FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: BattlestarGalactic on November 24, 2020, 07:06:36 PM
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If anyone happens to be in the market for a set of FE headers......you are SOL til spring.
I was going to try to fix mine, but said screw it and was going to order new ones. Ha!!! Made the call and was told not til spring. Seems they are onto building small block orders now and won't get back to BB til spring time. They took my number to call when that time gets here.
Looks like I will be fixing my old ones for now. Might build the front tubes from stainless for now, the rear tubes are still useable.
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Does Crites make their headers in house? Mad Dog Headers makes headers similar to Crites but I seem to recall that maybe they are Crites' supplier.
http://maddogheaders.net/products/ford
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Does Crites make their headers in house? Mad Dog Headers makes headers similar to Crites but I seem to recall that maybe they are Crites' supplier.
http://maddogheaders.net/products/ford
I've heard that, too. Regardless, Mad Dog Headers are supposed to be pretty good.... Might want to check with them on availability.
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+1 on Mad Dog . 99% sure he makes them for Crites.
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I’ve Mad Dog headers on my ‘63. They were very easy to deal with, even from where I live. Big difference compared to Crites.
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Guess maybe I will make a call and see what they have in stock.
Thanks.
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I really hate seeing this post it makes me feel worse now .I ordered a set of headers for my 67 comet in September .I was told they would be ready in Oct. It will soon be Dec. no headers .Crites makes their own headers mad dog is their own company .I also called mad dog (they are in Ga.like me )lady said we plan to discontinue the headers you need but let me talk to our header guy .I called again not even a call back. I really wish the big header companies would do something for us ford guys but it just wont happen .My present headers are ok just a bit to rusty and getting thin in places .My problem is no one else makes headers for a comet with 460 power . So I will continue to wait .I wanted to pull my trans. and inspect it and upon installation install my new headers .I don't think so now ,Happy thanksgiving ! Doug
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Doug ,
I may have a set of new 460/66-69 Fairlane - Comet headers. I bought them from Total Performance in MI and am not using them. Where are you located? I'm in So Cal and shipping could be a bit pricey. PM if interested,
Randy
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why don't you seed me a pm with your price just in case .I don't have much confidence in Crites.Sadly I doubt they will get my money back to me any quicker .I want to inspect my c-6 and go back with the new headers at the same time .It doesn't look like that will be happening .Doug
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Well I guess santa has been busy my headers arrived this week three months after my initial contact with Crites .I found what was in my transmission pan it was a piece of cast iron about the size of a pencil lead .Come to find the beveled forward clutch pressure plate had cracked .Lots of work to do now those headers never really fit lot of beating and banging in my future at least I have a good selection of hammers ! Merry Christmas Doug :)
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Glad to hear you got your headers. I guess the galaxie headers are better, I've never had to touch mine.
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Well I guess santa has been busy my headers arrived this week three months after my initial contact with Crites .I found what was in my transmission pan it was a piece of cast iron about the size of a pencil lead .Come to find the beveled forward clutch pressure plate had cracked .Lots of work to do now those headers never really fit lot of beating and banging in my future at least I have a good selection of hammers ! Merry Christmas Doug :)
While you are into the forward clutch replace the Belville spring. That is the spring that works against the pressure plate. Also while you are in there check your clutch clearances, if there is too much clearance the spring will fatigue and crack. Aim for the low to middle clearance spec.
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RJP my clearance was at .046 and my spring looked ok .I am using a Merkl trans brake .On my first pass with it I busted my forward drum this was a couple years ago .Mr.Merkl will tell you to put a wave plate in or upgrade to a steel forward drum that wont break .Well my steel drum hasn't gave any trouble just this pressure plate it has 4-5 years on it .Whenever you get your valve body you get a dyno sheet mine says 195 psi that is probably why this broke .Doug
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Doug, I wasn't sure if you knew your way around a C6. It appears you do so there is not much more I can add.
