I'm having lots of fun rounding up parts for my 1957 Ford 406 project. One problem keeps bugging me. I'm definately going with an FE engine and my existing T85 3-speed O/D transmission on the tree. Anyone know from experience what headers will work? Some people say the shorty 390/406 exhaust manifolds will fit, others say I have to swap in a '58 steering box and column. Crites says his headers won't work. I hate to go with the flat exhaust logs (yuk!).
You can not go wrong with a 58 steering box they are smaller and a better design. The problem is you have to use the 58 horn contack assb. and steering wheel .
TOM :unitedstates:
Quote from: 57 Ford Kustom on 2008-08-20 18:07
You can not go wrong with a 58 steering box they are smaller and a better design. The problem is you have to use the 58 horn contack assb. and steering wheel .
TOM :unitedstates:
Do you know a dependable shop be rebuild a 58 Ford steering box? Please advise ,thanks in advance Jim.
All the years my car was an FE I had custom built headers. Couldn't lower the car with them. I didn't
mind cause I was racing it anyway.
Ron :004: I hate the flat manifolds!
There must be someone out there who sells 57 FE manual shift headers? I can't believe all those cars back in the day had custom made pipes...
How about Ford Powertrain Applications (FPA)? Here is a link to there website: http://fordpowertrain.com/FPAindex/headers1.htm
I have a set on my '58 with a 390 and an automatic. Although my car has a '58 steering box (of course), their website says it will fit 1955-59, so the gearbox shouldn't be an issue. Plus there is plenty of clearance near my steering gearbox. Per their website, they do fit stickshift cars.
If you want, send me an e-mail at psmalley@fordpinto.com and I can send you some pictures.
Not the best pic, but here is near the gear box
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2784590978_2750bfe45a.jpg)
Hooker Headers makes a set of Super Comps for the '57--'58 Ford with a standard trans,they may have some in their warehouse, if not I don't know if they'd dig out the jigs for 1 set(wouldn't hurt to call and ask!).I worked for them in the 70's and they used a '58 wagon with a 352 and 3 speed on column to tool up for the jigs to build them(employee discount-$75 a set). I ran these and the ones for a '63 Galaxie with a stick ,which fit also! on '57's with stock steering box you had to dimple the #3 tube on drivers side to fit if I remember right to clear the lower left corner of the steering box. KID
FWIW FPA is what I run with my 429. Quality is excellent.
Ron :004:
I spoke with FPA and their headers sound like the answer. I understand there are some small clearance issues from car to car, but I don't think they're anything I can't fix with my big FORD hammer...