im in the process of putting my new 351w in my comet, ive been searching all over the web for 351w swap headers and found nothing but bad news because of lack of space... does anybody know of a header that will fit with little or no mods? if not.. any old factory manifolds that will work?
If I remember right even a 351W has a wider deck than a 302. You might want to take some measurements.
The following is the link to Crites Restorations. Maverick 302/351 headers are near the bottom of the page: http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=colson43&page=8 It is my understanding Tubular Automotive also makes headers for the Maverick /Comet 351W swap: http://www.dragonmotorcars.com/TubularAutomotive.html I used to have a 351W in my Comet which I installed about 30 years ago. There were no headers available at that time. I had a custom set made by J. Bittle America based on an early Mustang 351W swap.
Of additional interest, Just this last week, the kid has me out working on the old car. Its been sitting 4 or 5 years. Were doing the old 6 to 8 routine. I had bought all the parts years back but never did the work... We're down to the ex manifolds and while I thought I had the right set, when I went and installed it the manifold was blocking the ball pivot boss for the clutch linkage... So start looking online. no avail... short of spending some $$. Last night I ventured into the shed and found a set for a mav but also found a set from a 1969 Cougar/351 Windsor. The manifolds are very similar. They exit out the same place as the mav manifold but instead of pointing straight back, they turn out just a tad and kind of point towards the door jam. Here's a pic. The 351 manifolds are on the left, The mav on the right(driver side only)... It's different than the ones that turn out, but don't go down first... That's the third set on the far right. So anyone seen or tried these? I know the quick and easy answer is just go get the right ones the first time and be done... I understand that. Also I understand you've all had this discussion too many times, so if you choose not to indulge, that's ok. I may spend some time... ok, waste some time here and there, but someone who won't even bother to investigate to me is like the millennial generations view growing up in a buy and throw away world... lol..., Maybe it's not all that bad, but I long for the days of junkyards filled with rusty metal and parts to build hotrods out of.... They are getting fewer and farer between them. And now unless you are in the good ol boy network, your gonna pay big... I have a few bits and pieces in the shed, like the 69 351 heads and manifolds from one of the many trips to these yards. In the end... It's gotta be I just love cars. OK, you told me, I'm gonna use the set I bought off of this list, But as soon as the motor goes in. Fittment exercises will begin... Just think what these fitting would allow us to do. Increased compression and more potential in general.... Oh... uh oh, cast VS. store bought aluminum heads... That's another story...
Hey Hotrock, Thanks for the information. Before it's all said and done, I'm liking some of the new sets of headers Im seeing. I've been particularly liking the shorty versions...
If someone does make a set of easy fit set of headers I'm sure they would make lots of $$$ I've seen pictures of the Crites and they may be on to something but Tubular auto's are not a drop in header! As always just my .02 Terry
Tubular Automotive headers will work for the 351W, but they will require some adjustment with a ball peen hammer. Once you do that you should be fine. The Crites headers require some modification to the spring towers and I think they give you a piece to weld in. I have been running the Tubular ones for over 15 years. Also they won't work with column shift. Good luck, Lee "THE MAV" Richart
The main problem with a 351W in a Mav/Comet is that the first pipe on the driver side aims right at the upper A-arm .... very tight. My headers are a used set of Blackjacks (for a 67-68 302 Cougar) that an inch was taken out of each pipe. I had two other brand new sets on hand too, but this used set was the closest to fitting. Very tight on the first and third pipe ... small-head header bolts. Also, the pitman arm on the steering box made its own clearance, too. You may find that the oil filter is tight against the shock tower. You can switch to a shorter filter for some Mopar applications. I ended up notching the tower for clearance there. The motor is also taller. My air filter is in my hood scoop. I did this in the mid-90s, before stroker kits were so available. If doing it again, I would use a 302-based motor. You get rid of the hassles and there are some really decent headers out there.
My concern would be killing the exhaust flow on a good set of heads with the tight, restrictive bends required to clear the towers.
