I see that Hedman lists a header setup for a 390-428 FE engine in a 55 thru 59 Ford passenger car. Has anybody here ever tried these headers, or even seen a set in person? I am kinda interested in a set for my 59, but would appreciate any input, if anybody has any.
I haven't personally seen a set but at $700.00 from Summit I'd be looking at the FPA's instead. Crites makes a set for about half the price. The fit is really good although the four front tubes do hang low, about 4 inches with a 28 inch tall tire.
59meteor:
I don't have any experience with FE's and Hedman headers. But the set of Hedman's I had on my 65 Mustang, back in early 1965 gave me 1/2 second and 7 mph improvement at the drags. Photo of the engine compartment shows we really didn't give a darn how it looked, just how it ran. lol
Bob
57 AGIN
Cool photos! Is that Lions drag strip?
My friend Joe Gerardi has a set on his Custom. He said they bolted on easily, no real hassles. I have seen them in person and they look good. Problem is, they are not I stock and if you order them it will be several months before you get them. Joe got his when they were still readily available. It's a good part...too bad they don't keep them in stock.
rmk57:
Yes, that was Lions Drag Strip. I've still got all my timing slips from Lions. When I get them out and look at them I can see that on a given Saturday or Sunday I'd get as many as 15 runs on the car. Lots of time trials early, then the class eliminations. Because of the class I was in G/SO F-6 (G Stock Optional, Formula 6 meaning 280 to 300 cubic inches, single quad, hydraulic lifters) there were lots of cars in the class. Nova's, Camero's, Studebaker Lark's, Mustangs, Falcon's, etc. so eliminations could result in 6 or 7 runs. Lots of good memories.
Bob
57 AGIN
JPotter57, how are your buddys Hedman FE 57 Ford headers for ground clearance, and is his car an automatic or manual trans? I am curious how they would be for clearing clutch linkage. And did they point at the trans crossmember, or go above or below?
I am aware of the FPA headers, and I have known Stan Johnston at FPA for over 30 years, but I would prefer a full length 4 tube header. I am also aware of the Crites headers, but the lack of ground clearance concerns me. I know guys who have modified headers for a 67-70 Mustang/Cougar, or headers for a 66-69 Fairlane/Comet. The Fairlane headers have similar ground clearance issues as the Crites, and either have issues with the collectors aiming right at the trans crossmember.
Ground clearance appears to be good. I have a side shot of the car somewhere, when I find it I will post it. I dont think you can see them hanging down. His car is an automatic, and I am not really sure of the compatibility with clutch , z bar, fork etc. Look at Hedmans website, it should have footnotes saying if it will work with manual trans. I tend to think it will but with floor shift only.
By the way, yes, the trans crossmember is a problem. I fixed mine with a late crown vic crossmember grafted into the old brackets. Bolts in like stock but has double humps to clear the exhaust.
Great info on the crossmember James.
James:
Rick did a similar thing on my trans cross member, but did it to work with the original frame mounting and the much longer TKO 600.
sliced up a piece of box tubing to make the hump for exhaust.
Sorry to Hi Jack. really good info here on the crossmember.On my build i will be using my Hedmans from 61-62.Not as efficient as the new units,I really don't care.
Bob,I see your using a aftermarket Bell housing..I plan on using a factory FE unit,I am trying to get a bead on a measurement on extending the trans mount to accommodate a TKO.
maybe this has been posted before.Just trying to make sure.
Jeff:
The Bell Housing is made by Lakewood, I bought it back when I was bolting up my 351W to a BW T-10. It worked well for the TKO 600, too.
Gasman: Heck of a nice job strengthening your frame.
Bob
57 AGIN
Quote from: 57AGIN on 2014-02-21 00:47
Jeff:
The Bell Housing is made by Lakewood, I bought it back when I was bolting up my 351W to a BW T-10. It worked well for the TKO 600, too.
Gasman: Heck of a nice job strengthening your frame.
Bob
57 AGIN
Thanks Bob,great info.
Yea Gary,super trick frame,Bullet proof!
I wouldn't mind seeing a set of these hedman headers and find out what they did differently. I have about 4" or so clearance with car at rest, when you jack the car up there's about 3/4" between the header tube and tie rod with all the suspension hanging down. I built my own crossmember as I didn't want to cut up my original and my collectors go underneath it.
Having all four 2"inch tubes go over top the control arms would be an engineering marvel. I did this with the old y-block and 1 1/2" tubes and it was a tight squeeze.
Fender well headers maybe an option.
you can move a tube or two on 67-68 Mustang FE headers and they will work. I have seen a pair done. The Hedman headers I believe are only 1 3/4 tube. 2" tube headers would never work without putting one or two tube on each side outside the frame rails. You can look at Bob Lewis car to see how that is done, but those are big tube 429 type headers for 70-71 Torino. Not sure if that would work for the similarly built big tube FE headers for 68-69 Torinos.