fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Merry Christmas!

New engine, mounts, etc. going into my newly restored 39 Ford car chassis. I'm attempting to use the new Fenton's from Speedway and I'm having clearance issues with the steering box on the LH side. I have re-radiused the steering box corner all I care too. I have also removed approximately 3/32 to 4/32 from the offending area in the Fenton manifold. I really don't want to go deeper and cause a thin spot that may crack later. Thinking of taking about 2/32 (thickness a regular exhaust gasket) off each flange to pull the manifold in tighter to the block and still maintain dipstick tube clearance. Sum total of what I have now WITH milling the flanges would net around 4/32 to 5/32 of clearance between box and manifold which is still hot and tight on the box. What are others doing?

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

I've got them on my 39 and did not have that problem. My header must have had a different contour.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

try putting a washer/spacer on front motor mount it might give you some needed clearance

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

I have them on my '39 59 AB, but I got them from Patrick's about twenty years ago and think his may be "contoured" a little differently, but I did have to modify the dip stick.

The castings are pretty thick, so hopefully your grinding process will work. I dropped one accidentally during engine rebuild and broke off one of the flanges, but was able to repair it with brazing....cracks can be fixed.

Dick.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

I used 1 inch spacers to raise the engine and everything cleared.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Are you using a different trans? The original trans output shaft is even with the top frame rail. I used a T-5 and the output shaft is about 1 1/2" lower and I have the same clearance issues.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

I put Fenton's, purchased from Speedway 10 years ago, on my '35 traditional hotrod build that has a 59 294ci engine, '39 transmission, '37-'41 transmission mount bolted to frame, '37 steering box and '37-'41 steering box to frame mount.
I removed material from the flanges as you are talking about doing. I also removed a slight amount of material from the header surface that's nearest to the steering box. These headers do have thick walls. Then I removed a slight amount of material from that corner of the steering box that comes closest to the manifold. I believe I also milled the mounting surface of the steering box casting very lightly. Wound up with about 1/4" clearance without the need to put any additional shims/washers/spacers between rubber donut mounts and cast iron mounts on water pumps. Too much lift on the front of my '35 engine could put the generator mounted fan into the bottom of the large tank top radiator. I did use new rubber donut mounts, with a single flat washer that normally comes with these new rubber mounts, at the front of the engine and at the transmission to frame mounts.
This all worked well to give the clearance necessary, especially if you consider that the normal rotational inertia of the engine will tend to increase that space between the steering box and Fenton exhaust manifold.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

I guess Red's is no longer making their headers - I have them on my 39 & 40 fit without alterations

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

had the same problem in my 39 std with an 8ba, had the machine shop mill the flanges at an angle, problem solved.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Red's is still in business. Google is your friend.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Yes, use a spacer on the motor mounts. I machined a 1/2" spacer from 2" diameter alum rod and it looks great.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

I have them on my 35 but wouldn't go through that again.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Thanks to all suggestions. I don't want to raise the motor any as that can just lead to other issues to solve later. I'll have the flanges milled as I was originally thinking. Perhaps the Fenton molds have been changed over the years; I notice these have "Fenton TM" on them. Must have lost some fidelity along the way.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

I have them on my 40 with a Saginaw 605 power steering box and they clear.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Just purchased a set of Red's this month. Finished putting them on this week with no problems. I was able to connect them to my previously installed dual exhaust.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

39flyer, are Red's Headers available again for a 59AB ?.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Red's is still in business, just had an email from him last week about some pistons for my 8ba. Super fast response. All in all a great guy to deal with. He is closed until 1-4-16 for the holidays. I do know he was having trouble getting/keeping good welders. It took a buddy months to get a set of headers for his AV8 but it was well worth the wait.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Jakob: not sure if they are. It sure sounded like they were available for all model's. I would call them. They were very helpful. Mine were out of stock when I first called in November but was told to call back after December first.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Thanks for the Red's info. Looking for a set of Red's headers for my 59A and son's 8va. We'll give them a Ringy Dingy Monday.

Re: fenton headers into a 39-40
 

Dave Havlir here with Havlir House of Fabrication.
Here's what I have to offer up for the cross-steer crowd.
mild steel, 16 gauge, 1 5/8 stepped to 1 3/4. All TIG welded construction.
Let me know if I can be of any help.
I also have headers for AV8 conversions.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...3806151411.jpg

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http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...t/DSC01658.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...t/DSC01645.jpg

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