I'm finally getting around to changing the old fender well headers on my 40. I would like to stay with fender well's, and I got a set from Speedway, but unfortunately they will not work. I was wondering what you guys in the 35-40 Ford are using? Here's a picture of the old and new.....
I have a set of these from S&S: http://www.headermania.com/mm5/merc...e=H&Product_Code=5251&Category_Code=STREETROD They're probably 20 years old and holding up well. The the right side is real close to the firewall pinchweld but it clears.
Those new headers look like the Patriot fenderwell headers that I put in my 37 Ford w/SBC. They fit with no problems other than t******* the rear of the inner fender liners.
I'm running an old set of S&S headers on my '39. Mine are probably 15-20 years old too. Fit great. Mike
I put a complete exhaust system from Reds on my stock 40 Coupe,headers to tailpips,they fit perfect and was affordable.
The headers from Speedway would work except that with my dropped front suspesion, the drivers side front tire hits the header when turning. The headers are also very close where they exit over the frame, less than a 1/4 inch!
The S&S recomended are the same basic shape as the Speedway's and Patriot's. I do header design as part of my job and if the Speedways don't fit the other two won't either. You didn't say what the problem is, but obviously your motor placement is not common to most swaps by looking at your old headers. The suggested Doug's Nova headers do sweep up a bit more and might work. Otherwise you will be looking at a custom set or having your old ones duplicated, I'd say
The lowered suspension is part of the problem. These headers were designed YEARS ago when most 40's that were looking for fenderwell headers were either stock height or in many case straight Axle cars - G***er style! It's a problem with Tri Five Chevy fenderwell headers too.
When I had a BB in my 39 dlx, I was using ****** Super Comp 62 Chevy II fenderwell headers They fit damn good, I used header wrap on them as they were about 2" from the fender, it would get the fender "warm" enough to keep people from sitting thei *** on the fender for very long but they never burned or discolored the paint. I was running what I want to remember as a 2" drop axle, reverse eye spring, with a 4 link. 14" wheel, was never even close to the tire. http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...6+4294907028+400390+4294918680+115+4294869917 Those were pricey back in the day, I see that has not really changed...
Thanks guys. I was told years ago that the fender well headers on the car were from a Chevy 2 so when I replaced them about 25 years ago, I used them again. I did have to do some bending and cutting, but they worked. I guess I'll either cough up the doug for a custom set or go with ch***is headers or those "hugger' thingies......
I can't say about Chevy II SB Fenderwell headers, but I can say for sure that the ****** Super Comps I had on my 39 fit WITHOUT modification to the headers. I had to open up the inner fenders some, but not too much. After trying several sets of headers for my SBF, I ended up with Pace Setter block huggers. They dont look as mean as the chevy II ones, but they are pretty nice.
Looks like you have some other options but I 'fixed' the tire rubbage problem on mine by limiting steering travel and running fairly small tires (185-60-15). The tires still come within an inch of the inner fender on the left side and rub on the right side so it's not all that bad. Oh yeah - and I filled the kick panels with house insulation to keep the inside of the car from getting so hot.
I can't limit the steering that much, and I'm running 165/15 tires so they're pretty narrow and not too tall. I think I'm going to have to give up on the fender well headers unless I have a set built, and I know that ain't going to be cheap!!
Sanderson! I have a small block, dropped Posies, etc NO problems!!! Sorry that I do not have better shots of the headers!!!
Anyone have build up pictures showing the sbc headers bolted to motor? And with the for mentioned fender well headers are you able to use the factory steering box? And how does the rest of the exhaust run under the car?
Doug Thorley has been a good friend for many years and a former sponsor of our Bonneville car. Many years ago when I built my 40 ford 2 dr, Doug sent me a pile of header parts and said "here, you build the fenderwell headers in a tri-y design and I'll supply the parts". He then said "the only thing I ask is when they are done send them to me and I'll make jigs off of them". Well, I did just that, they fit 38-40 fords with small block chev's. They are tri-y design in as they go 4 into 2 in a over-under design so the only modification needed is to space the lower inner fender out 1" at the bottom rear. Now the only kicker is that Doug sold Dougs headers to pertronix a couple of years back and I don't know if they still offer those headers. The part number is, D338Y for the plain headers and D338Y-C for coated ones. Maybe if they are not in the catalog they might have a few sets left, a phone call would be worth a try. Hope this helps, Gary.....
Thanks Gary, that is the best lead so far. I guess you wouldn't have any pictures of the headers in that 40 you were talking about
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