I have a '39 Ford two door sedan with a 355 sbc. I now have 55 Chev type fenderwell exit headers on it but they are really close to the fenders. I am torn between modifying these or just getting some of the "fat fender" headers. The engine sets back to the flat part of the firewall so these too would have to be modified. Any opinions? Thanks in advance, Rod
What are fat fender headers? Block huggers are standard for this application. Unless you are racing the car block huggers are more than sufficient and create a lot less problems. Check Joel's build on the HAMB for an example of fender well headers he might be able to help you out with some ideas.
39 guy, the fat fender headers are available at Speedway and dump at the rear of the front fenders. I don't have much room for headers other than over the frame. Thanks for your post, Rod
I used the "fat fender headers" from Speedway on my 38 Chevy, they were cheap and seem to work just fine, if I would have stuck to an I beam axle and left the clutch/brake cylinder on the firewall I'd have used the 2.5 inch Ram Horn cast iron pieces that had been on the car for 30 years but when you have a master cylinder under the floor and a steering mast snaking down what choice do you have? I suspect you were encountering some of the same issues as I when you choose fender well headers.
If your 39 still has the stock steering box than you might want to look at 55,and 56 Chevy exhaust manifolds. The driver side dumps out towards the front and let's you clear the box and have a might have a better path to clear your clutch linkage. It's tight no matter how you do it.
I used a set of Sanderson street rod headers from Speedway that I got years ago, I had a 327 350 thm trans. Had a Vega steering box with the beam axle. The Steering box and headers are in my attic. Had to lightly ding the tubes, but fit well. Am in the rebuild stage with IFS, not sure what I'll use. Camaro "clipster" headers look promising.
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