The Ford Barn

CJStefan · 11-01-2021, 06:03 PM

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

flatford8 · 11-01-2021, 06:12 PM

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

CJStefan · 11-01-2021, 06:39 PM

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

tubman · 11-01-2021, 06:52 PM

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.

JHFORD51 · 11-01-2021, 07:58 PM

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.

CJStefan · 11-01-2021, 10:05 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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

mfirth · 11-02-2021, 07:09 AM

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

CJStefan · 11-02-2021, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfirth

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

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?

CJStefan · 11-05-2021, 11:19 PM

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

11-01-2021, 06:03 PM	#1
CJStefan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 159	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

11-01-2021, 06:12 PM	#2
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	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 __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

11-01-2021, 06:39 PM	#3
CJStefan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 159	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

11-01-2021, 06:52 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	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.

11-01-2021, 07:58 PM	#5
JHFORD51 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 253	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.

11-01-2021, 10:05 PM	#6
CJStefan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 159	Re: Headers for '49 custom Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) So the reproductions are the issue... That actually doesn't surprise me.

11-02-2021, 07:09 AM	#7
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	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.

11-05-2021, 11:19 PM	#9
CJStefan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 159	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