Headers with Shock Tower Mod

[jagman52]

Had to pull the 390 due to broken exhaust manifold bolts. It is shoe-horned in. Don't want to bother with cast manifolds. FPA headers are expensive. Will other headers work if the shock towers are modified? Has anyone done this?

 

[Terry64HT]

I have Ford Power headers on my 64. A bear to install, really tight, but they do work well. I have heard there are other, less expensive ones out there, but I've never seen them. When you look at the cost of trying to make the old cast iron ones work, even the FP ones don't look too bad.
Terryw
64HT

 

[jagman52]

Thanks Terry. I had to pull the engine because the upper bolts twisted off. Thought it would be easier to work on if shock towers were modified. Then other headers might work.

 

[Terry64HT]

I took a couple of photos of the Ford Powertrain headers today. It's pretty tough to get in there with a camera and get anything, but I've attached a couple.
This is the passenger side near the back of the engine, and you can see how little room there is for them. The clearance in some places is no more than 1/4 inch.
Terry