Is this going to fit?

STR864 · 04-29-2003, 08:53 AM

Is a 302 with the stock ford headers or shorties going to fit into a 65 Ford mustang?? A guy at a Mustang Shop told me that I would have to buy tri Y headers to fit the motor into my car..he said if I keep the headers or go with shorties then the motor was going to be too wide...what you guys think?

Jeff65 · 04-29-2003, 03:04 PM

302 with stock heads (rectangular exhaust ports) sized similar to your stock manifolds will be okay. Tri-Y's are not mandatory but are a nice performance boost.

Shorties are a different story. Some will fit and some may not. Some will fit with automatics but not fit manual transmissions due to the z-bar clutch linkage. With shorties, its best to check the manufacturers literature AND check here for public opinion about a particular manufacturer, model and what its to be installed on. Power steering can also make a difference. Motor mounts can make a difference.

Frankenstang65 · 04-30-2003, 04:32 PM

The stock headers on the late model 302 do tend to stick out a little further from the heads than a bunch of other header choices, just because they were designed with a different engine bay in mind. I don't know first-hand whether or not they would fit, but I'm almost positive that they wont. Most (in fact, everyone I've seen) that do the 5.0 swap in the early stangs end up using aftermarket headers because the stock ones are pretty restrictive when it comes to overall flow.

You definitely do not HAVE to go with the try-y's. Hedman, JBA, Hooker, etc, all make headers (both shorty and full length) for the 289/302's that are designed for the early engine bay. And most of them, aren't too bad as far as expense is concerned, the benefits surely outweigh the costs. You'll be limited somewhat by the tranny you are currently running, but nevertheless, there are a TON of options in that department. Pick a set you like and that fit your budget, and keep in mind ground clearence issues if you run full length and plan on dropping the car.

Hopefully that answers your question..good luck with it

04-29-2003, 08:53 AM	#1
STR864 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 34	Is this going to fit? Is a 302 with the stock ford headers or shorties going to fit into a 65 Ford mustang?? A guy at a Mustang Shop told me that I would have to buy tri Y headers to fit the motor into my car..he said if I keep the headers or go with shorties then the motor was going to be too wide...what you guys think?

04-30-2003, 04:32 PM	#3
Frankenstang65 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 79	The stock headers on the late model 302 do tend to stick out a little further from the heads than a bunch of other header choices, just because they were designed with a different engine bay in mind. I don't know first-hand whether or not they would fit, but I'm almost positive that they wont. Most (in fact, everyone I've seen) that do the 5.0 swap in the early stangs end up using aftermarket headers because the stock ones are pretty restrictive when it comes to overall flow. You definitely do not HAVE to go with the try-y's. Hedman, JBA, Hooker, etc, all make headers (both shorty and full length) for the 289/302's that are designed for the early engine bay. And most of them, aren't too bad as far as expense is concerned, the benefits surely outweigh the costs. You'll be limited somewhat by the tranny you are currently running, but nevertheless, there are a TON of options in that department. Pick a set you like and that fit your budget, and keep in mind ground clearence issues if you run full length and plan on dropping the car. Hopefully that answers your question..good luck with it __________________ 1965 Coupe: 351W, comp cam, Aluminum Systemax II heads (2.02/1.60), 1.7 Cobra full roller rockers, Edelbrock intake, Holley 650 double pumper, Mallory Unilite, MSD-6AL, MSD Blaster 2 coil, MSD heli-core plug wires, Hedman headers, 2 1/2" exhaust (GT style) w/ 40 series delta flows, 69 C4 w/ shift kit, shelby traction bars, 3.55:1 rear Daily Driver: 1989 GT- 5spd, K&N (no silencer), Shorty Headers, King Cobra Clutch, Flowmaster Force II Cat-back

04-29-2003, 03:04 PM	#2
Jeff65 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 208	302 with stock heads (rectangular exhaust ports) sized similar to your stock manifolds will be okay. Tri-Y's are not mandatory but are a nice performance boost. Shorties are a different story. Some will fit and some may not. Some will fit with automatics but not fit manual transmissions due to the z-bar clutch linkage. With shorties, its best to check the manufacturers literature AND check here for public opinion about a particular manufacturer, model and what its to be installed on. Power steering can also make a difference. Motor mounts can make a difference.