Fenton cast iron headers

Shoebox

Shoebox

Well-known member
I've seen some discussion on this recently, but just wanted bring this up and see what if any suggestions. So,.....about 10 years ago I purchased a pair of Fenton headers, either from Flathead Jack or Hot Rod & Custom Supply, both no longer around, for a '51 Tudor, they fit well, and I loved them. Now I'd like another pair, and understand Speedways "Fentons" not so good, they even mention '51 fit "requires grinding" Does anyone make good or accurate offerings of these??
 
I had some Speedway Fenton's but did not like the fit so I got lucky and sold them. I later found a NOS pair of original Fenton's which are a much better quality. Patric's used to make them but I'm not sure they're still around.
 
Krylon32 said:
I had some Speedway Fenton's but did not like the fit so I got lucky and sold them. I later found a NOS pair of original Fenton's which are a much better quality. Patric's used to make them but I'm not sure they're still around.
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Yep, looks like I'll have to troll for a pair of used or NOS. Patrick's did close up in Nov. 2018 Thanks for the response.
 
>>>about 10 years ago >>>for a '51 Tudor, they fit well, and I loved them. Now I'd like another pair>>>


For the same car?
 
I wonder if Speedway had to make them a bit different to avoid legal problems or it was just the same old shoddy design/manufacturing process.

The Fenton's on mine have been on for 34 years, and when I changed the engine out 3 years ago, the entire exhaust system was still in great shape.
 
According to the 1956 Hot Rod Magazine Article that ran for three months. "How to Build the Really Right Flathead. Headers were not needed unless you built an "All Out " engine.
Supposedly the stock Cast Iron manifolds work well with a Mild engine and dual Exhaust.
I have Stock Manifolds on my 40 with 30 year old worn out Steel Pack Mufflers and it
sounds Good (to me). Plus I rather spend the $300 for manifolds on Gas or Beer.
Just my Opinion
 
IMO, The Fentons exit angles work best running dual exhaust thru the frame.
Give 40fords a shout, he had an original set he offered up.
Seem to go for $250-300 out west.
 
I wish the French flathead manifolds were available. All of the French exhaust I've seen are large diameter cast iron and a true dual exhaust set up without a front cross over pipe.
 
My Opinion only, I think the cast iron absorbs sound, tubes keep the rumble bigger, also my stock 37 manifolds look the most inefficient I ever saw. I used 2” from the center and the 1.5” coming into it from the ends. Got U bends from speedway and made the flanges, not expensive. Don’t know how difficult it would be to make the pipes up in a fender car, I test fit on my car and then bolted pieces to a bare block to finish weld. Could have made them block huggers and go inside frame, probably next time.
 

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Tim Ayers said:
I wish the French flathead manifolds were available. All of the French exhaust I've seen are large diameter cast iron and a true dual exhaust set up without a front cross over pipe.
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Tim, if you want, I can take a look in my shelfs, there might be french exhaust parts.
 
Ford made a dual exhaust system for the 1953 year. You can buy the LH exhaust manifold from Drake. As noted, the stock system performs as well as headers.
 
flatjack9 said:
Ford made a dual exhaust system for the 1953 year. You can buy the LH exhaust manifold from Drake. As noted, the stock system performs as well as headers.
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Jack:

This is interesting and makes sense. I had a '53 motor at one time and it came with those manifolds. I sold them at Hershey. Years later I regretted it when I was trying to fit the exhaust in my hot rod.

They sure looked nice. Now I'm on the hunt.

Thanks,

Tim
 
Is there a way to distinguish between original and Speedway Fentons? I bought a set about a year ago that a man took off his '40 Ford and the left manifold had a groove ground out to clear the dip stick.
 
Don't the cast iron originals have a tendency to crack? My 52 is fine but the 53 parts car I bought , the cast exhaust manifolds broke on disassembly.
 
On my supposedly NOS Fentons on the left side manifold you can put both bolts in the center flange in from the outside of the manifold. On the Speedways I had the bottom center bolt was awkward to put in as it was behind the manifold.
 
I have what I assume to be repro's from who I dont know, but no problems with bolt holes. However, the dip stick tube was another story. I had to make a curved tube from brake line, screwed into a female fitting in place of the original tube on the pan. Then, the fat ford stick wouldnt go around corners so I made a flexible stick from a wimpy modern dip stick with the flathead handle brazed on to fool you guys. works good
 
cas3 said:
I have what I assume to be repro's from who I dont know, but no problems with bolt holes. However, the dip stick tube was another story. I had to make a curved tube from brake line, screwed into a female fitting in place of the original tube on the pan. Then, the fat ford stick wouldnt go around corners so I made a flexible stick from a wimpy modern dip stick with the flathead handle brazed on to fool you guys. works good
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That's the way Patrick used to advise. He was dead set against grinding clearance for the dipstick, likely because too many guys went too deep and destroyed the manifold.
 
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