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You might try Jay Bittle headers out in CA for a set to fit your FE. JBA headers. You just might get lucky. REF headers also. Joe-JDC
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Joe I have the other big block in my comet.It is a 460 with AFR heads that have a 3/8 raised exhaust port .These headers aren't so hard to install but #7 at the steering box is tight #8 at the pitman arm the rest will just need some tweeks.I am afraid one day I wont be able to get any headers for my combo. Crites is the only source .I might hold onto my old rusty ones .Doug
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I have been following this thread and I would like to add some info.
I have been told that Tubular Automotive here in Rockland, MA (was called Tuby Dick's forever) was at one time was a supplier to Crites for their 429/460 swap headers into the 66-69 Fairlane / Falcon chassis.
I believe they were the first to produce that slip fit header application, and that their original design has been copied and manufactured by several other companies since they brought it to market in the early 70's.
They were, and continue to be a relatively small shop that has always been focused on custom built headers for unique one-off applications, not really a high volume manufacturer, and were not able to adequately supply Crites back in that time frame.
I know they were one of the very first suppliers of the Boss 302 & 351c headers to fit into the 65 Mustang chassis with the crossover tubes under the engine.
I have been to their shop at least a dozen times over the years from when I was a kid with my Dad, to a couple years ago, and they were always VERY helpful to us.
Several times I have walked in off the street needing a single piece of tubing or a header reducer, and even searched through their box of "Mistakes" looking for a bend or two.
I would recommend them to anyone.
https://www.tubularautomotive.com/
https://www.tubularautomotive.com/catalog-1
Thanks, Mike H.
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I am pretty sure mad dog made crites at one time he was 20mi from me till he moved south
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You know from my knowledge crites has always made their own headers for some time now at least 20 years .I have been buying headers for this application that long .As far as tubular automotive goes I remember their adds in super ford years ago.No doubt they are good people .Crites has changed some things about these headers .Used to #8 was touching the pitman arm BAD.Not any more #7 still hits the steering box but I expected that and #5 is tight on the oil filter I expected that too.I got them fitted and cleaned up for paint.What I do to paint is first a wipe down with oil and wax remover I then go over them with a new scotch brite pad then I use an etching solution .It is just a mild acid that give metal something for your paint to stick too.The last sets of headers I painted still look pretty good after several years .I gave up on having my headers coated their is a local shop that does a lot of headers for the manufactures .My experience is that coating doesn't last any better than paint .Take them off have them coated again and it is the same thing in a few years only difference from paint is the money you spend . Merry Christmas Doug
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Regarding header coatings, I think much to do with the quality of the job is the people doing the work. I have had several sets of headers done at a couple of different local (at the time) shops. The last 2 sets were done at one shop, a pair of SBF Flowtechs, and the FPAs on my 428 59 Meteor. The Small block headers were done 4 years ago, in the silvery/almost chrome looking finish, 4 years of racing they still look like new. The 59s FPAs were also done about 4 years ago, but sat un used until this past June. Since then I drove the car a little over 2000 miles, and they also look like new. The FPAs were coated in a dark ceramic gray, which they said would be better for lowering underhood temperatures. The FPAs are 1 piece headers, the FlowTechs have a single slip tube. The headers from my FE Fairmont, were custom built by TomP, and have slip on collectors with 8 individual primary tubes. You would thinks with all the separate tubes, that those headers would be able to have the best prep, due to total accesability , but that was not the case. A different company coated those headers, and they showed scratches and rust pitting within a year of racing service. They were also the most expensive set to have coated, due to the multi piece construction, despite the fact that they were coated several years before the other 2 sets.
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Yup, the ones on my wagon were rusting by the second year and that was not on the bottom where they got scraped. One more reason to go SS on the replacements.
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Hey Larry, I am located close to Crite's. I could go down and see what's going on with these headers if you like? I will tell you that in the past, I get poor response from them. Not sure why? Located in primarily a farming community just south of Columbus, Ohio. Very much hit or miss when I send a message or call them.
If you need, I will do. Just let me know?
Brian N
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Thanks Brian. I've been down there a couple times through the years. Right now I am going to just replace my front tubes with SS pipe since I have the tools to do it(and a buddy that is very meticulous with building headers).