Fenton's or Red's or ??

Heard, I put a set of Fenton headers on my 36 pickup - they sound great but required a lot of grinding to properly clear my steering box. That said, I'm very happy with them. Another project i'm working on has me leaning towards using a set of Reds though.

Pat
 
sorry no 35 experience, but fentons in my 34 fit just fine except for the dipstick. 59a motor, i used a brake fitting in the boss on the oil pan, then a curved brake line,(3/8"?) to wiggle under the header, then for a dipstick that will go around corners, a modern skinny little thing with a flathead handle brazed on the top. works good. i've not had both, but the cast iron is said to make a nicer sound and mine with dual strait pipes sounds nice and mellow
 
Good stuff, guys, as usual. I have Red's on my '36 coupe with 8BA but they came on the car so I have no idea if there were fitment issues. It looks like there is plenty of clearance.....

Looking at those pics Jim posted, those Fenton's are REALLY close. However, the comments about radiated heat are interesting to say the least.

Gonna have to think about this a little bit. AND I haven't priced either of them yet. That could make the decision easy. :eek:

Thanks for all the input!!

Heard
 
Reds on my '38 pickup. Bolted right up no problems with the stock steering and no problem later when I went to IFS with a steering rack. I got the coated and they look like new after 19 years.
 
V8COOPMAN said:
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
Click to expand...


You doing okay? Fentons are nothing like stock exhaust manifolds. Run what you like. I'm in the Fenton camp.
 
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Heard if you ain't worried about every lbs the repro fentons can take a little mod. They fit out of box, but I did a 1/8 mill to the manifold to block surface to clear the steering box and dremel grind for a bit of wiggle on the dipstick. The originals fit better.

If you are worried about a few lbs on the motor. Then maybe fentons aren't the choice. I like them as they flow and will last for literally beyond me and more. Can't prove heat but I would bet they are better at sustaining and absorbing heat verses a steel pipe (but once up to temp sustained then) I like the look also. Fentons have been around far longer then others.

In the long run it's probably a tomato / tamato thing.


Lot of threads....
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35004&showall=1



.
 
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I have Fenton headers on my 41 pick up. been on the truck for 40 years . I did not want to have to deal with rusted out headers later on.
Vic
 
A old set of used dirty chromed fentons I have, still okay. New casings are a bit different. Just need to find a short block 59ab.
 

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Tinker: Would you happen to know the difference between
the "Old FENTONS" and "the more recent FENTONS"?
 
A guy by the name of Dave Havlir makes some really nice headers and has made some custom application ones as well, all for the Flathead. They are not cheap but he makes each set to order so it takes a little bit. Havlir House of Fab ....
 
19Fordy said:
Tinker: Would you happen to know the difference between
the "Old FENTONS" and "the more recent FENTONS"?
Click to expand...

Original Fentons use a long bolt on the bottom center left side. I posted pics in a header thread on 4/18 @ 10.45am post #6.
 
I too have used headers from Dave Havlir's House of Fab and very pleased. Using on a AV8 with F1 steering box and I have a ton of room, Fentons just would not work without major changes.

Cobbie
 
cobbie said:
I too have used headers from Dave Havlir's House of Fab and very pleased. Using on a AV8 with F1 steering box and I have a ton of room, Fentons just would not work without major changes.
Cobbie
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And here's an example of Dave's flathead tubes. DD


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DSC01619.jpg



………..
 
If Fenton's will work I'd use them. Reds seem to getting pricey. 275 for tube headers. Fenton's are like 20 bucks more. If Fenton's don't fit buy reds
 
19Fordy said:
Tinker: Would you happen to know the difference between
the "Old FENTONS" and "the more recent FENTONS"?
Click to expand...


The "old" cast versions have a thinner cast and design. So believe me or not, it was common before knowledge. I don't care. I'm not selling anything. The repops are not the same, but do work well with little amount of work on the driver side manifold for some applications (sometimes they bolt right on), but maybe not all applications (no big deal, a 10$ mill and a little dremel grind around the dip, there is plenty of meat there). Just a personal preference and like them.

Like I mentioned above. Run what you like. If it works for you (and it will) do it...
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185339&showall=1
.
 
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