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Author
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Topic: '72 Torino, 351W w/ C6 headers
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DutchD58
Gearhead Posts: 142
From: West Milton, OH
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 02-26-2005 09:44 PM
 
Been on this quest for a while now, just like several other guys. It's just not a very easy combo to get headers for! Was considering doing the Hooker #6901 swap, but wasn't thrilled about the 1 5/8" primaries. After a lot of looking and asking questions, I've finally decided to try my luck with a set of 1 5/8" > 1 3/4" stepped headers from FPA. Originally designed to fit '67-'73 Mustangs/Cougars (they were mocked-up in a '68 Mustang with a 351W/C6 combo), they say they've had excellent results with them in earlier Fairlanes and Torinos. They're supplying them "raw", as opposed to their standard chrome finish, so that I can make fitment changes if need be, and they'll get "Jet-Hot" coated after I have a chance to make sure they'll work. Stan (the owner) also told me that if they absolutely will not work, just pay the return shipping and he'll gladly refund my money. Just don't see how I can beat that.
Anyway, I've been really looking at the pics they have posted (and my engine bay) and I'm really not too concerned! Though they're not a true equal-length "tuned" header, they are full length and FPA has had excellent dyno results with them. As I see it, by virtue of not being so convoluted to attain equal length they should take up less space, not have as many interference issues and beat the absolute hell out of the 1 5/8" Hedman shorties that are on my car right now. Also, I'm getting them with the standard ball/socket collectors which I'm told allows for up to 15 degrees of deflection at the joint to help with routing the exhaust. Keep ya posted! Kevin http://www.fordpowertrain.com/Headers.htm http://www.fordpowertrain.com/351_w_dart_and_std.htm
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Lightning Fast Fords
Gearhead Posts: 147
From: Charlotte , N.C. USA
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 02-26-2005 10:55 PM
Kevin, If worst comes to worst. I would suggest a set of 351C 4V Shorty Headers from Sanderson Headers. These folks specialize in retro-fitiing and they are an absolute charm to work with. I have a hybrid project with a 1968 Torino GT Fastback...with a 4V 351C dropped in , also bolted up to a C6. Sanderson was able to hook me up with an alike guarantee on fit or return. Try www.sanderson.com They are located in the San Fransico area. Good Luck my fellow Torino friend. Allen ------------------
2000 Crown Victoria (Performance and Handling Package. 1994 SVT Ford F-150 Lightning 1988 Turbo Coupe Thunderbird (5-Speed) 1988 Crown Victoria Police Package (Modified to the max) 1968 Torino GT (Fastback) 351C 4V with B&M C6 Tranny
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Dubz
Gearhead Posts: 2005
From: Manitoba Canada
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 02-27-2005 02:39 AM
Allen, he was talking of the 351W not C. Nobody seems to make anything that fits the W and a c6 in the torino body. I too have been looking for ages for my 74, and the guy who made the torinos for the s&h movie said that the hooker 6901 was what he used, i've yet to pick up a set though.Let me know how the FPA ones work 
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DutchD58
Gearhead Posts: 142
From: West Milton, OH
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 02-27-2005 11:24 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Dubz:
I too have been looking for ages for my 74, and the guy who made the torinos for the s&h movie said that the hooker 6901 was what he used, i've yet to pick up a set though.Let me know how the FPA ones work
Dubz, I was thinkin' about you when I posted this. I e-mailed that same fella about the 6901's, too. The only answer he gave me was that any decent muffler shop could make them work for me. Between that cryptic little comment and some input from another guy, I'm pretty sure that the most it would involve with the Hookers is some trimming and slight offset of the collectors. Everything else would appear to be fine. Only thing is.... you're still stuck with an 1 5/8" primary. Not the end of the world by any means, and if by some chance these FPA headers don't work, I may yet have to go that route. Just hoping for the best right now.
As far as cost, the Hookers can be had for $150, or so. Maybe cheaper for a set off of Ebay. Then possibly some money to get them tweaked to work. On top of that, if you want them to last a good long time, another $279 plus S&H for the Jet-Hot coating. So you're knocking on the door of $500 before it's all said and done, IF you go the whole nine yards. The FPA headers, provided they fit and you got them with the standard chrome finish, are $489 (incl S&H) to your door. And THAT'S with the larger tubes!! Lots to consider, Dubz. And no it's NOT "cheap" EITHER way, but I think the FPA's would be a great bargain when you compare the two alternatives, side by side. Now let's just hope they fit as well as I think they might, and maybe we'll BOTH be in business!! Kevin
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Lightning Fast Fords
Gearhead Posts: 147
From: Charlotte , N.C. USA
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 02-27-2005 08:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Dubz:
Allen, he was talking of the 351W not C. Nobody seems to make anything that fits the W and a c6 in the torino body. I too have been looking for ages for my 74, and the guy who made the torinos for the s&h movie said that the hooker 6901 was what he used, i've yet to pick up a set though.Let me know how the FPA ones work
Dubz, Regardless of it being a 351W , 351C or any other combination you can invision. Sanderson Headers can custom build you a set of either long or short tube headers to suit a need. This is the thing about non-standard configurations...if it isn't something off the rack like you see with most Mustang combinations..you have to step up to another level to make the non-standard work. Sanderson specializes in the oddball options that people come up with...and they do it rather well. ------------------
2000 Crown Victoria (Performance and Handling Package. 1994 SVT Ford F-150 Lightning 1988 Turbo Coupe Thunderbird (5-Speed) 1988 Crown Victoria Police Package (Modified to the max) 1968 Torino GT (Fastback) 351C 4V with B&M C6 Tranny
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Thud
Gearhead Posts: 1407
From: Cumming,Ga.,USofA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-28-2005 08:41 AM
oops.... should have read closer...Never mind... ------------------
"I only drink to steady my nerves. Sometimes I'm so steady I don't move for months." - W.C. Fields - To do is to be. -Descartes
To be is to do. -Voltaire
Do be do be do. -Frank Sinatra Dwayne M&M Member #18
Son of Smurf
'94 Lightning #942 of 4007
'67 Mustang Coupe
'70 Mach1
'75 Cougar
'65 Galaxie 500 + parts car [This message has been edited by Thud (edited 02-28-2005).]
