So I wound up getting the Sanderson shorties https://www.sandersonheaders.com/sanderson-fc4-header-set-for-ford-351c-351m-400m-mustang.html?category_id=36, but before I tear it apart, I looked at the clearances. It looks pretty tight on the passenger side shock tower. Did they slip right in for you without modification? I’m not gonna cut on my shock tower for headers.
Yup. Looks tight but went right in. No mods to my shock towers needed.
That’s another option I’m considering. In fact, when I asked Don Rush about it, he enthusiastically recommended manifolds. I’m no drag racer, so I’m not too concerned about losing a few horses if I can quit dragging my ride on every speed bump or dip in the road! What made you change back, and what would you say you gained and gave up? Thanks!
That’s great to hear. I’m not thinking there are any differences between the 69 and 70 in that area. What (if anything) did you have to disassemble to get to ports and clean 'em? Stock motor mounts? Also, were you able to do it from above…without getting up on a lift? Thanks!
Manifolds would have been far easier but mine were cracked and leaking. I wanted long tube headers to boost torque but when I installed my rack and pinion steering they interfered with the steering shaft. I wanted the precise steering more than the long tube headers so out they went.
I’m looking at the car now and am pretty sure I installed the passenger side from the bottom. It was very easy to do especially compared to the drivers side as I have a manual trans and the Zbar and steering make for right fits. No gaskets in these just a bead of silicone sealant. I used HiTemp black per Sanderson directions. I let it cure overnight before I bolted them up.mm
Last night I pulled the DS header. It had to come out back and down and I had to lift the engine slightly. As the motor mounts were unbolted I just lifted it a bit and the header came out. Tonight I pulled the PS header. It came out back and down though I picked it up off the floor and brought it out going up between the shock tower and firewall.
I used a mix of flex head and regular ratcheting box wrenches and my flex head ratchet to get the bolts out. I pulled the plug wires for access.
I think my plan moving forward is to get the car up on some stands, remove the too-big hookers, and get the mounting surfaces cleaned up. I’m going to wrap the Sandersons with painters tape for a text fit. If they slide in, I untape, permatex and install. I don’t have an engine lift, so if I gotta do that - bad news. If they don’t fit, back to Summit they go, and I just order the manifolds from WCCC and wait. Thanks for all the feedback!
You can lift the engine with a floor jack and a block of wood on the oil pan. You don’t need a lift.
car on stands
remove hookers
clean mounting surfaces
test fit, permatex, and bolt in
I had to pull the equalizer bar to get the Hookers out, but the Sandersons slid in like they were greased. Heading for the exhaust shop to have ‘em weld up the extensions to the collectors!