Doug Thorleys are nice and a great quality. I just can't justify the price for a rebuilt 302 with just a better ignition and 4bbl carb.
My friend sent me an Ebay post on these. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-1964-...909510&hash=item363b70ab69:g:ak4AAOSwuNBZlhrO Not sure how good they would be or if anyone has an opinion on them.
I did, but then I'm non sure how different they are. the profiles seem the same, the flanges are much thicker, and their stainless, but that doesn't mean squat. especially if it's some aftermarket no name that isn't the same contour and position.
I would love to but to me the cost vs. an almost stock engine. I think those headers are the best, don't get me wrong, but I just want it to breathe a bit better. Those stainless ones were way off anyway, and I have your article on the modification to the 88400s and my shop guy said not to hard to do. I'll give it the old college try and if we fail, well then on to the thorleys lol.
I could not justify the cost of the Doug Thorleys for my car either. I had the 88400s installed before I read about the modification and was disappointed with the pitman arm clearance problem. Dimpling solved the problem but it is really too bad that Hedman will not make the minor design change needed so their headers will fit our cars.
The shop that's doing my head work said they would do the dimple then send the 88400s to be powder coated so all in all the headers cost me about 3 to 350 dollars.
Powder coating is a good idea. I scuffed mine and painted them with high temp paint which peeled off. It would have been a minimal cost for Hedman to use a high temp paint instead of regular primer during the manufacturing process. Years ago I installed long tube headers on a 71 Grabber. The performance gain was quite noticeable. The shorties did not seem to give me a lot of extra power on my 73. Even with pertronix ignition, headers, intake and Holley 4 barrel the 73 does not run like the 71 did. The compression drop between 71 and 73 made a big difference in the performance of the 302.
The difference would be the location in the engine bay of the collectors. They're going to be moved up and out some compared to a 302.
I once put a set of 302 headers on a 351w in a Mustang. The exhaust shop had to cut the collectors and angle them down as they were too close to the floor and framing to clear. Other than that, they were on the car for years without any other problems.
I went with shortys because I only have an Edlebrock 4Bbl duel exhaust and 4bbl aluminum intake. It's otherwise stock. I want to keep it as stock as I can, it had a paint and interior combo with accessories combo that is kind of rare.
I used these: Hedman 88400 and it is true that after the collector the pitman arm was going to bump when turning left but in the workshop they solved that by making a small angle on the tube and that's it.
Wow I forgot I owned a Maverick until I came back here. Well over a year ago I took it to have an overheating issue looked at and while they were replacing the gaskets I was going to have them put headers on it I purchased. Never heard back from them........... Working this year for a hospital has really dumped everything else out of my mind. including the fact I own a Maverick. I should give them a call haha.
