Does anyone know of any y block headers that fit a 54 Ford besides the ones from reds? if not are the ones fro, reds any good, they look like a tube version of the stock manifolds.. Anyone use these? John
Red's Headers (not hedders) has a really good reputation when it comes to quality and fit. Keep in mind that for street applications all that "equal length" and "mandrel bent" stuff doesn't mean a whole lot. What you're looking for is a clean, easy installation that doesn't rattle or leak. Leave the high-zoot techie stuff to the racers...imho, that is.
After really looking at the price of red's headers, if you don't have a good connection with EDB exhaust manifolds, then they aren't a bad price. They seem to be nice, and I've not heard anyone say anything bad about them.
There are only 2 places I know of that sells headers for a Y block ! Of course anyone can make you a pair but that will cost more . I had a nice set of headers about year ago I sold that were sort of like the log style that Sanderson's makes . Was no name one them and very heavy . I thought they might be an original after market you could get for a T bird back in 55 to 57 from the Ford aftermarket upgrades . I did see an article one time with the same headers on a 57 T bird . I also have a set of long tube Y block headers now but I sold all my Y block stuff to another HAMBer . If you can weld at all , they really aren't that hard to make . Jim
If you can find a pair, the old Belden's are real nice. Ron ( raceron1120 ) got a pair and we put them on his Vicky. Nice fit and look aces. He may have some pics of his on the bench and as installed on his profile album.
OOH OOH OOH!!!! PICK ME! PICK ME! I just installed Red's on my y block. They pretty shweet. Very basic and log style, but they work awesome. Especially with my smithys. $226 shipped to my door. Not bad really. Lightweight too. Took off the old stock manifolds and directly bolted them in. Easy work makes this fat kid happy. I'd buy from them again. Guy on the phone was cool and easy to work with.
If you remember a while back Rocky went thru Hell trying to get the clutch linkage to work with '55 and later dual manifolds in His '54,the header for a '54 is one year only,'55 and later use a different header check out the Red's Headers website.
I got my NOS Belonds from Clark at Porter Muffers (Alliance Vendor). I don't think he has any more of them but might be worth checking with him. He made me a great deal on them. Jim I have that other set (generic, no name) I got from you last year, waiting for the next project. Ron
Crestline. Here is the link. I called them to order them though. http://reds-headers.net/index.php?m...id=136&zenid=938085a55e3a9ad3bbf482332dcfa6d7 Hope this helps. Rocky
Ron , You have no idea how many times I could have sold them since then ! Now that someone bough all my Y block engines and parts for 2 roadsters he would have loved yo have them . The ones you have pictured is what I was so terrible trying to explain on how to make your own . They are not hard to make but if you look at the design , they really aren't what good of a flowing set at all . You have one long runner then the other three have a 2" to 3" tube to the main tube which isn't really much better than what you get from an manifold . They look good but thats it . Now if you keep the same main long tube then make 3 more just like that one and the connect at the collector , you would have a whole lot more better flow . The way the headers is set up that short straight shot is just too much air in one place . The main tube is correct but when the other three shorty's go straight into the main tube you are just stopping that air flow something terrible . That is why I really prefer long tube headers ! They let the g***es get away from the heads much faster before they get connected where they all meet and start to slow the air flow down . So that is why I am just going to use long tubes and cut and weld them so I can get the real advantage from a header . I do like the Hedman shorty and they are nothing but a copy from the early Mustang style and if you look the number up they are all for those year cars in the mid 60 to early 70's and they will fit all of our 289/302/5.o conversions we use in most of our 52 to 56 Fords . They should be the best way to go and they are a very good design and flow . For the work I will need to do for long tube header I am pretty sure I just might go and buy those Hedman headers and save myself a lot of work . I do have a nice set Tri Y headers that I was going to use so I will see how much work I will have to do to them to make them work . If not I can use them on my 50 Ford g***er I am going to build next . I also have a new set of long tube headers and a good used set of long tube headers as well as other header sets from GM engines that I can use all the tubes and collectors from . So I have a lot of choices to look at to see what will work the best for my application . If I was one of you guys/gals looking for the best set of headers for a small block swap , I would spend the $212 for the Hedman headers . I think that looks to be the best value and quality for your money . Well these are just my honest opinions so that will give you many ways and ideas to choose from . Jim
deadendcruizer , I personally think they are a very poor design and I can't see where you will get that much gain and advantage over stock manifolds . I am sure there are some but for that ind of money I don't see it with the money . Sanderson's are a little better flow but not worth the money . Headers are suppose to give you much better flow and gains from the exhaust and for the Y block I don't see the advantage from any of them at all . I have built many engines for performance and the engine is nothing but a bug air pump . The speed of the air that comes into the engine and out the exhaust better be at least equal or better on the exhaust flow or you can't get rid of the air fast enough coming into the engine . That is loss of power bottom line . I just don't see it from the header choices you have to choose from . I wish I could find someone that can make the head plate at a reasonable price . Then I would make shorty headers a lot better than what you have to choose from and they would surely have a much better flow ! Just mu honest opinion from an engine builder and gear head ! Jim
They are decent yes. As far as flow goes, I'm not really sure on the gains. All I know is that they bolt right up and allow me to run true duals. I had many problems trying to fit other clutch linkages and finally just called it quits. Not worth the h***le. They also look better than the stock manifolds. My .02.
