Routing exhaust collector

[John_parkeriv]

Hey y'all, just finished installing a set of shorty headers for my 351 Windsor. They're just some off-the-shelf summit Windsor truck headers, and they sit awful close to my frame. I've got something like three to three and a half inches of clearance from the top of the frame to the bottom of the collector.

Does anybody make a two bolt, 90°, 2 and 1/2 in reducer that would work here? Seeing plenty of the three bolt collectors that would work, but none in two bolt.
Thanks!

 

[.94 OR]

I'm assuming a "Truck" head would point down since the frame width would be wider. A "Bronco" or even Mustang header may have the inlet tucked in towards the oil pan more?

That'll be an interesting fit.

 

[John_parkeriv]

I'm assuming a "Truck" head would point down since the frame width would be wider. A "Bronco" or even Mustang header may have the inlet tucked in towards the oil pan more?

That'll be an interesting fit.

I'd figured the broncos frame was based on the F100 frame in some way; guess not. You reckon mustang headers would fit better?

 

[DirtDonk]

No, they don’t. At least not certain model mustangs because we ran into this for years with mustang headers.
However I believe someone found a particular your Mustang Header that had much more clearance potential then the rest. Most were just like your current truck Header, or worse.
Maybe someone will pop in with their experience. Otherwise the correct header for a bronco is a bronco header.

 

[DirtDonk]

As you found out a bronco is not like any other vehicle in the Ford lineup. It is its own unique set up entirely.
The only time that changed was in 78 and later when the Broncos were literally the same as an F150.

 

[savage]

I went with shorty headers from WH, FIT GREAT !!!!!

 

[DirtDonk]

I do remember a couple of guys taking their existing headers for another vehicle cutting the tubes rearranging the outlet and then re-welding.
It’s a lot of work, but if you have the skills and tools it might not be a big deal.

 

[John_parkeriv]

I went with shorty headers from WH, FIT GREAT !!!!!

I see headers for 289's and 302's, but any for 351W?

 

[savage]

I see headers for 289's and 302's, but any for 351W?

I'm not sure , but I thought the 302 headers would bolt up to the 351. Hey, Paul will your 302 headers bolt up to a 351?

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes, they literally bolt up to the engine because the cylinder heads are virtually identical.
But one reason for leaving it out of the listings is most likely the higher possibility of the passenger side flange touching the inner wheel well.
A quick trim will fix that, but most people today don’t wanna trim their sheet-metal and most manufacturers don’t like to state in their instructions “will fit with trimming“ if you know what I mean.

And I might be wrong, but I thought I had heard some members here saying that some headers interfered with something in their clutch linkage. Pretty sure it was not our headers, as they clear the clutch linkage perfectly. But maybe with that little extra height of a 351 there could be some tight quarters?
Hopefully some of those that have experienced that will pop in and comment.

And actually I thought some of our headers did list 351 fitment as no problem. I’ll have to go back and look when I get back to my computer.

 

[John_parkeriv]

Yes, they literally bolt up to the engine because the cylinder heads are virtually identical.

Good to know, may have to look into 302 Bronco headers and save these Summit ones for something else.

 

[DirtDonk]

Oh, and thanks for those detailed pics savage! Appreciate the good words, and glad that they fit well.
Notice how close they are to the wheel well in those pics John? Pretty tight, and a 351 is taller AND wider. But you also have a 2" body lift which might be just the solution for the dilemma.

So savage, do you have a body lift, or no?

paul

 

[savage]

Oh, and thanks for those detailed pics savage! Appreciate the good words, and glad that they fit well.
Notice how close they are to the wheel well in those pics John? Pretty tight, and a 351 is taller AND wider. But you also have a 2" body lift which might be just the solution for the dilemma.

So savage, do you have a body lift, or no?

paul

No body lift, stock.