It's been awhile since I posted last but still working on full frame off restoration on customline, I'm gonna start having some questions for you guys as I start to put this thing back together. One question I have at the moment is will headman headers 88400 fit with borgeson ps box or is there something else that will provide more clearence. As you can see in one of the pics the stock exhaust manifold is too close to ps box, Im worried about cooking my new ps box. Anyway thanks , oh ya it's a 83 302/aod out of a grand marquis.
62ute: nice project. coming along. Question: what did you use for the steering column on the borgenson? I am looking to put one in my 56. If you could post some pics of the column it would be very helpful.
If anyone has used the Borgeson steering box with original clutch linkage (swinging pedals) I would like to talk to you.
56ford390. , haven't gotten that far yet, was thinking of going with an after market one tho like ididit or flaming river, won't know length tho till I get dash mounted up.
We now know two headers that will fit https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/another-sbf-header-for-53-woohoo.1058469/ here is the Hedman https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/albums/hedman-88400.45641/
I purchased both sets of headers listed above to fit my car, but I have a 351W. The Patriot H8433 is much more of a performance header, as it is 1 5/8 tubes and 3 inch collector; whereas, the Headman 88400 is 1 1/2 and a small collector. The Patriot header tubes are much longer and carry back in the car much further before they dump. I actually purchased the Headman 88400 first and had them ceramic coated black, as I read that on this forum that they fit the 351w just fine, but found out that they actually don't fit perfect, but other than one tube just fine. (Once I had the engine in the car and installed them I ended up having to clearance one tube to clear the steering box; otherwise, they fit fine.) Once this occurred I ordered the Patriot Header H8433 to see if they would fit better as I was really interested in the larger tubes, etc... as my engine is actually a stroked 351w to 393 cu inches with 10 -1 compression and it could use the extra breathing. The Patriots fit very well, but with the wider 351w block I still had to "slightly" indent one tube to clear the steering box, but really minor. ( I understand they fit the 302 just fine) I also like the way the Patriots carry further back and down in the ch***is. I will now go and get the Patriots ceramic coated and will have a set of new Headman 88400's ceramic coated black up for sale. (one tube was clearanced, as I stated, but it is down low and the ceramic coating still stayed in tact. It would be a good deal for someone and I will list in on the for sale page soon. I hope this helps someone... I have pics if anyone needs them, but then again, this is a 351w set up.
Update on Header fitment. After looking further at the Patriot Headers installed, they go back further in the car and the collectors are actually aimed a little to the outside of the car on both sides. Because of this it would make it very difficult to connect the exhaust pipes in a way to have it routed towards the exhaust holes in the ch***is. I actually have a friend that builds headers and we are cutting off the existing collectors, shortening by an inch or so, aiming them more down and to the inside where the exhaust pipes can be easier to route through the exhaust cut outs. The Hedmans don't have this issue, but I like the Patriots so i will take this extra measure. If you were using these headers for drag racing, and no exhaust system, they would be great unaltered; otherwise, you will have to do a little work to get the exhaust hooked up. I'll be glad to post pics once I have them done if someone is interested, which should be within a week or two,.
The Jalopy Journal
