Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum banner

69 Mustang Header Problems

7K views 13 replies 12 participants last post by  ujt389 
#1 ·
Check out the photo.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/pbrown/header%20install.JPG

The drivers side header is too high to clear the floor pan. They are Hooker 6901.

It looks like the engine is twisted to the right. Look closely at the tranny mount. I had them change the motor mounts but it didn't make a difference.

Does anyone have an idea on how to get this engine back into alignment? The shop wants to try bending the drivers side header down to clear the floor.

Thanks,
 
#2 ·
pbrown, I agree that it looks like the engine is sitting high on the driver's side. Has this car been wrecked? Something is not right. BTW, if you bend that header, you will likely twist the flange. I did this on my truck, and my flange is twisted. Now, I have to go back in and weld up the ports on the flange to get a good seal...some day.

I'd take some measurements from the engine down to the rack and compare the left and right side. The driver's side is up too high.
 
#3 ·
I had the same problem in my 69 when I had a set of Hooker 6116 Comp headers. The engine was level. In the end I had the collector cut off, an S bend section of pipe welded in place.

A year or so after that I bit the bullet and bought a set of 6208 Super Comp headers. They cleared with no problem. The hung down about 2" lower

David Cole
 
#4 ·
Ot looks as though the tranny mount bracket may have been bent.... the tranny mount is sitting cock-eyed on that bracket. May want to take it off and check it for level.... to me it just looks off.
 
#5 ·
On 2005-04-26 14:08, Thordane65 wrote:
Ot looks as though the tranny mount bracket may have been bent.... the tranny mount is sitting cock-eyed on that bracket. May want to take it off and check it for level.... to me it just looks off.
I don't think the tranny mount is bent...look at the bottom of the oil pan. It looks like the whole Engine/Transmission is too high on the left side.
 
#6 ·
Make sure that the engine is sitting down on both motor mounts and centered between the shock towers. Also look for any places where the headers are touching like at the shock towers or firewall. If you had somebody install the headers they may have tried to force the driver side down past the fire wall by just bolting the motor down. That could have bent that side header upwards some. Look for non-mandrel type kinks or bends in the pipes or any places where the coating has been scraped off.

I run Super comps but I had similar problems with the headers and at one point I gave up and thought I had been sent the wrong ones. I had a heck of a time figuring out the trick to installing them.

THE TRICK
The motor mount bolts and tranny mount bolts have to be loosened and the motor jacked up about 1 1/2 inches.

The driver side header has to go on first with the motor slid over as far to the passenger side as it will go. If you put the passenger side header on first there is no way the driver side will go on. If the header hits the fire wall the motor is jacked up too far. The driver side of the motor has to be angled up some for the header to go into place. Once all the header bolts are started the motor will fit down on the mounts. Let the motor down and slide it all the way over to the driver side as far as it will go.

I can't remember now whether the passenger side of the motor has to be jacked up or not. I think it has to be all the way down and you slide the header in along the head bolts and then up over them and into place.

Make sure and center the motor back between the fire walls and bolt down all the mounts.

To say that they fit snugly is an understatement.



_________________
1965 289 mustang fastback

as of Jan 16, 2005
60 ft: 1.65 8th:7.49 @ 90 qtr: 11.85 @ 113 mph

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Hottarod on 4/27/05 2:37am ]</font>
 
#8 ·
I had them replace both motor mounts andf the tranny mount but it didn't change the angle. This is not my car and I'm trying to help long distance. I'm going to recommend that they pull both headers and find out why the motor is twisted over and fix it. The headers may fit after that. I didn't think bending it down sounded right. That's why I asked you fine folks. Thanks for the tips.
 
#9 ·
Motor mountn are the same, both sides. The frame mounts will have to be loosened. In our 70, the motor is not quite square either. I still think you are going to have a clearance problem. We have 6901's on the 302 - same Hooker P/N listed for both 302 and 351W, in spite of the 1.3" deck difference. They fit well on tht 70 and I thought -eyballing them- that putting them on our 351W in the same car would be a tight fit.

http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/ES/ESHHCH/Comp.html
 
#10 ·
I've got the same problem with my 69 coupe with a 351C. The old "brand X" headers that came with the car fit fine, but my new Hedmans have the same up against the floor pan as yours. I think my issue is with the motor mounts as there are two styles for a 351c, a tall mount for convertibles..and a short one for coupes and fastbacks. You might want to check this approach.
 
#11 ·
Do you have a 351w? I had the same problem with my fairlane. Some headers are sold for 351 289and 302 and are all the same part# Sure they all bolt up but the deck height on the 351 is higher and the headers are designed for the 302 289. There should allways be a different part number for the 351. I just checked out the part numbers and they list different ones for the 302 289 But under the aplication chart they say they will fit 302 289? as well strange check it out.http://store.summitracing.com/

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Lupins on 4/29/05 11:33pm ]</font>
 
#12 ·
I am using the 6901 on my 69 Coupe with a 302 and they are pretty close to the floor board I really dont think they would work if it was a 351W. I thought they were too close even on mine I can see where you would have a problem with the increase in deck height.
 
#13 ·
I used a set of the 170 dolla or whatever headman headers for my 351w and same problem. I ended up tweaking the header a bit and then fabing the exhaust around it. Really pissed me off. I run solid motor mount in my 67 stang though so im not worried about it flexing and hiting. I used the old ******* trick. Drill a hole in the motor mount and some thin steel and a bolt through the mount. then i welded the tip of the bolt where it came through the nut so it never came lose. Same motor mount for 2 years and 2 motors now and never broke yet haha. Sort of a bitch to get in though not much give in the mount to align.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top