37 Ford build--IE: old Header issues thread /37 Ford/5.0/GT40P heads

[bluestang67]

My GT 40 P heads just came back from machine shop today getting the mounting holes drilled for clearance for the 1/2 bolts on the 351 . I heard a rumor that the Mustang GT shortie headers will work on the GT 40 P heads .

Having a set of shorties I went to garage and set the heads on the engine and couple bolted the headers to the heads . This is going to work well and going in the 37 I believe it will be easier then trying it in the 31 .


The #2 and #4 cylinder are the only cylinders that will require a dimple in the headers . The passenger side will have no clearance issues at all . This will be saving me money on headers and the mini starter required by some headers .

Some pics of headers on the P heads .

[IC2]

Bobby, while it's not really a good header (look where the bolts squash the runner at the flange) and if they fit, good luck!! I tried them, the similar SVT version and one other set (Patriots, I believe) before I ended up with the Sanderson FF1 which Randy also found he needed as well. I bought mine uncoated so I could clean up some of the weld slag and extraneous runner material where they join at the collector as well as the flange and it ended up taking several hours with my die grinder. Take a look back at one of the first pages of this very long thread and you'll see the "conversation" Randy and I had a couple of years plus ago and some of his pain with some mediocre Sanderson quality (also, recall the title of the thread )

[randyr]

Another thing to consider also, Bobby, is whether the angle & location of the outlet on the driver's side header will give you problems with routing the exhaust around the clutch/brake/MC. It may also give you problems with the steering column but you will probably have to fit the engine into the car to be sure about these things. Figuring out the exhaust is going to be the next thing I tackle on mine, I think. The driver's side will definitely be challenging with dual exhaust.

[bluestang67]

Dave by good I mean they made the 5.0 Mustangs run real well . They may not be full performance but I am building a mild engine . I seen that on the tubes and been figuring a fix for their correction to reshape . Would really rather spend that cash somewhere else if I can . But If It comes down to really needing the Sanderson headers I will get them . Then I will just copy Randy's exhaust .

Randy I will be watching the exhaust install to see where and what you have to do . I have been looking into the front wheel drive columns lately they are short and with the short shaft inside the firewall I have plenty of choices on where it will exit out . This should help with the exhaust exit a lot . This will give me a straight column with about 8 inches of play at the firewall to exit . Like you say everything will have to be mocked up to see what works and what mods will need to be done .

[IC2]

Dave by good I mean they made the 5.0 Mustangs run real well . They may not be full performance but I am building a mild engine . I seen that on the tubes and been figuring a fix for their correction to reshape . Would really rather spend that cash somewhere else if I can . But If It comes down to really needing the Sanderson headers I will get them . Then I will just copy Randy's exhaust .

Randy I will be watching the exhaust install to see where and what you have to do . I have been looking into the front wheel drive columns lately they are short and with the short shaft inside the firewall I have plenty of choices on where it will exit out . This should help with the exhaust exit a lot . This will give me a straight column with about 8 inches of play at the firewall to exit . Like you say everything will have to be mocked up to see what works and what mods will need to be done .

Bobby - the 5.0 headers strangled the Mustang (personal experience with my '86 GT, now long gone). Take a lurk at a Mustang forum. Now add them to a 5.8/351. Obviously, they will work and of course your prerogative to use, but there are better choices that even Ford (and Summit) offers in their SVT catalog. It's a lot easier to build an exhaust system with the front sheet metal off and the engine exposed then together. Now that you have the GT40P heads, this would be the crowning touch as they will flow much better then the ho-hummers you had.

[bluestang67]

Dave I guess in the long run you are right . I have been talking to people on best cam options still using the pedestal mounts and max lift . One guy said stay about the ,480 lift with 1.6 rockers and get up to a @50 - 230 duration to get the cam sound I am looking for with a 112' LS .

[IC2]

Dave I guess in the long run you are right . I have been talking to people on best cam options still using the pedestal mounts and max lift . One guy said stay about the ,480 lift with 1.6 rockers and get up to a @50 - 230 duration to get the cam sound I am looking for with a 112' LS .

The best camshaft that I ran (out of several tried, an Edelbrock Performer, a Perf. RPM as well as a crap Comp Cams dog) in my last 351W was a Lunati which had a split LS 108/112 if I recall plus about a .500 lift. Not sure of the part number - but will see if I can find it later today. With a SB Ford you do have to keep the lift with some pistons, even if dished, at approximately .500 unless you have eyebrows cut into them too. A.480 lift wont hack it at all. This Lunati was a great 1500-5000 RPM cam and had a wicked sounding idle (isn't that what "really" counts). I used Comp Cams 1.6 roller rockers on that engine vs. the Crane 1.7 on my current 302.