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DutchD58
Gearhead Posts: 142
From: West Milton, OH
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 03-19-2005 08:15 PM
The FPA headers showed up Thursday just before I went to work!! Just let me say that these things are absolutely beautiful! Even in the "raw" state, they're just sweet... and sturdily made, too. After Jet-Hot gets done with them, they should last forever.
The passenger side should be a snap, but I'm keeping my eyes open on the drivers' side. It's gonna be close! LOL!! Talked with Stan Johnson (owner) at FPA and he gave me a number of installation tips as possible "heads-up", just in case. Nothing out of the ordinary. So if all goes well, tomorrow I hope to get started putting them on for a mock-up.
Also, for what it's worth, included with the headers were the gaskets, collector > exhaust adapters (ball & socket) and all the collector and exhaust bolts! Just a great deal.
Keep ya posted. Kevin
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'73 Gran Torino Sportsroof
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Dubz
Gearhead Posts: 2005
From: Manitoba Canada
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 03-22-2005 03:49 AM
Once you take the stock manifolds off, can you get them to go back on ok? Just wondering, as i need some head work done, and i might need to be making the decision of which header to go with sooner if the stock peices wouldn't work again.
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-22-2005 10:23 AM
quote:
Originally posted by DutchD58:
The FPA headers showed up Thursday just before I went to work!! Just let me say that these things are absolutely beautiful! Even in the "raw" state, they're just sweet... and sturdily made, too. After Jet-Hot gets done with them, they should last forever.
The passenger side should be a snap, but I'm keeping my eyes open on the drivers' side. It's gonna be close! LOL!! Talked with Stan Johnson (owner) at FPA and he gave me a number of installation tips as possible "heads-up", just in case. Nothing out of the ordinary. So if all goes well, tomorrow I hope to get started putting them on for a mock-up.
Also, for what it's worth, included with the headers were the gaskets, collector > exhaust adapters (ball & socket) and all the collector and exhaust bolts! Just a great deal.
Keep ya posted. Kevin
Don't count on the Jet Hot lasting over a year much less forever.
I would look for a different coater.
Two sets of our Jet Hot coated headers (high buck) are being re-plated as I write this.
What Jet Hot once was, they are no more.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First SS/MA in the TENS!
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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DutchD58
Gearhead Posts: 142
From: West Milton, OH
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 04-23-2005 01:26 AM
Got the FPA headers back from Jet-Hot yesterday. Wow! Hope to get 'em in and buttoned-up for good this weekend.
On the trial fit, a week or so ago, the passenger side went in from the top with no probs and cleared everything with no sweat. Even have plenty of room at the starter (it IS a mini, by the way). The driver's side had to go in from the bottom with the engine raised up off of the mounts, but again... no interference anywhere! The only "tight" spot was at the steering box where one tube cleared with only 1/8" or so to spare, but the motor torques away from that side so no biggie! Everything clears! Even cycled the steering to full left lock, just to be sure...beautiful! The collectors terminate halfway back the pan on the C6 and there's enough room to get my fist between them and the pan. The collectors are tucked up tight, and when viewed from the side, looking in dead-nuts level with the bottom of the rockers, you can MAYBE see 3/4" of the bottoms. While the collectors are shorter than some, with the ball/socket arrangement, there is plenty of space to route the exhaust through the tranny crossmember humps with no probs. All in all, if I hadn't known any different, I'd have sworn these things were made specifically for this chassis. Alex, as far as the Jet-Hot was concerned, for no more miles than the car will see a year (and garaged at that), I'm fairly confident that they should be around for a hell of a long time. If I do have a problem with the coating though, well, then we'll see how good their warranty is. Kevin
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DutchD58
Gearhead Posts: 142
From: West Milton, OH
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 05-30-2005 12:00 AM
Well, finally got it started today and took it out for the first time. Don't know if it's the 3" pipes, the X-pipe, the Aerochambers..... or all of the above.... but the exhaust note is one of the coolest things I've ever heard! At idle it has a definite bass note to it. It just rumbles like no tomorrow. Inside and out. At speed, with the throttle feathered, it's genuinely quiet enough to hold a civilized conversation with no strain whatsoever. And NO friggin' Flowmaster drone. BUT, when you get into it, it has a sound that I can only describe as a muted primal scream! It is absolutely perfect!
The Bigs 750DP carb was spot on right out of the box. The only time I even touched it was to reset the idle after I backed the timing down a tad. I tweeked the primary mixture a bit, but not enough to really mention otherwise. Haven't nailed it from a dead stop yet (want to enjoy it a little before I try to break anything ), but from an 1800-2000 roll where the cam comes in, it just flat explodes! I start to pick up a slight miss after 5600, but that's the ignition. The Duraspark distributor and box are gonna give way to an MSD system this winter.
As far as possible loss of bottom end torque due to the 3" pipes.... I don't know what other peoples' experiences have been, but in my particular case, all I can say is that this thing flat rocks! LOL!! It could stand a little more gear (3.89's ??) to make better use of the cam and a better ignition, but other than that, it's a blast.
Kevin
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Dubz
Gearhead Posts: 2005
From: Manitoba Canada
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 05-30-2005 01:48 AM
Sounds perfect to me Congrats
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