The Ford Barn

Kahuna · 08-17-2014, 09:11 PM

I'd like to know if Fenton Headers ( the reproduced ones) will fit in a 39 Ford (stock), without alteration?
Like steering interference? Or, something else?
Thanks
Jim

tubman · 08-17-2014, 09:23 PM

Kahuna,

I can't give you any good information about Fenton's on a '39, but I can tell you that I have a set on my '51, (that they are not supposed to fit), and I love them. They have been on since 1987, and I am very satisfied. Much better than tube headers, in my opinion.

Tubman

51504bat · 08-17-2014, 09:34 PM

Contact Red's Headers. I'm sure he can provide a bunch of info to help you.
www.reds-headers.com
(760) 343-2590

Ken/Alabama · 08-17-2014, 09:43 PM

I have a pair on my 40 with no clearance issues,39 should be the same.

flatjack9 · 08-17-2014, 10:01 PM

I have them on my 39 also. Been on 20 years. One side needed a pretty sharp turn.

Kahuna · 08-18-2014, 12:22 AM

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Flatjack9
I don't understand the "Sharp Turn" comment using Fentons?
Can you explain?
Thanks
Jim

adileo · 08-18-2014, 06:24 AM

whats the diffrence between Fenton's & Red's?

tubman · 08-18-2014, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adileo

whats the diffrence between Fenton's & Red's?

Fenton's are cast iron so they last longer and are "quieter" (you hear the exhaust note, not the pipes rattling). Also, on my '51, we had to make a sharp turn right at the exit on the drivers side for clearance purposes.

flatjack9 · 08-18-2014, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Flatjack9
I don't understand the "Sharp Turn" comment using Fentons?
Can you explain?
Thanks
Jim

I'll crawl under my car today to refresh my memory as to which side is tight necessitating a fairly sharp turn.

Admiral · 08-18-2014, 09:11 AM

Go with Red's and pay the extra to get them hot coated. They fit perfectly and almost look like chrome. They're really well done and sound great!

Tinker · 08-18-2014, 10:26 AM

On my 38 truck I used fentons. On the drivers side it was a tight fit to the steering box. It fit unmodified, but wasn't a lot of room between the exhaust and the steering box, so I had the drivers side flange machined about an 1/8 of an inch. Better clearance to the steering box but a bit tight to the dipstick. Could have just left it alone and it would have been fine I bet.

Some will just grind a little of the outside of the exhaust near the steering box. They're fairly thick castings.

I'm assuming the tight turn being mentioned is the exhaust pipe turn after the headers. It takes a bit of creative turns to get it out from there. The passenger side is a straight shot out to the back.

Kahuna · 08-18-2014, 12:16 PM

Thanks everyone. I think, after seeing Tinker's picture, that I understand.
Thanks to all

Jim

Tinker · 08-18-2014, 12:33 PM

Few more if it helps.

Kahuna · 08-18-2014, 02:27 PM

Thanks so much, Tinker. Those pics really help

1963turnerjohn · 08-18-2014, 03:16 PM

My 41 originally ( and still has ) the factory exhaust manifolds but with custom dual pipes - works like a charm and was what most fellas did back then. I think most use reproduction headers for the wow factor - I suggest using your factory manifolds and have custom pipes fit up at any trustworthy shop.

36tbird · 08-19-2014, 09:32 AM

Jim, I had to do a little relieving on the driver side Fenton to get about 1/8" clearance around the '39 box that is in the roadster. I've read some who have milled the mounting flanges a little for room. A little shimming on the front engine mounts help, too. Oh, yeah, you have to hold your tongue correctly also while massaging them in there.

08-17-2014, 09:11 PM	#1
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Fenton Headers I'd like to know if Fenton Headers ( the reproduced ones) will fit in a 39 Ford (stock), without alteration? Like steering interference? Or, something else? Thanks Jim

08-17-2014, 09:23 PM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,132	Re: Fenton Headers Kahuna, I can't give you any good information about Fenton's on a '39, but I can tell you that I have a set on my '51, (that they are not supposed to fit), and I love them. They have been on since 1987, and I am very satisfied. Much better than tube headers, in my opinion. Tubman

08-17-2014, 09:34 PM	#3
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,558	Re: Fenton Headers Contact Red's Headers. I'm sure he can provide a bunch of info to help you. www.reds-headers.com (760) 343-2590 __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

08-17-2014, 09:43 PM	#4
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,455	Re: Fenton Headers I have a pair on my 40 with no clearance issues,39 should be the same.

08-17-2014, 10:01 PM	#5
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,608	Re: Fenton Headers I have them on my 39 also. Been on 20 years. One side needed a pretty sharp turn.

08-18-2014, 12:22 AM	#6
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: Fenton Headers Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Flatjack9 I don't understand the "Sharp Turn" comment using Fentons? Can you explain? Thanks Jim

08-18-2014, 06:24 AM	#7
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: Fenton Headers whats the diffrence between Fenton's & Red's?

08-18-2014, 09:11 AM	#10
Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 562	Re: Fenton Headers Go with Red's and pay the extra to get them hot coated. They fit perfectly and almost look like chrome. They're really well done and sound great!

08-18-2014, 10:26 AM	#11
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,063	Re: Fenton Headers On my 38 truck I used fentons. On the drivers side it was a tight fit to the steering box. It fit unmodified, but wasn't a lot of room between the exhaust and the steering box, so I had the drivers side flange machined about an 1/8 of an inch. Better clearance to the steering box but a bit tight to the dipstick. Could have just left it alone and it would have been fine I bet. Some will just grind a little of the outside of the exhaust near the steering box. They're fairly thick castings. I'm assuming the tight turn being mentioned is the exhaust pipe turn after the headers. It takes a bit of creative turns to get it out from there. The passenger side is a straight shot out to the back. Last edited by Tinker; 08-18-2014 at 10:48 AM.

08-18-2014, 12:16 PM	#12
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: Fenton Headers Thanks everyone. I think, after seeing Tinker's picture, that I understand. Thanks to all Jim

08-18-2014, 02:27 PM	#14
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: Fenton Headers Thanks so much, Tinker. Those pics really help

08-18-2014, 03:16 PM	#15
1963turnerjohn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ann Arbor / Canton Michigan Posts: 334	Re: Fenton Headers My 41 originally ( and still has ) the factory exhaust manifolds but with custom dual pipes - works like a charm and was what most fellas did back then. I think most use reproduction headers for the wow factor - I suggest using your factory manifolds and have custom pipes fit up at any trustworthy shop.

08-19-2014, 09:32 AM	#16
36tbird Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: nw SanAntonio, TX Posts: 940	Re: Fenton Headers Jim, I had to do a little relieving on the driver side Fenton to get about 1/8" clearance around the '39 box that is in the roadster. I've read some who have milled the mounting flanges a little for room. A little shimming on the front engine mounts help, too. Oh, yeah, you have to hold your tongue correctly also while massaging them in there.