Author Topic: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series  (Read 6731 times)

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cjshaker

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #15 on: August 02, 2020, 12:30:42 AM »
I don't see heat being an issue with a starter in a truck unless the headers are unlike any I've seen for Highboys. But if it is, the RobbMC starter is an excellent choice and will eliminate the problem. Is there any way you can post a picture of your headers? I haven't seen any truck headers with the crossover tube, or where the rear tube caused a heat issue with a starter, so I'm curious what yours look like, or who made them.
Doug Smith


'69 R-code Mach 1, 427 MR, 2x4, Jerico, 4.30 Locker
'70 F-350 390
'55 Ford Customline 2dr
'37 Ford Coupe

HarleyJack17

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #16 on: August 03, 2020, 10:40:06 AM »
I am with Doug on the hedder design. None I have seen for a Highboy have the cross tube.  It could be done I guess but there are x-members and trans pan and little room. Would be neat to see what you have.

On the Rob Mc Starter...I have one on mine, with hedders and a Highboy. It is actually longer than an OEM starter...just a hair, less than .125.  Smaller but mainly different just due to design.
I have it clocked as far as I can but it needs to go more. At this point it is only marginally better than the OEM setup in regards to clearance.
However, grinding on the block on the "ear" will allow me to clock it further and then it will be a good distance away from the hedders and much better in that aspect than OEM. In short, some work is required. Very nice unit though and will be nice and tight to the block and away from the Heddman's when I get off my but and get the die grinder out.

BattlestarGalactic

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #17 on: August 03, 2020, 01:08:17 PM »
I run a stock Azone starter on my '69 f100 for decades.  I finally just replaced the starter last summer after so many years I don't recall when it was done last.  Mine has those typical tight 2wd headers on it and has not caused issues with any starter.  It was starting to crank slow.  The new starter sounds like a gear reduction now compared to the vintage one I replaced.

I just put a RobbMc starter on the wagon.  Fits okay, I have the solenoid clocked downward slightly and works fine.  Though it has only been used a few months now and the car does not get hot at the track.  I ran an Azone starter on it for years also, but with the new motor being 496 ci, it was starting to grunt a bit so I figured I would take the plunge.  I got the starter WITH the nose cone support. Seems the extra $20 is worth it.
Larry

440sixpack

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #18 on: August 03, 2020, 03:08:02 PM »
My headers cross over the front drive shaft and go side by  side down the right side.   the collectors are way below the starter.

I haven't had and starter problems so far I just want to avoid any.  the tubes are all several inches from the starter,  do you think a heat wrap or a mini starter is a good idea  ? or a wrapped mini starter maybe.

Rory428

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #19 on: August 03, 2020, 03:32:21 PM »
If your headers are a couple of inches from the starter, I doubt wrapping the starter with anything would actually accomplish much, but up to you. Like Battlestar, I have always had good luck with the big, factory style starters. The Hedman and FlowTech headers on my old 74 F350s 390 were almost touching the stock starter, ran it like that for over 25 years with no issues. The stock starter on my Fairmonts various FE engines was also almost touching the header tubes, even with close to 12.1 compression, the stock starter and single, trunk mounted battery never caused any issues.Good cables, connections, and grounds eliminate many "starter" concerns. Considering how tight some exhaust manifolds are to the starter, like 428 CJ manifolds, and how much longer the cast iron retains the heat compared to thin steel tubing headers, I would think most headers would make a starters life easier. Especially if the headers are ceramic coated. Considering than most aftermarket mini starters were originally designed to spin over a little 4 cylinder Japanese engine, giving one the task at cranking over a large displacement, high compression V8, seems to be asking a lot.
1978 Fairmont,FE 427 with 428 crank, 4 speed Jerico best of 9.972@132.54MPH 1.29 60 foot
1985 Mustang HB 331 SB Ford, 4 speed Jerico, best of 10.29@128 MPH 1.40 60 foot.
1974 F350 race car hauler 390 NP435 4 speed
1959 Ford Meteor 2 dr sedan. 428 Cobra Jet, 4 speed Toploader. 12.54@ 108 MPH

HarleyJack17

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #20 on: August 03, 2020, 04:16:22 PM »
Yeah my starter was basically contacting the hedders...very close. BUT I never had an issue with it. Simply went with a Rob Mc due to a change up on power levels, cleanliness, and hopes it would go on with out removing headers and lifting the motor. Pretty certain at this point it will not, not with these hedders(Heddman 4x4 #89120). It will be plenty far enough away from heat once I can clock it better.  Had I known it would not save me the pain on replacement I likely would have went back OEM.
I will say previously I wrapped the tube that was essentially touching the starter. I see no downfall to that. I was worried that mud and water etc. would have a negative impact on a wrapped tube, found when I redid the hedders that tube was actually in better shape than the rest, go figure.  I think you will be fine if you are concerned with just wrapping the hedder. My down tubes are what is close to mine, not the collector.  Sounds like you have Thorley Hedders or some custom type. Took some doing to route that cross over.  I have been studying on how to do an H-Pipe exhaust on mine when I get to buttoning mine up...not a lot of room with 3 drive shafts, large t-case, x-members, E-brake cables, and a narrow frame.  I feel it can be done but I do not think it will look clean and be tucked up and safe as I would like.  Good luck, still would like to see some pics of the setup.

cjshaker

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #21 on: August 04, 2020, 07:28:15 AM »
My headers cross over the front drive shaft and go side by  side down the right side.   the collectors are way below the starter.

I haven't had and starter problems so far I just want to avoid any.  the tubes are all several inches from the starter,  do you think a heat wrap or a mini starter is a good idea  ? or a wrapped mini starter maybe.

