8 bolt headers for a 66 Fairlane FE

[Mike_R_SCJ]

Hey guys, I am new to the forum and this is my first question. My brother and I are about to build a 66 Fairlane with an FE.

I am wanting to know which headers we can run if it has the 8 bolt exhaust flange?

Thanks,
Mike

[thatdarncat]

To best answer the question we need to know exactly which heads you have, aftermarket or Ford cast iron, and if Ford which casting number. Exhaust port location varies. Also need to know intended use - cruising or all out race?

[TorinoBP88]

You can get headers made with either flange, 8 bolt, 14 bolt or 16 bolt.  The 8 and 16 will 'sometimes' interchange, but the 14 bolts to not mix with the others. I say sometimes on the 8 to 16 because there are several different locations and sizes of exhaust ports, and sometimes they will not seal to the header hole.  The bottom bolts are not fun to get to.

[Mike_R_SCJ]

The heads are C4AE 6090G. The intended use will be street and strip. Probably looking at a 445+ ci with 500 to maybe 550 hp.

I thought I saw someplace that the hooker headers would not work with the 8 bolt heads.

We had a 66 Fairlane back in the 1980s with 428cj heads, with hooker headers, and it was quite a pain to deal with the headers. It would be nice to have some headers that would work with the 8 bolt heads and possibly be a little bit easier to install. But I also know some of the choices may not mix well with trying to go over 500 hp.

[jayb]

I think any available set of headers will allow you to get to 550 HP, assuming the other parts of the combination are up to it.  And I also think that any set of headers is going to be a pain to install    Hooker headers should work just fine with the 8 bolt heads, I don't know why someone would say that they don't.  I think FPA headers will also work.  The FPA headers will give you better ground clearance.

[Nightmist66]

I've heard good things about the FPA's and the REF's. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with my old Headers by Ed. Not much fun at all. Using them on 14 bolt heads too. The only thing I like about em is the look of spaghetti under the car.

[Mike_R_SCJ]

Good deal. Thanks guys! Also Jay, I discovered your intake camparo book and I've been studying it. That's some great info! I've dealt a lot with 385 series engines over the years, but only have a little experience with FEs. But I am extremely excited to build one. I'm reading everything I can right now.

Right now the combo we are thinking of is something like this:

445ci stroker (or bigger if we get a 427 block)
MR Tunnel Wedge 2x4 intake with two 600 or 660 Holleys
11 to 1 compression (depending on a lot of variables)
C4AE heads with either 2.09 or 2.15 intake valves and 1.66 exhaust
Heads ported by me (I've done quite a bit of head porting over the years)
Solid flat tappet cam 250 to 260ish duration @.050" & .620"ish lift 108 lsa

This will be going in a 66 Fairlane replica of a factory 427 car. This car is for my brother. He had a 66 Fairlane with a 428 cj back in the 1980s and it's the reason I got hooked on muscle cars. He had to sell it several years ago and has always wanted a Fairlane again.

[Mike_R_SCJ]

Nightmist66, that is a sharp looking Fairlane. I like it!

I guess we'll just keep an eye out for some headers that we like. I'll definitely check into the FPA headers. I also noticed Crites sells some, but I'm not sure on the quality of them.

[Nightmist66]

Thanks.

I hope you start a thread in the member's projects with lots of pictures.

[thatdarncat]

The Hooker Super Comp's #6113 will work with the 8 bolt heads, I used to run a set on both a '66 Cyclone and then my '68 Torino with CJ heads. A couple upper bolts may be close to the shock towers, but they worked. Many racers have been switching to the REF headers ( from Kingman Arizona ). I have a set, but they are for my '67 Cougar so I can't comment on how their Fairlane headers fit, but I would guess well. The REF's are known for NOT hanging low. They will most likely have individual tubes to aid installation. They are custom made, so they will work with you on whether you want step headers and tube size, etc. They are not cheap though.

[manofmerc]

Don't forget hedman and Dougs both have a set of headers available for your fairlane .On summits web site the Dougs are easy to find you need the # for the hedman set.85120 is the number.I have a really old set of hedmans on my 66 cyclone they fit good .Both headers I mentioned are reasonable in price .Doug

[Mike_R_SCJ]

Don't forget hedman and Dougs both have a set of headers available for your fairlane .

Interesting... I just looked up the Doug's headers and they look totally identical to the Hooker headers only slightly cheaper. Makes me wonder if they both come from the same factory.

[cammerfe]

Back in '68 I put a 427 in my '67 XR7GT. I used, I think, a set of Doug's. We cut off the flanges and replaced them with 8-bolt flanges. They were a PIA to deal with.

KS