Headers on 36 Coupe

Jim Haskins

Jim Haskins

Member
Hi All, I am replacing the burned out steel headers on 8BA in a 36 coupe. It seems the installer had to bash the drivers side for clearance. I would like to install Fenton headers. Question" Will Fenton headers clear the 1937 steering box , If so are there any other problems that I should be aware of. THANKS in Advance.
 
I have an 8BA in a 35 coupe. It has cast Fentons on it. If I had it to do over I wouldn't use them. i ground a little off the header and then ground a corner off of the steering box cover bolt. Then I moved the engine over just a hair.
It all works but a PITA for sure. For all the expense and work I think I would just use a ford manifold for dual exhaust.
 
I had the same setup you have. ('36 Ford, '37 Steering box, 8BA, and Fenton headers). It took a little carefull grinding, but it all turned out well. In addition to being a superior steering system, the '37 box gives a little more clearance. This was 20 years ago, so things are a little fuzzy, but I think I raised the engine a little as well. I may just be lucky; I have Fenton headers on my '51 as well and they're not supposed to fit it either. They've been on there for almost 25 years, so I guess they work all right.
 
I used Fentons on my '35 tudor sedan that has a 59a engine and '37 steering box. Had to do some of the same grinding and fitting that Straightpipes did (but didn't move the engine) to get about 1/4" clearance. Also had to do some grinding on the back of the manifold and forming of the dipstick tube to make that work. I bought Reds Headers and his complete dual exhaust system for my '35 coupe rather than use Fentons again.
 
Here's a better question, why don't they just make it so the Fentons ACTUALLY FIT? Do yourself a favor and get Red's Headers. They work with no ridiculous modifications.
 
Admiral said:
Here's a better question, why don't they just make it so the Fentons ACTUALLY FIT? Do yourself a favor and get Red's Headers. They work with no ridiculous modifications.
Click to expand...

Not a Fenton expert, but believe the current headers are a copy of the originals. Last I heard Reds was not providing the tube headers anymore.
 
JSeery said:
Not a Fenton expert, but believe the current headers are a copy of the originals. Last I heard Reds was not providing the tube headers anymore.
Click to expand...

If true this is terrible news! :( Their headers, especially when hot-coated, are beautiful and fit like a glove.
 
THANKS TO ALL, THOSE Those are the things I needed to know. As a 78 year old newby I did not connect Reds and headers.I am going to look into those befor proceeding.
 
The headers that I have on the coupe are original Fentons probably made while Red was still a puppy. The Fentons that Speedway sells are a copy. You can tell them as they have trademark initials cast in (I think TM). I wonder why, if the originals don't fit they wouldn't have corrected the clearance problem. Maybe because those pesky 8BA mills aren't supposed to fit in those small early engine compartments...Who knows.
 
I have said it before, and I'll say it again.. Headers on a engine/car that is basically used on the street is a waste of money. The only thing the headers provide is bragging rights.
I have a set of Belond headers hanging on the wall in my garage that I tried to put on my '36 in 1955. I had to collapse the center tube on the left header with a hammer in order to clear the steering gears. After less than two hours of driving the car I pulled the headers off and reinstalled the stock '36 log type manifolds.
The later model cars, '49-53 present less of a challenge for header clearance.
I've attached a pix of the 59AB engine in my '36 showing the stock manifolds which clear the '37-40 steering gears very nicely..
 

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