anyone know/like the best/easiest fitting shorty header for 302 in a naverick....no power steering or brakes. thanks
The thread title is very appropriate. Headers has to be the NUMBER one thing people ask about. Does anybody do a "search" any more? There are probably 3000 threads on the subject. But to answer your question....you will get lots and lots of opinions. When I post my answer below, others will chime in how I am wrong and the correct answer is "insert another make/brand here". You asked: the best/easiest fitting shorty header for 302 in a Maverick Actually, you asked about a naverick.....but I corrected it for you. The answer: Doug Thorley shorties. I have them, I speak from experience, I have installed others, case closed.
do they go on before you put the engine in or after it's mounted? I see two part numbers....268-1-c and 2681-c are they the same headers? I do have long tubes for my Naverick but don't need them going to a mild 302.
They go on after. May need to lift one side of the motor at a time to get them in and on. Looks like the same part number to me. You keep typing Naverick . Ha Ha.
Well I don't think it'd be fair to poster if I didn't contribute, I was less than impressed with fitment and Bryant mentioned same a couple months ago on a install he was doing... The rub mentioned is minor but the interference with steering and bell housing isn't... Scan through my build thread to get picts of install(starts at post 59)... http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/my-1972-c0met-gt-clone.95746/page-3 This echos my thought exactly...
I'm surprised that bbk or jba shorties don't fit ....anyone use 289 hi-po factory cast iron they must fit ???
If you mean headers for Fox Stang ain't gonna happen, those engine bays are probably 2.5"-3" wider than Mav/Comet... I have a set of shorty 1515 BBK I run on my T-Bird, don't come close to fitting...
if i was to do the thorley headers again i would cut the ball socket end off of the drives side header, fit and weld a down pipe to it to get around the steering as best as possible. now with the cost of these headers, that is a ridiculous thing to have to do. with my experience at this point i would suggest the hooker headers. the down falls of the long tubes are ground clearance, the drop down bracket for power steering, and interference with column shift linkage. ive heard of the headman shortys fitting ok. i have not tried them. im not a fan of headmans in general due to them using thinner flanges and gauge tubing. and the worms keep crawling.
according to Thorley tech the new shorties THY-268-1-C....fit with no problems. they were built for a 302 mav. with motor in car.........my mav is going to be low so I'd like to stay away from the long tubes I do have
I was just thinking the exact same thing when I clicked on this thread. Believe me...if they would not have worked....I would not be using them. I am very particular. My exhaust guy is very good. He is not cheap...but he is very good. It did take some work to bend a pipe to fit....but it DOES fit. I have used the Headman shorties. They pointed directly at the firewall too much for my liking. The other issues you brought up I agree with.
I believe my steering sector rub is due to the Pro Comp heads being slightly wider than the irons other have used, I also had to trim the rearward bolt for passenger upper control arm to be able to set engine back in place... The clearance problem at pittman arm and bell housing is purely a design issue...
