I was thinking about upgrading to headers, and am being told by more than a few people that it's not worth it for various reasons.
I am running a 6.4L 390 with stock exhaust manifolds with a 2 barrel rebuilt Motorcraft carb. Thinking about adding Hedman Elite Heavy-Duty Headers 89830 with dual exhaust built out by a local outfit.
One person told me that carb can't handle that setup. Another told me that all headers do is leak all over the place and cause other problems.
Pros/Cons? Worth it?
Thoughts?
Thank you guys!

 

Headers are great for helping your engine breath. The better it breaths the more power you get. However, with a 2BBL it would not help at all. You would need to go to a 4BBL carb 650 or higher and dual exhaust to notice a power increase.

If you're planning to upgrade keep in mind that the way your engine is set up now is good but, you can always do better.

 

To state "it would not help at all" is inaccurate.

There is a marginal increase in power by going to headers and dual exhaust.... even with a 2V. However, the full benefit of the upgrade will be realized by swapping to a 4V intake and carb.

The "less headache" route for FE headers is Sanderson PN FF427.. they are of mid-length design and do no require jacking up the passenger side for installation.... Plus the exhaust fabricator has more flexibility to contour the collector tubes.. that is unlike long-tubes whose tubing centerline will point directly towards the crossmember. Lastly, the mid-length design does not trap the OE starter which, if it goes bad, requires that the passenger-side header be disconnected from the head.

In terms of leaky installation, that issue is more often than not a result of cheap headers with thin flanges, uneven exhaust port surfaces, failing to properly prepare the mounting surfaces, or inferior gaskets.

Whatever you decide, opt for headers with the thickest flanges and tubing that fits within your budget... remember, you get what you pay for. Spending a bit more now can save time and frustration down the road.

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I have been researching inexpensive headers for my 390. I found some on eBay I'm going too buy one of these days. They are 180 bucks. Stainless steel short headers. They have 3/8 flanges if I remember right. And 16 gauge tubes. I think they look good and for the price even better. I'm not sure if short headers are as good as long tube headers on performance enhancing still gotta research that part

 

Your right about the short headers Hio Silver; they would be a better application. How every with the 2V the engine would not pull in enough air for the headers to make much of a difference. The 390 has tons of power to be had. Just needs upgrades to pull it out.

 

I think that is more the crux of the issue. Is that I will have to upgrade the top end first before I think about building down the headers/exhaust.
Probably have to go Edelbrock intake/4bbl carb combo first. Lots of money, but in the end worth it I think. Sigh.

 

Do the exhaust first.... it is the foundation upon which subsequent upgrades are built upon.

A 4V carb and intake sounds and looks good bench racing but you'll be leaving lots of HP/TQ all corked up until the exhaust is addressed. The PO of my 73 did just that.. I got the truck with still in the box headers in the bed... I installed them and fabbed up a dual 2.5-inch mandrel bent tubing and the power increase was amazing according to my butt dyno.

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if i remember right, the headman elites and the sanderson headers are about the same price. long tube have the potential for making more power over shorties but the increase is only about 10hp and i agree with HIO Silver the sanderson do look like they go in easier( i think he has them on his lbb, and i have never used them but seen them installed)

 

I have the elites and like them so far. I couldn't find anything to complain about during installation. The ball and socket flange was one of the main reasons I chose them. Normal flange type seem to be a pain after time.

 

Thank you guys.
Well, the exhaust needs to be done at this point, it is deteriorating. If I am going to have my exhaust built by a shop, do you guys suggest that I go ahead and install the headers at the same time? If not it will just be duals coming off of the stock manifolds and then obviously won't fit the headers down the road. I am also thinking about paint at this point, which is a whole different topic.
I guess my question is this: If I go ahead and install headers and dual exhaust, wait on the intake and 4bbl because of money issues, will my stock 2bbl set up be able to handle that exhaust? Will there be issues with that 2bbl sucking enough air? HioSilver you were stating that while I won't notice any power gains without the intake upgrade that I should be fine doing that for now? I just can't have any performance problems happening because this is my daily driver. I also noticed the Sandersons are cheaper(by almost 200 dollars) for the shorty headers but also thinner gauge primary.

 

That is NOT what I stated.

I said the full benefit of a 4V carb and intake upgrade will not be realized unless the exhaust is upgraded first.

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Thank you for the correction.
If I do this upgrade to the exhaust, though, will it be okay to leave it alone with the 2bbl setup for a bit until I can afford the intake/4bbl?

 

The single biggest problem with the FE engine is the exhaust - unless you have one of those super rare SCJ cast iron exhaust manifolds. Most of us with cast iron have the "log" type manifold and it is terrible. Go for the headers but realize that although you will like the result for a good while, you will eventually want more. Welcome to the slippery slopes of horsepower canyon.

 

Yes. It'll be fine.

 

Haha I like that, the "horsepower canyon".

One last super ignorant question. If I buy the Edelbrock intake, it is in theory going to fit my stock heads, correct? Or am I entering another slippery slope of ending up having to re-do my whole engine? I am ordering the headers in the next couple days and then I will build the exhaust out. I thank you for your patience with my inexperience.
And paint is happening as well, and I will share pics sometime down the road and I think you guys will appreciate what I am trying to do here. And you guys are a part of this build as well! I will reveal the new girl at the end of the month along with the story.
Thanks!