got around to replacing my old leaking modified to fit headers that were on my 302 (just put them on there because I had to move and get the Bronco drivable). I spent about 3 hrs on the passenger side installing, removing, heating and dimpling for clearance, reinstalling, removing...... I mean, WTF! Finally got that side done and moved to the driver's side......I don't know how I am even going to get that thing in there. I removed my Hydroboost, pump, loosened the steering shaft, unbolted the steering column for some more room and even lifted the motor up some......it's not going in there. I removed my clutch linkage but, it won't go past the release lever....I sure as hell am not pulling the trans (NP435) to get it in there. Has anybody gone through this nightmare before?:? I'm about at my wits end and about ready to chuck them in the trash and get a another set of headers but, don't have the money to burn. Oh yeah, the Hooker dual exhaust kit is going back in the box and getting returned (no way in hell will that fit). Damn, what a disappointing day! I can't even see that fitting with a 302?:?----------Hans

 

[lowpressure]

wow, sounds like some sorry luck there bud. Ive not run into that issue with truck headers but ive had some header issues like that with some of the supercharged latemodel stuff ive built for people. hope it works out for ya.

 

[73stallion]

do they look like this?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-6909-1HKR/?rtype=10

don't even look like they'll clear the clutch linkage on the block.

 

[Oatmeal]

wow, sounds like some sorry luck there bud. Ive not run into that issue with truck headers but ive had some header issues like that with some of the supercharged latemodel stuff ive built for people. hope it works out for ya.

Thanks, yeah I had to step away from it and and call it a day before I lit the damn thng on fire I think I'll go out and have a couple of beers and deal with it in the morning. I'm determined to make it work--------Hans

 

[Oatmeal]

do they look like this?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-6909-1HKR/?rtype=10

don't even look like they'll clear the clutch linkage on the block.

Yeah thems be the evil, vile things------Hans

 

[RedEyedMex619]

Could you post pics of headers, i also have some headers i just got sand blasted and painted. Will put them on in a few months. I have no idea what they are got them used. thank you new to blog

 

[SnwMnkys]

I have those same headers and I thought they installed just fine? ?:? I can remove and install the passenger side in a matter of minutes. The driver side I do have to move my steering shaft out of the way and undo the clutch linkage so it takes some time but dont think its that bad. I have Power brakes too so room is limited. I removed them earlier this year to weld on some O2 bungs. My motor is a 351w as well.

 

[Oatmeal]

Could you post pics of headers, i also have some headers i just got sand blasted and painted. Will put them on in a few months. I have no idea what they are got them used. thank you new to blog

Click onto that link above and you'll see them. I have the painted version but, when I bought mine (about ten years ago.....they were in the box that long) the description said it would fit the 351W also, now it just says 289/302.......bastards!--------Hans

 

[Oatmeal]

I have those same headers and I thought they installed just fine? ?:? I can remove and install the passenger side in a matter of minutes. The driver side I do have to move my steering shaft out of the way and undo the clutch linkage so it takes some time but dont think its that bad. I have Power brakes too so room is limited. I removed them earlier this year to weld on some O2 bungs. My motor is a 351w as well.

I tried everything, from above, below standing on my head.......you name it. The passenger side would hit the body when tightened down so, that was unacceptable thus the heating and dimpling. The drivers side, did you install from above or below?:? You said you had to move the steering shaft, I tried that (what about the column?) do you maybe have a body lift? I'm open to suggestions could you, perhaps, make and send me an instructional video;D......just kidding-------Hans

 

[Broncobowsher]

I tried the 6909s about 8 years ago. My issue was the trans. It looked like it would fit the 351 but no way would it clear the 4R70W. They were in the box and back to Summit in a matter of days.

 

[SnwMnkys]

I tried everything, from above, below standing on my head.......you name it. The passenger side would hit the body when tightened down so, that was unacceptable thus the heating and dimpling. The drivers side, did you install from above or below?:? You said you had to move the steering shaft, I tried that (what about the column?) do you maybe have a body lift? I'm open to suggestions could you, perhaps, make and send me an instructional video;D......just kidding-------Hans

I do have a body lift so maybe thats the difference. I have a flaming river column and shaft so I unbolt the shaft from the column and slide the column out a few inches and just move the shaft to the side. Im pretty sure I installed the driver side header from the bottom up. If I remember right I didnt have room from the top.

 

[Oatmeal]

I do have a body lift so maybe thats the difference. I have a flaming river column and shaft so I unbolt the shaft from the column and slide the column out a few inches and just move the shaft to the side. Im pretty sure I installed the driver side header from the bottom up. If I remember right I didnt have room from the top.

A body lift would have made the passenger side a non issue (aha!) And the steering column is a definite obstacle.......see I'm not that inept, stupid maybe but, not inept I'll get it in if it kills me (it might, you know)------------Hans

 

[blubuckaroo]

Does the Hooker nameplate (on the driver side) say 6909 on it? Wouldn't be the first time the wrong part went into the box.

 

[SnwMnkys]

Does the Hooker nameplate (on the driver side) say 6909 on it? Wouldn't be the first time the wrong part went into the box.

Does hooker put it on the nameplate now? All the headers ive seen from them they stamp it on the head flange that faces towards the cylinder head.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I paid big bucks for them , but my BC's slipped right in from the top ..... ;D

Just sayin' ....

 

[Oatmeal]

Does the Hooker nameplate (on the driver side) say 6909 on it? Wouldn't be the first time the wrong part went into the box.

It was stamped on the inside of the head flange. Here's an up date.......spent most of today screwing around with the driver's side and got it in but, it was a real nightmare. Had to unbolt the steering shaft, loosen and slide the column up for clearance, pull three spark plugs, remove my hydroboost unit (just bled the brakes damn it!), unbolt the power steering pump and get it out of the way, pull the radiator, remove clutch linkage and lift that side of the motor......bolted it on, only to find out the collector flange hits both the frame and floor board (motor back down on it's mount) out it comes again cut off the flange, reclock it and tack weld it on a slight mitre, reinstall to check for clearance, remove it, finish welding it, reinstall and put my Bronco back together. Now I find out that the steering shaft's rag joint rubs one of the tubes.......for f---k's sake! On top of that I had to reroute my brake lines and fuel supply and return lines (plumbed for future EFI......actually former POS Pro-Jection%)) I'm beat! Pulled some of the tubing out of the box (Hooker dual kit) held it up under the truck and decided that no way in hell was it going to fit without modifying the shit out of it (bolt on?:?) Repacked all the junk and told Summit I was sending it back as well as telling them about my Header Hell.......I think they should reimburse me for the shipping costs. Anyway I'm done bitching. How was your day;D ---------Hans

 

[broncnut]

I had the same problem with the drivers side. (302/Np435) passenger side was no problem. ended up shit canning them and using my KbarS long tube headers.