Hi all, I'm fairly new to the board, as I've been learning alot by just reading. I'm in the midst of cramming a 351W from a '74 Gran Torino donor car into my newly acquired '76 Maverick. I've done the shock tower mod, and am very close to having the engine bolt into the motor mounts (we're talking an inch), but realized that I needed some different headers, so I've ordered the Hedman 88300's. I've found quite a few posts about them, and about needing a drop bracket for the Power Steering Slave Cylinder, but I can't find any part numbers for the drop bracket. I went to Jegs.com and looked up the Hedman Header accessory brackets, and called them. They said that this is the part that I need: P/N: 500-20120 POWER STEERING BRKT-FORD $17.99. I ordered it. Have any of you had to order this part, and is it the correct one? I just want to make sure, because I'm ready to have this thing in here!!!!! I'll post some pictures of the conversion as I take them. Thanks in advance, Eric Wall
Those headers are made to work with a 302 in a Maverick/Comet. You will have some difficulties making them work with a 351W.
I agree with CometGT1974 about the headers, you are going to have problems. What I don't understand is if you have done the shock tower mod why you can't get the motor in the mounts, is this because you have the headers bolted to the motor and you are trying to lower is back down? If so just see where they are hitting mark that spots and then take them back off, go to a local muffler shop that you trust and have them modify the headers. Hope they aren't coated! Let us know a little more about your problem. Terry P.S. I've got one of those brackets if you need it just give me a PM
as far as I know, the 88300's wont fit at all without some major mods (removing tubes and re-bending them) on a windsor, even with chopped towers. I tried them when I did the swap....no way they'd fit. I went with custom-made headers.
when i changed from a 351w to a 302 i had to get new headers as the 351w was wider so the headers had to be closer to the engine to clear. when i bolted them to the 302 they hit the motor mounts. the 302 headers had to clear the mounts a little farther. don't know what brand they were. what i was wondering is if you modified the shock towers would the 302 headers work as they can move a little further out now???
I have used those headers on my car. They will work if you do the proper shock tower modification. You cant just chop the towers back and call it good, You also need to drop you lower controll arms by one inch, on each side. This is accomplished by redrilling the holes ecactly one inch down from the stock location, and that allows you to cut the towers not only wider, but also farther down. I beleive this is one modification i stoll from caroll shelby. He did this to all of the 65 shelby gt350r mustangs. it also allows for better handeling. you should have no problem fitting a 351w in your car. I hope this is helpfull.
Still it's good info to have. We might have to try this on my friends 71 Comet. He is trying to use Summit 302 headers and I don't see it happening.
Even though this is a reply to an old post, I think I should point out that the Shelby Drop is performed on the upper control arm not the lower as you indicated.
I agree, this information is helpful. I'm going thru this myself. I've shaved the towers, and now I even shaved down an inch away from the motor mounts. I have the power steering bracket, hope not bend any of the tubes, but we'll see.
