Fenton headers

I have a 1939 ford pickup with a 8ba. Anyone have experience with fenton headers. Do they fit without modification?

Thanks
Speedy Pete

 

Only problem I had with putting them on the 8BA in my '34 pickup is a conflict w/the p***enger side firewall. But that's b/c my '34 pickup is channeled 6". Otherwise, there'd be plenty of room.

 

I think i remember something with the steering box. Ill ask my friend tonight and let you know.

 

The steering box is very close to the stock manifold.One supplier of Fentons told me I might have to grind down one of the bolt heads to make them fit. I will be interested in your friend experience.
Thanks for the reply.
Speedy Pete

 

Post some pics of that truck.

 

My 40 coupe has an 8BA. I installed Fenton cast iron headers. They just clear the stock steering box but getting the bolts into the block was very , very difficult. As I recall I had to buy socket head cap screws for some. With dual exhaust my clutch pedal hit the header pipe when depressed. Had to fine tune it with a ball peen. If I had to do it again, I think I would use tubular headers. Call Reds Headers in CA for info.

 

Have Fentons on my 59A in my '40 coupe w/stock str'g box. No problems .

 

Just talked to 215 slowpoke, he told me about this thread. I got Fenton's on my 8BA in a 41 ford frame. They just barely clear the steering box, and puttin' 'em in was a ***** even with the front clip completely off. I managed to do it however using standard hex head bolts. After I purchased my headers from speedway, the next catalog that arrived at my place had a set of Fenton headers with a notch cut out for steering box clearance! Go figure! The 41 frame is a little wider and longer than the 39 but I don't think that will affect you at all. My advice is get the ones with the notch! I am gonna have to wrap my headers with that fibergl*** insulation ******** to help keep the heat off my steering box. Good Luck!

 

I just installed a set of Fentons on my `41 Coupe this past weekend. The engine is a stock `41 85hp Flathead. The Fentons fit pretty well except for two areas, 1) the drivers side chatter rod had to be removed completely. I'm going to make a short rod to go from it's place on the block to one of the steering mount bolts. Just some threaded rod with a eyelet welded to the end to go under the steering gear nut. I dont think you'll have that problem on your `39 cause the chatter rods go towards the rear if I'm not mistaken. 2) the stock dipstick and tube had to go. My solution; I cut the stock dipstick tube about 3/4" above the top of the threads. Wrapped it heavy with teflon tape and screwed it into the oil pan bung. Next I found a cheapo chrome parts store stick and tube for an sbc. I cut it down and bent it a little here and there to clear the manifold then I jammed it into the short tube I previously screwed into the pan. Just a little epoxy to keep the two pieces sealed and connected a you've got it made.


Two side notes: The exhaust system I got from Red's Headers was a perfect fit and I would recommend them to anyone. Secondly I screwed up the RH Fenton manifold by not chasing the threads before I ran the studs in on the pipe flanges. On my p***. side manifold the bottom stud hole was cast quite thin in one tiny spot. Of course I found it when I noticed a crack appear. I brought it to a pro welder and he fixed it just fine but I thought I'd mention it to avoid anyone a problem in the future. (either the crack was already there or it broke with suprising ease since I did not put much force on the stud at all.........be careful)