Connecting exhaust system to headers 1973 f250 will 2 1/2" clear the crossmember

[manofmerc]

This is my question do you all think I can run 2 1-2" exhaust pipes from the headers ? It look like it will be close to the transmission cross member .Right now the truck has manifolds and 2 1-4" exhaust kinda close on one side and touching on the other .I am just trying to get my ducks in a row before I install another engine (390) along with these headers I have .It seems 2 1-4 " might be all that will fit unless I perform surgery on that cross member .By the way this truck has a c-6 .I plan to have the exhaust exit at the front of the rear tires .So any thoughts and experience will be appreciated .Doug

[Drew Pojedinec]

Doug I bought some mandrel bends. Had to cut them and reweld, had to do some maneuvering to get past it.

I’ll take pics when I get home. But it can be done.

[RustyCrankshaft]

I've got a 73 F250 camper special 2wd/C6 with both tanks and have 2.5 on it now. The front tank makes it a pain but it'll clear the crossmember. But with the front tank you either have to run outside of the frame or down the right side until by the axle.

Next time around I think I'm going to go to 3.5" oval to make it a cleaner install and not have the exhaust in the way of anything.

[cammerfe]

I'm not sure how much this will help, but the 390 in my '64 Effie/ICB made use of an entire 3" system, from the iron 427 manifolds clear to the rear. But, I DID have it bent to fit. FWIW, I used Bassani mufflers that were three feet long if I included the nipples on both ends. I had to order them special and they ended just in front of the rear pan. The little stub of pipe was just a modest turn-down.

KS

[Rory428]

On my old 74 F350 ramp truck, I had both Hedman and Flow Tech long tube headers, with 2 1/2" exhaust pipes from the headers , to the tailpipes, which dumped at the rear axle. My truck was a NP435 4 speed, and did not have the long gas tank between the driveshaft and frame rails. Not sure if that would make any difference. Over the 26 years I had that truck, 2 different exhaust shops made up the exhaust systems , neither complained about it being any more difficult that any other fab job.

[Heo]

I dont know how it is under a truck like that but.
If you are going to exit in front of rear tire, can
you route the exhaust outside the frame from
headers to the rear wheel?

[JamesonRacing]

I have 3" exhaust on my 66 F250 Camper Special with a mid tank on the left side.

[manofmerc]

Heo I plan to either have a 90-45 degree pipe that turns out to the front of the rear tires .And Drew I intend to use some bends I have and connect them with a crossover pipe I just wanted some advise before I purchase mufflers pipe and such.I wanted some round mufflers and with an internet search found these flowmaster 71419 .It seems a typical oval shaped muffler takes up a lot of room between the frame and drive shaft .I have a cool 390 I built Its a 50 over 352 block from my 66 f250 cleaned up c8 heads a390 crank and rods and a mild mild howards camshaft 490 lift 209 duration .This truck has the first 360 I have ever had .It appears to have been rebuilt and runs pretty good for what it is But it uses a lot of gas and really has no power .This 390 has a bit of compression has been zero decked and should run better than my current 360.Thanks all for your responses! Doug

[RustyCrankshaft]

I dont know how it is under a truck like that but.
If you are going to exit in front of rear tire, can
you route the exhaust outside the frame from
headers to the rear wheel?

If you choose to, there is room to run outside of the frame all the way to the rear axle on most of those trucks. That's the way my 73 2wd was when I got it.

[DuckRyder]

I sure would love to see some pictures of what you guys have done...

About to have to re do mine...