Header for 1952 F1 flathead v8

W

WRHorn9

Member
Looking for advice:
I have a 1952 F1 with a '47 Mercury V8. It does not have the original cast iron headers. It has a new set of headers, installed before I bought it. So, brand?? who knows. But the problem is the header on driver's side touches the dipstick and is within 1/4" of the original steering box. On the passenger's side it seems awfully close to the starter. I am looking at using the truck often so am concerned with overheating of the 3 items mentioned.

Is anyone knowledgeable on a specific brand of headers that are shaped to take into account these original features on a flathead V8? Or, should I bite the bullet and have a custom set made....$$...

Thanks in advance.
WRHorn9
 
You may have Fenton cast iron headers, which have had several iterations, the latest being from Speedway Motors. Dipstick clearance was a problem, and I’ve heard that the newest version may be worse, HOWEVER, nothing beats the sound of Fenton headers exhaust.
Red’s Headers makes a set that has no clearance issues, but again, the sound isn’t the best. Red Hamilton sold the headers business, but I believe the headers are still available from that source, and is the best choice but for the sound.
 
The last pair of Speeday Fenton headers I seen, the block mounting flange areas were not on the same plane with one another. A metal straight edge showed each one was different. Easy fix for someone that has a machine shop, but not everone has mills and 24" long sanders.
 
big deuce said:
The last pair of Speeday Fenton headers I seen, the block mounting flange areas were not on the same plane with one another. A metal straight edge showed each one was different. Easy fix for someone that has a machine shop, but not everone has mills and 24" long sanders.
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Yes, AVOID Speedway Fentons!
 
I have always wondered why anyone would go to the considerable time and expense to reproduce a needed part, and then not finish it off correctly, ending up with an ill-fitting part? And why they don't fix them when they prove to be inferior? It has to have something to do with "Modern American Business Theory" which has proven to be entirely greed oriented.
 
tubman said:
I have always wondered why anyone would go to the considerable time and expense to reproduce a needed part, and then not finish it off correctly, ending up with an ill-fitting part? And why they don't fix them when they prove to be inferior? It has to have something to do with "Modern American Business Theory" which has proven to be entirely greed oriented.
Click to expand...

It didn’t happen whef Speedy Blll was on the job.
 
So easy when you're a woodworker with a flat 48" belt sander. Done a lot of manifolds for my trucks and plenty for local islanders too. Of course there's the iron stains on some mainland guy's walnut stair parts, but I have found they eventually get over it.
 
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Sorry - clarification - the headers I have are tube, not cast iron headers. They look like a production set of tube headers. But have been "modified" by previous owner, poorly.

I have seen 1-1/2" and 2" tube headers online for flatheads, but they don't get into clearance information for stock steering, etc.
 
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