Yea anything looks better than rusted cast iron . If you don't have dual manifolds that would be the easiest way out unless you have a set of dual manifolds to use . If you are using a bigger cam and basically a stock Y block then the headers will work fine . If you are running a bigger cam I would consider making a set or paying someone else to make a set for you . BUT for a stock Y block with a 4 bbl , that will be fine and if you get them powder coated that would really look great under the hood ! Jim
Dragonknucks, thanks for the link, I was looking at the other red's headers (the sort of long tube ones). If and when I do get headers, It'll be a toss up, the belond style ones look a lot more "traditional" than the long tube style ones, but I dunno, that cluster of pipe might look rad under an engine bay. Or I can keep my manifolds until they bust and go from there! I think thats cheapest and best for me right now! (maybe... ahah)
If they bust and you want a 2nd pair, let me know. Lol. I have the true duals and the wrap around. Actually, I have a lot of y block parts for no reason. So let me know if you need anything else.
Well Jim I'm not into those headers I'm using for speed or power but they do look nice and as you said - much better than the cast manifolds. If my next project - and investment - includes a Yblock, that other set I got from you will be used. Great thread here - I'm learnin'...learnin'....
I have seen a set of block hugger sbc headers modified to a Y-Block, I think they were in a Thunderbird. I'm not sure but I think they cut off the sbc flanges and welded on Y-Block flanges, the port spacing is very close between the two engines. Take a look at some headers made for a '55 Chevy, I bet they could be modified to work in your '54 Ford. How about this style sold by Speedway on Ebay- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb25a5f6d I personally think that the little log type headers pictured above are a waste of money, they cant flow any better than the stock duel exhaust manifolds.
I agree...Im not gonnaspend $200 or more for a tube version of the stock manifolds i have just so they look better. The sanderson CC11 look like they may be able to be modified to work.. I'll check those speedway ones. John
Here are the sanderson CC11... http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Sanderson-CC11-Small-Block-Chevy-Header-Set.html
The Sanderson C56 for the '55-'57 Chevy looks like it might work also and they are a little longer than the CC11.
Check the cl***ifieds for 55 Chevy headers, I found a couple of used sets for $50. a set. I personally would rather chop up a used set just to see if it will work. I bet you could find more if you search 56, 57, 1955, 1956, 1957 and any other combination you can think of.
Just got back from the GNRS. There's a company (Deeds Engineering) that makes the flanges and all the tubing and bends to make headers. They have them for small block Fords but not y-blocks yet. They are about $45 each. Here's the link. http://deedsengineering.com/header_flanges.html
Or you could just use the 5.0 headers from a Mustang for the flanges and collectors to make the headers and add your own tubing and bends,I have a set in my garage for $40 shipping included.
Thanks for the info but the C56 most likely wont work because of the center block motor mounts and the clutch linkage... Its an odd fit because on the 54 they need to dump ant the back of the block... I have heard about using fender well headers and cutting the inner fender away too. I really appreciate all the in put from all of you... even if its just trouble shooting because there has to be a better way to let these engines breath better Jhn
A set of tri-Y headers for a Y Block is at the top of HAMB parts cl***ifieds for $250 at this moment.
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