Headers for '49 custom
 

How's it going everyone? I just picked up my first Ford coming from the world of Chevys ('54 210 and '51 Belair). I want to put dual exhaust on this bad boy. I really want to stick with cast iron and I found a few places that sell the driver side manifold with the rear outlet, but none of them have one in stock. There's Fenton but I hear they have fitment issues so I don't know if I want to toss them $400 and then have a battle on my hands. It's looking like I can either use a u-bend off the front of the drivers manifold of go with headers. I see Reds and Speedway both sell them. From what I'm reading, the Reds headers are hit or miss in quality/fitment. Does anyone have experience with the universal speedway headers? I've yet to see anything about someone using them so I have absolutely nothing to go on. Any info is appreciated

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

The Speedway sets are easy to dent and hammer them to fit. I got a right from Shoebox-Central and a left from Bob Drake to have cast iron duals. Fit is good without any issues on a ‘51...Mark

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

Drake doesn't list the left anymore or I'd be all over it. That's the first place I looked

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

I know that Fenton's are not supposed to fit "shoebox" Fords, but I have had a set on my '51 Club Coupe since 1987. It took a custom made driver side head pipe, but every thing else fit fine. I changed the engine in the car in 2016, and a close inspection showed the entire exhaust system to still be in good shape.

They also sound terrific.

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

I too have a set of Fentons on a shoebox. Fits fine.

Be aware though there are Fentons and then there are the current production Fentons from speedway. While they look very similar, the older style actually fit around the steering box without excessive fiddling around. Look at used one for sale and compare to new pictures and you'll see what I mean.

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

So the reproductions are the issue...
That actually doesn't surprise me.

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

I have had 2 sets of Red's Headers in 2 different cars & they fit fine & held up well. Red's 4 me.

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

Did the driver side have that huge crimp in the tubing at the collector? Also I keep reading that where one of the tubes joins the others the hole is only like a half inch in diameter. Is that right or no?

Re: Headers for '49 custom
 

Just heard about Wirths Custom Automotive 608092 headers. Anybody have any experience with them or any pictures? They dont have a pic on their website