Hi All, I got my headers installed. They are the Hedman 88-400 I believe. However, It seems quite tricky from this point on. When I turn the wheel to the left, the pitman arm blocks the driver side header, and the angle on the passenger side is pretty steep. How did you guys deal with this? Dan
Dan, understand that these headers were not specifically designed for the Mav. If you want a good overall fit to the head pipes, some changes need to be made due to the outlet flanges coming so close to the floor board areas as well as some attention to the steering arm interference. I have them on my car complete with a crossover and custom muffler pipes. Here is how it is done. 1. Cut off the protrusion from the side of the bell housing on the drivers side, with a hack saw. 2. At the outlet flange of each header, go back 1" and make a hacksaw cut from the top side down about 7/8th if the way through 3. Mount headers back on the engine and get under and spread the cut open about 3/4" or to the angle you need to get a good hookup with a head pipe with out interference from the steering arm at it's extreem left turn position assuming a pipe diameter not more than 2-1/4" in diameter. The header outlet size is only 2". 4. When satisified with the fit, have a patch welded over the cut area. 5. Have new custom bent head pipes made to fit your intended exhaust layout. When completed in this manner, you will have lots of room around the pipes to work on any other areas near the pipes. The steering arm will come within a wisker of the pipe but should never be a problem and would only be that close when parking a left turn.
Maybe my engine was setting farther forward but my pitman arm hit the collector not the header so I put a small dent in the exhaust side of the collector. As for the passanger side I had no clearence problems the stock manifolds I beleive exit in the same manor.
Like Thomas, with my Hedman Shorties, I had to put a dimple in the collector as well. It wasn't even close to hitting the hedder. -Corbin
If you bought the Hedman maverick headers Summit raciing catalog says that they are for 70-74 mavericks. Your 77 may have different clearances or steering component locations.
The hedman 88-400 is a shorty header that is made for the 65-73 mustangs 62-70 falcons, it fits very well on the maverick. I probly would have gone the direction that Ken M went if it wasn't for the fact I had the headers already mounted when I found the clearence problem. I wanted shorty header for my car so we could have more ground clearence.
Yes, the headers I have are the shorties. It still seems, however, that a dimple in the pipe won't do. The steering arm comes in too far. Well, Its worth a try and if it doesnt work I may have to use a version of k. Merring's method. But this is going to have to wait 'till it gets a little warmer (is 10 degrees where I am today). Also, How did you connect your desired exaust diameter to the header? The reducer it comes with is only 2" diameter. It would ba a shame to have the flow go through that to only later open up into a larger pipe. I think I may not use a reducer all together and just weld a 2.5" converter dirrectly to the ring that holds the reducer against the gasket and header. What do you think? Dan
Any version of hookup to the outlet will do as long as a seal is obtained. I would not recommend you go bigger than 2-1/4" on the head pipes because is makes more of a fittment problem and the outlet of the headers are still smaller. This pipe diameter is more than adequate for the power level you are at. I cut the outlet reducers back as far as possible and welded the 2-1/4" on over the remaining piece. This method give the most access to the flange bolts. As far as steering arm interference, I was able to completely avoid any interference problem with my setup being power steering. Manuel steering arms are a different length so there could be some problem. On pipe size, there is a general tendency to go big at 2-1/2 " and larger just for looks. It helps little with performance on the street.
Dan, Does your Maverick have power steering? If so, then you'll need the Hedman steering arm extender that drops your Power Cylinder rod attachment point down about 1.5 inches on the drivers side. I only found this out AFTER putting the headers on and couldn't drive the car! Luckily, a speed shop in Houston had one for $12.00 (gonna powder coat it too! hehehehe) Pegasus
Dan, if you would like a copy of the article I wrote about my system, I shall be happy to send you same. It appeared in a copy of Short Horns two years ago. The photos are copy machine quality but shows a lot of detail still. You will get a chance to see and read about the cross over and special muffler pipes that keep the system tucked up under the car for maximum clearence on my fuel injection setup.
I also used the Hedman 88400 and I also had interference problelms with the power steering cylinder.....so Instead of getting the drop bracket I threw that piece of sh*t power cylinder in the garbage and went with manual steering!! Who needs power steering, it robs too much horsepower!!!!!
forgot to mention.......a six pack of beers and a big hammer makes the installation of these particular headers go alot smoother!!!!!!!
