Fenton's or Red's or ??

Heard

Heard

Well-known member
Ok guys, I need your advice yet again :). I realize that none of these headers really produce much of an improvement on our old flatheads. I am not concerned about that. But I'm trying to decide which way to go on my '35 pickup with '39 steering box and 8BA. I would like to hear from you about the fit and quality of Fenton's vs. Red's or some other brand, specifically for my configuration.

Thanks!!
Heard
 
I'd start by giving Red's a call directly. My experience with engine parts for an 8ba as well as a friend who bought Red's Headers for a '30 AV8 with a F-1 box was excellent. You won't get any BS yes it will fit answers if they won't. JMO.
 
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How old are you? Tube headers have a finite life; Fentons are indestructible. I installed a set of Fentons on my '51 in 1987. When I replaced the engine two years ago, they were still in perfect shape. Plus, they don't rattle.

They said they wouldn't fit, but they did just fine.:)
 
slowforty said:
if you have a relatively stock engine. stock manifolds will work just fine
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Yeah, but what's the fun in that? I forgot to say in my last post that I had a set in a '36 3-window I had with a '37 steering box. They fit fine with a little grinding to clear the steering.
 
Hey girls...From an older guy, stock manifolds or even Fentons is about as exciting as GOING TO THE PROM WITH YOUR UGLY, OVERWEIGHT SISTER...in your mom's PINK Rambler!! DD
 
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Heard, I've had both Fenton's and Red's....the Fenton's were on a '39 and I did have to do some grinding and modify the dipstick. Also, the rest of the system had to be custom made by a muffler shop.

I have Red's on my '47 and they bolted right up without any clearance issues....yes, I know not identical steering boxes....but I was able to get all the way back to the tailpipes with the headers, connector pipes, and Smithys, doing it myself. Did have to have the tail pipes done professionally.

All in, my cost was about half with the Red's stuff. And, Tubman is right, the Fenton's may outlive the car!! If you go the Red's route and you don't opt for the powder coating, do yourself a favor and get a can of the Eastwood hi-temp manifold paint. They will rust if you don't and I really hated that look. Taking them off, doing the painting, and putting them back on was not a fun project!!

As noted above, the people at Red's were a pleasure to deal with and very responsive.

Keep us posted and best of luck!!
 
What about the center drop headers, do they fit 35-40 and clear the steering box and wishbone?
 
I’ve got both and didn’t have an issue with either one getting around the steering box. I currently have Fenton’s on my 40 and have a 605 power steering box and they clear that also . Had them Jet Hot coated 25 years ago and they still look new .
 
I ran "Red's" on my 52 F1 for 15 years. Fit and held up well.
Give them a call as I understand that they had some production issues a couple of years ago. … Chap
 
When I bought my '41 3 years ago the previous owner put Red's headers on it, he was in his 80's, it's not just the headers, I'm not sure who did the dual exhaust, but it fits great and was planned out well. It has blue mufflers can't see the brand but it all sounds great, not too loud just that great flathead rumble.
 
V8COOPMAN said:
Hey girls...From an older guy, stock manifolds or even Fentons is about as exciting as GOING TO THE PROM WITH YOUR SISTER...in your mom's Rambler!! DD
Click to expand...
But didn't Rambler front seats recline to a completely flat bed like profile? Or was that just Nash's? Not important if you're with your sister but the girl next door is a different story.
 
I've run RED"S in my '41 1/2 ton for 12 years and 3 motors, one stock motor and two 8BA's. They suit me.....must mention I had them powder coated inside and out.
Charlie ny
 
I have FENTONs on my 40 with an 8BA. They cleared the steering box without grinding.

The fellow that sold them to me said they were the early style FENTONs and that they were made to clear steering boxes "back in the day". However, I am sure the height of the front motor mounts also affect "clearance". I used 1950's early ford pick up pumps with the standard 1940 rubber biscuits. I didn't have to do any grinding. Folks using the 1951 Merc "U" shaped spacer mounts may encounter engine height differences also.

I had them jet hot coated 20 years ago and they still look brand new. Not cheap. It would be interesting to know if there really are any casting differences between early cast and later cast FENTONS. The logo below is on the passenger side header as i coundn't get a good shot of the driver side.

Is there a difference in the design of the FENTON logo that was cast on the header? Would be interesting to compare.

Anyone know?
 

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"V8" - "Heard" said in his original post "I realize that none of these headers really produce much of an improvement on our old flatheads. I am not concerned about that.". It sounds like he knows exactly what he wants to do.

I have never had a set of "Red's Headers", but I have had some bad experience with tubing headers in general and got into the habit of avoiding them years ago. Hopefully "Red's" has improved that situation.
 
I have Red's headers on my 37 with the stock steering box. The engine is a 1940. I had the headers jet hot coated. Had to raise the front engine mounts about 1/2" to obtain clearance.
 

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i have used both Fenton & Reds. once at the same time on on my 1941 pick up and a 1950 car. the tube headers were on the 41 and i noticed that there was noticeably more cabin heat when i drove. using a laser temp gun on both vehicles just idling at operating temperature in the drive way i found the tube headers radiated much more heat into the engine compartment (between 150 to 200 degrees) than the cast iron fentons. cost me a few bucks to change the tube headers to cast fentons and that change lowered the cabin temperature very noticeably.
i would recommend the cast iron Fenton headers for your pick up based on my experience of driving and having to deal with the radiated heat in the cab from the tube headers... Don
 
I put Red's headers, dual exhaust and glass packs on my '41 20 years ago. All still fine, no rust etc. And I LOVE the sound!
 
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