i got a set of 289 mustang exhaust manifolds, the smallest SBF manifolds ive ever seen, shaved the hell out of them with a grinder and the mitor still doesnt fit....
I'm so lost in this engine swap...Today I shaved the shock towers back as far as I can. And so far my understanding is that a 351w will never fit in the engine bay with header clearance? So basically There are no type of headers I can us; long tube nor shorty headers that will fit in this car?
Look for 351w headers in a 65 66 mustang or falcon they will fit but will need patience. Heddman makes long tubes and shortys. Also tubular automotive makes them or crites headers and the hooker 6208. Heddmen is the cheapest
So its a good chance these can work- http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1∂=HED-88650&N=700+4294908331+4294908282+4294840125+4294889096+4294918680+115&autoview=sku
But its like everyone says there's gonna be a lot of , and , to get the engine in car. Even if I use this model of headman headers with shaved shock towers how good will this enhance my progress? ps. Some of your old Maverick 351w installation pics good probably help me. I wasted 2 sets of headers so far: Ebay shorties - non name brand. Summit brand - 302 Maverick headers
When I did mine yrs ago I had to put the hedders in first and hold them up with bungy cords then lower the motor down into place. If I remember I used real small headed hedder bolts. I have the same bolts on my 70 right know they are not cheap but make getting a wrench on easier. I took the tower braces off and left the valve covers off to get my hand in at the bolts. Give me a email addy to send pics to
For exhaust, you can use: Stock Maverick iron manifolds. Crites Restoration swap headers. (These have been discontinued, but there is a GP going on right now that you might be able to get into if you act QUICK) 6208 (iirc) Hooker headers made for a 65-66 Mustang 351w swap. (There is a great deal of modding needed to get these in, but still alot better than trying a 302 header or getting a set custom made.) Tubular Automotive has a purpose built set they sell for our cars. They are tiny tubes though, and they cost the same as the big tube Hookers. The Crites are big tubes like the Hookers, and are a 100 bux cheaper than either of these! Hedman used to make a set too, I don't know if they still do... Hedman has discontinued a great many parts and reorganized their lineup not too long ago. Anyway, these are tiny tubes as well. These and the Tubulars are too small for a 351 IMO. They are small for a healthy 302! Anyway, my opinion is that you should either use stock iron, or act right now to get in on the Crites headers. Shaving the towers doesn't do much for header clearance, but it does everything for getting your hands in there to bolt the headers on and change the plugs! I won't do another 351 without a shave.
Those are interesting. They aren't the ones I have seen in the past. Those actually have 1.625" pipes like most other 302 headers, and unlike the Hedmans I saw with 1.5" pipes. I can't find anywhere that they fit a Maverick, but they are cheap enough I suppose to try a set. Then again, with all the headers you have bought so far, you could have gotten the big tube Crites that are known to fit a Maverick 351w. Let us know, and take pics. If these actually fit, they might be a good choice when the Crites are discontinued again.
Sounds like it is almost time for a MII-type front suspension... I am just plain amazed at that pic of the 351w next to the shock tower I knew it was close, but not THAT close.
