header help!!!

[bmxmon]

I cannot get the left side header in!!! Just put the 302 in my 65 mustang. The headers are hedman headers, full length. I have tried jacking it up really high, and going from the bottom, didnt work. Right now, i have the engine mounts loosened a bit, and raised the engine up on that side, but still no luck. Any ideas? It hits the steering (manual) pump/shaft, and also the firewall. Its also a manual transmission, but the linkage is pretty much out of the way. Would it be worth it to take out the steering stuff?? Or would that thow off my alingment?? thanks for any advice.

[Fat0eknee]

i dont know what to say but just be patient - a lot of times after something is not going right you get frustrated ...i installed some JBA midlengths in mine and there was one bolt on each side that was giving me a hard time and after working on cars for a while i decided to just quit and work on it the next day, turns out when i get out there the next day somehow i magically get them both in with no trouble (driver side i had to go in from the bottom) but yeah man i wish you luck with those

[bmxmon]

Thanks, I almost got it in! My stepdad started helping me out, we cocked the engine, and got it all the way up, it just needed to go backwards, but it was hitting the clutch fork. I think on thursday, when i get to work on it again, I will drop the trans out, and try to wrap the header around the trans fork and then instal the header and trans at the same time. I also wacked my head hard on the trans or something else, and cut it a bit, which didnt seem to help my patience!!
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I took out the cross member from under the engine, because the oil pan was hitting it. (the big, round cross member) This shouldnt matter, for its just sitting in the garage at the moment, right?? I am going to try to see if i can get a new one bent by the local muffler shop, one that clears the oil pan. thanks.

[DeltaMustang65]

I've had this problem too. back when i had my hooker full length headers put in, i just took it to a shop because i needed a power steering ram relocation kit. my engine needed to be lifted, etc, etc... i think everyone with a mustang at one point goes through this exact situation. good luck. it'll sound great when you're done.

[bmxmon]

Hey, I need more help. I now have the header in there, but my clutch linkage is all screwed up!! I bought them from jegs, and they said that they would work, with slight modification. Well, the way it looks, is that it would take some major modification. I need to know what to do. Should i buy new headers, or try beating these ones into shape?? Anybody else go through this?? I also looked through the mustangsunlimited catalog, and they have the same headers i have, and they also say with slight modification that they will work. Any thoughts, im stuck, and i need my car running by the 16th. thanks.

[rwhite65]

My car has full length headers on it also. I wish I could tell you the brand, but they are one of the only parts that I actually left on the car that came with it when I bought it. When I added an AOD to the car, they did not clear. Since nobody makes full length headers for this swap and I wanted full length, I put the tranny in anyways.

In my case, I was able to bolt the headers all the way up, then wedge the AOD in.....took it to a local muffler shop and with the use of a torch, and a couple guys pulling and pushing on a 8 foot metal rod, we "customized" them to work pretty good.

I would try this before buying new headers, unless the ones you need are fairly reasonable.
hope this helps,
Ryan

[bmxmon]

I think im going to try to heat and bend mine the right way. I have to bend two different pipes, two different directions. How can i go about bending them, without them creasing?? Any ideas?

[Fat0eknee]

if the pipes are right next to each other stick a pry bar inbetween them and have at it
if they arent just heat the one you need to bend and use another primary for leverage

[bmxmon]

I cannot get these things to bend! I dented them though.... Any other advice?? I can get enough pressure out of the pry bar, because my brother and i are holding the header, so its not very solid. Also, does anybody know how far the clutch fork moves back and forth?? That is the main obstacle. Thanks.

[Phillyfanfrombirth]

Hate to say it...

But you just might want to get an idea of what you need, and take the header to a local weld shop, surely they will be able to help, though it may not be pretty.

[rwhite65]

If you are having someone hold the header, I highly doubt you are gonna be able to keep it solid enough to bend it. I also think you are gonna have to use a torch and heat it up.

Without the heat....ur just gonna be spinning ur wheels.
Ryan

[Fat0eknee]

is it in or out of the car while you are trying to bend it? if its out put it in a vice and if you are having leverage problems ..get a bigger stick - if you are trying to do it while its positioned in the car try to eyeball where you need to bend and then take it out and try to bend little by little putting it back in every once in a while to judge where the next bend needs to go... and yes use a torch

[bmxmon]

well, i gave up on it! I couldnt keep the header heated up enough, even though i have a big tourch. We, (brother and I) were trying to bend it out of the car. It really sucked, you have to take the trans out everytime you want to get the left header in, and then put them in at the same time. Does anybody have good recomendations on headers for a 302 with manual???!!! I think im going to try to find some shorties. Thanks for all the good advice, but those headers won this battle.

[Phillyfanfrombirth]

A buddy of mine used to run Hooker headers on his manual trannied 68 289...

[Richard Tognotti]

For your headers you might try (FPA)phone #(253) 848-9503,
email is (fordpowert@comcast.net) Stan is his name. All he does is FORD. call him and talk to him,he is very helpful. What did you do on your tires and wheels?
Regards Rich T.

[bmxmon]

Thanks Rich, but I already ordered new headers, they will be in Tuesday at about noon. Not real sure what you were wondering on my wheels, if clear that up i can tell you. Thanks for the contact though, i will keep it just in case!