Header question

[Pat86004]

I have run across a set of headers for a 68 ranchero, which i believe was a fairlane body with a 390, I am wondering if they will fit in a 68 cougar, or if they can be made to for without too much issue.

[jayb]

The Fairlane and Cougar engine compartments are significantly different, I doubt that they would fit without a lot of rework...

[Pat86004]

Damn, was hoping. Could have been a significantly less expensive route.

[482supersnake]

Do you know the brand of header? What are the specifics, tube diameter? Some were model specific others were interchangeable between fairlane and mustang platforms.

[Pat86004]

I unfortunately have no clue.

[thatdarncat]

Like 482Supersnake said, some FE headers will fit both the Mustang/Cougar and Fairlane/Comet and some won't. Both are shock tower cars, but like Jay said the engine compartments aren't exactly the same. Also, years ago some of the FE headers would fit shock tower cars with an automatic transmission, but not cars with a manual transmission ( due to clutch linkage interference ). You may just have to try them and see if they fit. It's possible you may find they will work if you modify or relocate some tubes. Look on them close for anything that looks like a part number stamped on them.

[Pat86004]

Thanks guys, I'll probably just let them slip away. It would be a 7 hour round trip of driving to get them.

[Pat86004]

On that note, I'm open to suggestions for what headers will work for anything resembling a reasonable price.

[My427stang]

Which heads are on the Cougar?  Exhaust port location will be the first hurdle. If 390 and unibody heads, the choices are slim without header modification

[Pat86004]

The heads are at the machine shop currently. I can not remember the casting number they are the gt heads though.

[Pat86004]

I do have access to a set of c8ae-h heads. I could pick them up for reasonable price and have those worked instead. If I buy those heads, they come with the headers....so I guess I could see if I could make those headers work

[My427stang]

So C8AE-H are arguably the lowest performing heads on an FE, although in mild applications they do fine.  Very few headers fit them and be prepared that the ones that come with them may not, even if someone used them.

The exhaust port in relation to the bolts is about 1/4 inch lower on C8AE-H heads, so there are gasket sealing issues with a mismatch if it's the more common CJ/early port header design.

Look close, and I would also expect Fairlane headers to NOT fit, although there were some listed in the past, most don't fit both

[Pat86004]

Thanks for the advice guys, I passed on the deal, and am back in the market for headers, and an intake. The last 2 major things I need.