cast headers

K

kurt v

Well-known member
Anyone used the headers that Butches Cool Stuff sells on his web sight, look good and price not bad ? Patricks Smoothie headers.

kurt
 
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Man, those surely do LOOK nice, especially if the left one fits well considering proximity to the steering box. Coop

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Sure are a lot less expensive than FENTONS. If they don't fit correctly make sure you
can send them back.
 
Those are nice looking headers for $250.00

About 30-years ago my dad and I were at a small car show and there was '48 Merc convertible there with this 8BA in it. There was a lady sitting in the car and I walked up and said, "nice flathead". She said, do you want to buy it were putting a big block Chevy in the car next week (puke). The next week we went to pick up the parts: one running flathead with some goodies on it, a trans, the '48 rear end. four '48 Merc rims with brand new white walls and the entire front end, axle, wishbone brakes... I said how much? They said, is $400.00 too much? True Story.

I remember there being some cars these cast Fenton headers won't fit with stock steering boxes. I've never ran a set.
 

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I thought Patrick’s was defunct & the replicas are now made/sold thru speedway.

Originals have logo & deep bolt boss on center port
Patrick’s have flange on center port but no logo
Speedway have flange too and logo

T.
looking for another original set too
 

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Off shore knock off of the original Fenton design. The paper work is deceiving reads flatheads up to 1953 of course they will bolt to all years of the flathead. However they will not fit in early frames the Fenton casting was made to go in fat fender Fords so they will not fit in A and B frames the steering box is in the way unless a whole lot of modifications are made to the steering box and the back side of the left header in the area of the steering box.
Ronnieroadster
 
I have had original Fenton's on my '51 since 1987. They have never leaked or made any weird noises. Six years ago, I changed the engine for a '51 Merc, and an inspection showed that, not only were the headers in perfect shape, but the exhaust system was also. They sound great, too.

I sure hope the "Butch's Headers" are of high quality, because original Fenton's are getting real hard to find.
 
Ronnieroadster said:
Off shore knock off of the original Fenton design. The paper work is deceiving reads flatheads up to 1953 of course they will bolt to all years of the flathead. However they will not fit in early frames the Fenton casting was made to go in fat fender Fords so they will not fit in A and B frames the steering box is in the way unless a whole lot of modifications are made to the steering box and the back side of the left header in the area of the steering box.
Ronnieroadster
Click to expand...

If I correctly understand what you are saying, neither these nor the original Fenton's will fit the "A" or "B" frames with stock steering. If that's true, then I think we should wait until the jury is in on these. I bought a set of stainless "Center-Dump" headers off eBay for $89.95. They fit perfectly and have performed flawlessly. The only problem is that they came with Metric fasteners.:confused: That was pretty easy to fix.

Prematurely judging these solely on their place of origin before knowing what they actually are could be a mistake.
 
tubman said:
If I correctly understand what you are saying, neither these nor the original Fenton's will fit the "A" or "B" frames with stock steering. If that's true, then I think we should wait until the jury is in on these. I bought a set of stainless "Center-Dump" headers off eBay for $89.95. They fit perfectly and have performed flawlessly. The only problem is that they came with Metric fasteners.:confused: That was pretty easy to fix.

Prematurely judging these solely on their place of origin before knowing what they actually are could be a mistake.
Click to expand...

Yes you understood that correctly the original Fentons and these visually identical knockoffs will not fit the early frames. The Fentons were made for fat fender cars from 1935 right on up to 1953 production including trucks during those years as well.
Ronnieroadster
 
I have repro's, speedway I would guess, in my 34. Just barely fit, about 1/8" to the stock steering box.
 
I am using my original Fenton's in a 32 chassis with Vega steering. I have done several customer deuce chassis using this combination.
 
Krylon32 said:
I am using my original Fenton's in a 32 chassis with Vega steering. I have done several customer deuce chassis using this combination.
Click to expand...



That way there's no problem using the stock steering box or a Ford F-1 box in the stock location the clearance problem remains.
Ronnieroadster
 
I looked thru Butch’s web site and catalog, but I couldn’t find the headers. The only cast headers on Speedway’s site were Fentons.
 
i have a 39 std with an 8ba. the drivers side wouldnt clear the steering box. had the flanges milled at an angle, perfect fit
 
ole39 said:
i have a 39 std with an 8ba. the drivers side wouldnt clear the steering box. had the flanges milled at an angle, perfect fit
Click to expand...

Who's headers didn't fit your '39? I have a '38 deluxe with an 8BA and have Speedway Fentons to install. I don't need to go through the exercise if they don't fit. They came off of a '40 with a 221 ci engine.
 
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