hooker 6208 and the 351W?

No problems with the oil filter but you might want to put some of the heat wrap around it anyway.

 

jeez....after all that work, I'd just as easily built another custom header, but that's me.

Looks good...and I applaud you for the effort in making them fit!

 

To wrap things up!

I don't think that the 6208 headers are the headers of choice for the non-racers, but if you don't mind the challenge then by all means go for it.
I would not recommend this mod for anyone who can’t fabricate, cut and weld.
Right now I would just like to say thank you Lord for your help and keeping me safe while I was doing this and thank God it over.

As always just my .02
Terry Gates
AKA Bossmav

P.S. Any questions just ask.

 

Thanks Mavman!

 

Good Job Terry, the things we do for love huh?
Thx for the insight.

 

Yes thanks for going to the trouble to document the mods to do this...I have a set of 6208`s and I plan on going with a 393w
(After the towers are cut) And I have wondered what it was gonna take to make it happen.

The only thing I dont do (yet) is weld ,but I have a buddy who can help with that. Let me make sure I understand right ...the only welding required was on the frame rail after you cut a section out for clearance right?

Also I have some concerns about what effect the header heat will have on ...
A) steering box lube and seals
B) Brake master cylinder fluid and seals
C)Over all engine oil temp due to filter heating


(Sigh)... Almost makes me wanna go with a 347

 

Nice job Terry. Your description of each pic and what is going on makes it easy for us to see you worked your butt off getting this done. I am sure this thread will be used many times over.
Dan

 

Good detail and commentary on the job. I can fabricate and I can weld and so can my Dad.

I have a '72 that is going to have a 351W go into it. Right now, the fenders, grill, etc. is off the car (see pic below). I do want headers bigger than 1.5 inches. I have plans to eventually put a MII suspension on the front, but not now (something about funds). Do you have any sort of a measurement needed to dimple the firewall and cut a slice out of the frame? I'd like to do what mods I can with no engine, sterring box, etc., in the car.

Thanks for a great job.

 

Hawkco, I can get you the measurements needed for where you need to cut the frame but as far as how much to ding the firewall that one you'll have to just keep testing until they fit.
I can tell you now don't be to kind on the car one of the things that took me so long was I didn't want to hit my firewall anymore then I needed to but you really have to beat on it.

It took me 2 1/2 hours to get the frame right, like the firewall I started a very little bit at a time but to get the clearence that's really needed you have to take out a good piece.
On the side of the frame I heated up the frame and with the motor up as high as it would go I took a ball peen hammer and made a pocket for the header to fit in. I'm sure each person could do it his/her own way but to keep from dinging your header that the only way the #4 will go in.
Measurements to follow.

Terry

 

Sorry M.A.V. I needed my coffee this morning.
Yes you are right about the welding, you'll need that for the frame. I weld in a support on the bottom of the frame (better to be safe then sorry) 1/8 x 3 x 6 flat bar. Other then that a welder is only needed for the shock tower mod and unlike the 302 our taller deck height will require it.

You can relocate your oil filter if you wanted to but with the 1 inch gap I'm going to try the heat wrap first and keep a good eye on everything.

Gear box has me worried only a little because my car is drag only and won't be ran on the street so the motor will only be running for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. If you are going to be driving this mod on the street you will have to ding your header here to get enough clearence but I still think you'll be ok.

Brake master cylinder should not be a problem there is a good 1 inche between them but you could alway wrap the M/C just to be on the safe side.

Hope I've helped and please feel free to ake me anything and I'll do my best to answer it.

If there is a pix you would like just let me know.

Bossmav

 

Painfully recognizable pictures. I cringed everytime my 6208'$ hit
the frame or engine bay when I did mine.

Also, I too resorted to the BFH to the firewall - you gotta do what
you gotta do.


Good post and good luck.


Rick

 

Hey, I told you they'd work on a 351W with ALOT of work!! Good job!! Your pictures bring back painful memories of my 6208 install !!

 

Well I got to ask the obvious. Why not just put the stroker in there?
I'm not saying take a perfectly good 302 and stroke it, just pickup a good longblock and build it.
Pros, cons?

 

Rick,
My goal is to drop a 351W stroked to a 408, maybe even 427. The HP you can get from that with a 10:1 ratio is much greater than a 302 stroked to 347. I'd like to get over 500HP without NOS, be able to run 93 octane gas, and be decently streetable. My engine builder says it is very doable with a stroked 351W.

That old saying "no replacement for displacement."

However, I may have gotten too old and fat to make it work. I'm probably going to do the MII conversion first.

 

Excellent work. Tough job for sure but worth the effort IMO.
Good Luck. It amazes me at times how many guys on this board are so very talented. Keep up the good work.