That is a very very ODD design for any Ford truck header! I have never seen, and see no need for, the left header tubes to cross over and go down the right side. Even on a Highboy. I'm not even sure what they were thinking in building them that way. If they seemed to be an issue, I'd ditch that design for a conventional header that goes down each side.

I too ran a stock starter for over 23 years on my Highboy, and over 15 years on my Mach 1. Never had an issue. It wasn't until running in Drag Week, where I was running 55mph for hours on end, with 4.30 gearing, that the heat started to take a toll on the starter. And that was only an issue on quick fuel stops. If I let it sit for 15-20 minutes, it would start without issue, but sitting for 20 minutes after every fuel-up was not something I was keen on. Connections and grounds were not the issue in my case, it was simple heat saturation in the windings, which increases resistance. And I am still using the same battery that I had before the switch, with zero issues.

Rory, I can assure you that the RobbMc starter is indeed better at cranking over a hot, high compression FE than any standard starter. Lots of guys using them can attest to that. The standard OEM style starter is still a good design; I still use one in my F-350, pulling a 9000+ lb trailer non-stop for over 8 hours (possible with a 120 gallon fuel reserve...lol), but the headers in that truck don't hug the starter that close. Nothing like a Mustang, for sure. I think the OP will be fine with a standard starter.
Doug Smith


'69 R-code Mach 1, 427 MR, 2x4, Jerico, 4.30 Locker
'70 F-350 390
'55 Ford Customline 2dr
'37 Ford Coupe

440sixpack

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #22 on: August 05, 2020, 09:56:48 PM »
Since the high boy had a divorced transfer case and a very long drive shaft coming forward that moves up and down with the front axle on the left side  it's not possible to run a pipe in that space.  they are an odd design but really don't seem to be anymore trouble than any other header I've run.

I left the rubber splash shields off the inner fender to allow more air  around  the starter.  you can see the starter through the hole so hopefully  I can find some black wrap of some kids for the header tubes.  it would look awful to see silver there.

 

cjshaker

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #23 on: August 06, 2020, 07:24:39 AM »
Since the high boy had a divorced transfer case and a very long drive shaft coming forward that moves up and down with the front axle on the left side  it's not possible to run a pipe in that space.

My '68 Highboy has a New Process divorced transfer case and Dana front axle, same as your '76, and all the headers for it are side run. You have to make a fairly tight jog on the exhaust pipe to get around the transfer case, but that is how all headers for Highboys run, that I've seen anyway. Your headers are definitely different from anything normal.
Doug Smith


'69 R-code Mach 1, 427 MR, 2x4, Jerico, 4.30 Locker
'70 F-350 390
'55 Ford Customline 2dr
'37 Ford Coupe

My427stang

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #24 on: August 06, 2020, 04:21:46 PM »
Mines a 1/2 ton, and I run dual 3 inch down the passenger frame.  I'd like to see those headers, would be cool if the header went that direction to help the initial bend
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- 71 F100 shortbed 4x4, 461 cid FE, headers, Victor Pro-flo EFI, Comp Custom HFT cam, 3.50 9 inch

440sixpack

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #25 on: August 06, 2020, 06:01:27 PM »
It's in the final stages of being repainted so it's still at the paint shop or I'd take pictures.   they're really pretty simple the left one just comes over to the right side under the bellhousing.  both collectors are side by side at the bottom pointed directly rearward.  like any standard headers.

They do hang down a bit , not a problem on a 4x4 but on a 2wd it would be about as low as you'd want and still have any ground clearance.

ROBSREDFORD

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #26 on: September 05, 2020, 05:23:37 PM »
FWIW- I have run the 406 shorties since 1985, had to notch frame on passenger side, I haven’t had to worry bout rusting out but I have had them blow out seal at pipe a few times... mine is 2wd... for those reading this thread if you recall the 2wd headers did phenomenal in jays testing but that company quit making them... I called they said just dropped the product ... no one bought them out... I’d like to put a good set of headers on mine ...but don’t know what brand for 2wd... any suggestions?

Joey120373

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #27 on: September 06, 2020, 06:45:49 AM »
I also have a 71 camper special (2wd).

As near as I can tell, there are several options for headers, but all have a 1.75 tube.
Now that would be perfectly fine, but one of these days, hopefully soon, I’ll be dropping a fairly grunty 520 in there.

I would like at least to try a bigger tube.
Mad dog headers makes several passenger car headers with a 2 inch tube, but nothing for the FE F100-250.
So I got to wondering if one of the passenger car headers would fit, or could be made to fit with a little love?

bluef100fe

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #28 on: September 07, 2020, 02:17:04 PM »
I have a set of shorty 406 headers installed on our 74ish stock class pull truck, frame massage required on passenger side for header outlet... on my drag truck I bought a speedway Motors header kit 2” with 3.5” collector... it had enough bends to fit the truck, stock starter or ebay planetary mini work just fine on my truck with the 13:1 520 inch deal.


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Cody Ladowski
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69 crewcab

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Re: FE Exhaust Manifolds For The F Series
« Reply #29 on: September 07, 2020, 04:30:09 PM »
Not to Hijack the thread but - This post is in response to a post by HarleyJack17    I am building a 69 highboy crewcab with a 505 FE . Headers are ceramic coated Sanderson highboy headers with 428CJ bolt pattern 1-3/4 primary with 3" collector. I got a Flowmaster U-Fit kit and ran dual 3" pipes all the way back with a 2-1/2 H pipe crossover
  I have been studying on how to do an H-Pipe exhaust on mine when I get to buttoning mine up...not a lot of room with 3 drive shafts, large t-case, x-members, E-brake cables, and a narrow frame.  I feel it can be done but I do not think it will look clean and be tucked up and safe as I would like.  Good luck, still would like to see some pics of the setup.
I can post some pics if anyone or HarleyJack is interested