Tube headers for 63-64 Galaxie?

[GJCAT427]

A while back some one posted a picture of a tube header next to a stock long cast header. They looked alike. Can some one repost that picture and who made(makes) them?

[Drew Pojedinec]

I don't have a pic of them next to each other, but I think the FPA headers are pretty close:

IMG_1492 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr

IMG_1493 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr


Required a little grinding on the passenger side upper A-arm, and some other minor fitment stuff, but otherwise they've been great.

[BattlestarGalactic]

Ya, I'd say those Tri Y design duplicates the cast iron factory versions.  It's only missing like 50# of cast iron LOL!!

[TomP]

Those look good, looks like 2" primary tubes.

[GJCAT427]

Drew, those look like the ones I`m remembering. That sure would save some weight on the front.

[GJCAT427]

Went to FPA website but couldn`t find any pricing. Drew what did yours run if I may ask? And did the clutch linkage need modifying?

[BruceS]

My FPAs knocked the heck out of $1000. delivered to my door in SE Tx. 

[Drew Pojedinec]

Went to FPA website but couldn`t find any pricing. Drew what did yours run if I may ask? And did the clutch linkage need modifying?

Yeah, they retail for $1000.
I got stupendously lucky, just when I got to the place in my build where I needed headers, I looked on ebay and a fella had a set for sale.  He had test fit them but had rack and pinion steering and they wouldn't work.  I bought them $500 shipped with a few scratches. 

They have held up very well, I didn't have a break in stand or anything, so I dulled the ceramic coating pretty badly while breaking the cam in (I knew I would), but otherwise they work great.  As stated, a lil trim on the upper a-arm, and that is about all I needed to do to get them to work for me.  I'd buy them again if I needed to.
I do not have a clutch linkage, as I run a c6, and have a cable driven shifter, so I cannot comment on that.

My whole engine build was pretty lucky like that... every time I needed something, one popped up for a reasonable price just when I needed it and I happened to have the money.
Guess that is why I was smiling (probably as close as it gets to a smile anyway)

BT intake by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr

[Drew Pojedinec]

Went to FPA website but couldn`t find any pricing. Drew what did yours run if I may ask? And did the clutch linkage need modifying?

If you need any pictures of them installed, let me know tonight or tomorrow as I ship out Thursday 0200.  I know I don't have a clutch or the linkage, but maybe it'll help anyway.

[GJCAT427]

Drew, some installed pictures would be nice. Right now my 63 has the cast long tubes in there and I had a little trouble with the clutch linkage, but I got it to work. The new motor is a tunnel port with one of Jays adapters and a aluminum sheet metal top I built. Going to put a Lakewood bell in.  Thanks Garry

[chilly460]

I have FPAs in a ‘63 Merc, no issues with stock clutch linkage

[Drew Pojedinec]

I'm sure Chilly's input is all you needed, but I took some pics anyway.

IMG_1738 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr

IMG_1739 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr

IMG_1740 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr

IMG_1741 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr

IMG_1742 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr

IMG_1743 by Drew Pojedinec, on Flickr


I remember now, it was where the A-arm stud went on the passenger side that I needed to trim.

I also zip tied these headers in place when I installed the engine, so I can't comment on how hard it would be to remove or install with the engine in place.

[GJCAT427]

Thanks Drew. After looking at your pictures I seem to remember some grinding on the upper Arms on mine. The cast headers fit very close and I have in all the years I`ve owned it, never got the front aligned!  I did put a tie bar in to keep it from wallowing in the corners. This stiffened the front up a lot. I`ll study your pictures and figure if I want to go to headers. Thanks again Garry

[Drew Pojedinec]

Seems like with these cars ya just get the best you can.  Mine drives fine despite the alignment guy having a fit over the thunderbird spindles throwing stuff off.
*shrugs*
Works well enough, but I drive an 76F100 as a daily, so I'm used to a slightly more vague steering.

[BattlestarGalactic]

Drew, do you have '77 Tbird brakes on it?  My wagon goes dead straight at 120 mph without issue and NEVER been aligned and still all original front end parts.

I just put all that Tbird stuff on the black car, though it has all new parts and been aligned a few times previously.   Though I'm not real happy with the job done in the past I'm not taking it anywhere.  I'll use a string and some 2x4" on the ground to check the alignment.