Okay so i know there are threads on this already but I'm not finding too much on my specific application. I have a 1984 302 with GT40Ps and i have what i beleive are heddman long tubes, I'm not sure. And here's the problem. Passenger side is perfect no issues. The driver side is a major pain. Cylinder 2, 4, and 6 have plug fitment issues. Has anyone done it with these headers? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
I have some experience with these things. You will need some short header plugs. Accel P526S. They are pretty expensive. I paid $13 each for them back in 2005. You will also need 90 degree spark plug boots. I bought some HEI boots, cut off the spark plug boots, and crimped these on. Then you will need a second header flange, no tubes, and two sets of header gaskets. I used those ones that are multilayer aluminum, one on each side of the flange. That should be enough to keep from burning your plug boots. So, you will have block, gasket, flange, gasket, and header. You will still need to remove or at least move it out a bit to get to the plugs. Taking it off is easiest. I also made a tool for getting to the plugs. Check this out for some help getting the plugs on. http://scooper77515.fordmaverick.net/november2005.htm Your best bet would be to lose the P heads. They flow well, but are a major hassle. I went with a set of GT40 non-P heads and have never looked back.
oh man thats quiet the process for a stupid little thing like spark plugs lol. i never thought of using another flange haha thats a good idea as long as my headers have the extra clearance. yeah i wish i had gone with non p heads but i got these for practically free so it was great at the time. maybe ill look into a set of non p heads, that sounds like the easiest way to go, but slightly more expensive. if not then ill get some flanges, more gaskets, longer bolts, and make a special tool lol. thank you scooper.
I bought my headers right from Ford Motorsport. More expensive, yup. But they are Stainless steel and made specifically for GT40P heads. Bolted right up without any issues at all. No plug interferance at all. Well worth the money. http://www.fordracingpartsdirect.co...LEARANCE_STREET_ROD_HEADER_p/m-9430-sr302.htm
yeah thats another direction i can go. but i do love my headers that i have, whatever they are lol. i just looked at them so i can have a fresh look at them and see how bad it actually is. they really arent too bad on clearence. i think just getting the shorty plugs on the driver side will give me the needed clearence.
the p heads are great if you have space and right headers. if not they are a nightmare, i sold mine and purchased a set of trickflow heads. i sold my p heads for $400 and purchased my trickflow heads, arp studs, roller rockers, pushrods for $900 worth the search and wait.
I had the GT-40P's & 88300 Headmans AND the Accel Shortys (which were also very hard to get and expensive as I could only locate the premium version of the plug) AND 90 degree plug boots AND dimples in the header tubes AND I could not make them work - I did have header wrap on, but still....got the PS side in and plugs in OK but there was no way the DS would work. I would guess I had less than an inch of clearance between the shorty plug tip and the header tube - without the plug wire on! I had to install the plugs prior to the headers and I would not be able to change them without pulling the header which also took extensive time to get aligned between the already shaved tower and the head. After all of the screwing around chipped paint and swearing I pulled the 40P's off (after I had spent a ton of time porting them) and just got my E7's rebuilt and got rid of the issues. I know some people have made them work but be warned your likelihood of extreme aggravation will be high. I read alot on fit issues prior to trying and tried all of the tricks and I still could not make them work.
I really hate to hear those kinds of "threw in the towel" stories. For stock parts.. the GT40 stuff really are nice pieces. Porting makes them even better. Those extra 30 horsies aren't doing much good if you can't get everything hooked up decent enough for proper maintenance though. That's a new one on me too. Interested in the response.. even moreso in pic's of the install.
maverick 1970 did the ford racing headers fit really well with the P -heads and also did they for sure clear without any mods.if so I would love to find P-haeds for my mav .I know where to find a explorer 5.o complete engine this kind gets me excited
wow thank you all for all of the info. so to me it sounds like in order to keep my headers, plugs, and all that and have easy maintenance i wanna take the gt40ps and sell them and get some non p heads. it really seems like the best choice. thank you for all the info. its a real bummer because its litterally so close to being on the road but you gotta do what you gotta do. unless someone on here has some long tube headers for p heads and want some hedmann longtubes non P it looks like im gonna throw i the towel with the rest of them and get non p heads.
