Header advice for 460 f-100

[jeffery2304]

i use a set of sanderson headers on my f-100, they are quality 17/8 primaries with 3' collectors and the best part of all 3/4' flanges, these seal using black rtv or the no mess rout a non stick fel pro, i have had these headers off 3 to 4 times using the same gasket they still are sealed, i had them on my production head (standard exaust port) and currently modified to fit my scj heads witch required welding the top of the flang or (build up) the flang so they could be ported higher cj ports are the same width wise but taller than standard port this also requires removing some of the sealing surface. i went from 1/4'' of sealing surface to 1/8 sealing surface still absolutly no sealing problems.they will sell this same header with cj flang but at the time i didnt have the cash. i cut off the 3 holed flange at the collector and reduced the 3' to a true 2-1/2 id mandrell bent pieces welded together in sections to get it up and over the crossmember into 3' extensions to 3 ' 20 dollar glass packs its totally removable (both sides) from the top! thise is a 550 hp crate from ford motorsport the exaust is sealed,total functional,and removable,it sounds fantastic granted there was alot of fabrication,mostly in the flanges but worth it! whene these rot out i'll go to the cj flanged header, please correct me if im wrong now , but at that time it was this or custom fabricated headers. hope this helps someone ps sorry 3/8'' flanges

[70shortwide]

what exactly did you have to do to route them OVER the crossmember? I'm at my wits end looking for headers. i have a guy that will build me what i want but it will take time and he wants me to pull my front clip. everything i have found goes under the crossmember, big problem with a lowrider!

[jeffery2304]

hey shortwide! at the time i couldnt find anything in a long tube header ,since looking around on here everything i have seen is been belowe the crossmember, ii am not shure if these would be a problem for me as i have ever tried them other issues being primary size,port size,removability,flange size,etc,if this was a concern. although a custom set would solve all these issues,myself i would not do it unless it was to make more (hp) or i had the extra cash,then it would be a what the hell factor, to answer your question,the sanderson header is a shorty and starts out already above the crossmember, i had acess to new pieces of exaust i would just cut sections out of, other companys sell mandrell bent pieces u- bends j- bends using differant angled pieces to make a path from the collector to where ever you wanted to go. i did it in small steped sections tack welding each piece as i went ,mathed all that to my exstensions (the straight pipe back) whene happy with all that went back and welded it back up. i made mine transision from 2-1/2'' to 3'' just before the the member and made that the point where i could remove the two pieces,making them crazy easy to remove.although not as pretty as custom to (me) just as or more functional. 50% of the work is done after the header is installed

[jeffery2304]

just wanted to add ...i dont remember there being alot of room between the crossmember and floor board,this was a issue for me so i made my own crossmember sorry its probably more like 30% of the work after you hang the header,i loved every minute of it.

[70shortwide]

just to clear this up- those sandersons that you have fit out of the box? or did you have to make them fit. sorry but it kinda sounds like you revamped them to be easier to install, and have long tube headers. shortys would be great! ill just have some pipe welded in and hook them up! if this is the case do you remember where you got them or a part #? i really appreciate you helping me here

[averagef250]

1/2 the 2wd's I see have that crossmember cut out anyway, why not just remove it?

[70shortwide]

Ive got a little extra power under the hood. really dont want to flex too much. also cutting the crossmember out wont help much. my problem is that the headers drag the ground (it literally happens I always used to make fun of things like that, now its not so funny). Im also lowering it more. definately time to fix it.

[70shortwide]

OK ive found some. I called sanderson and the guy said he would guarantee them to fit. . can anyone vouch for the quality? Im pretty picky, and my motor isnt stock. from what i can tell they will be ok, but hearing someone praise them would make my day! they have 3/8" flanges, 1 7/8" primary tubes, and 3" collectors. sounds good as long as they are quality built.

[jeffery2304]

average 250...w hat do you mean by remove crossmember????? hey shortwide FF461 was the part # i used there is also a FF460 that i am not familiar with as far as fit the passenger side header is differant, your question about fit.....yea no problem! i never had a fit problem only a port size problem when i went to the scj head. how much hp do you have, will you be happy with 1-7/8'' i know that that size goes along way. i have a set of duels with the flanges welded on to 2'' pipe back to packs and dump rite before the axle, there damn nere new if you were locale and they were something you could use id say take em! they were the first set i built there a lttle to small now. that header is a quality piece

[jeffery2304]

i went to 460ford.com the .. 1/7/8'' primary is good to around 600-650 horse power, and that is probably refering to a long tube header but if your not racing on pinks who cares!

[jeffery2304]

the croosmember between the radius arm bushing mounts?

[70shortwide]

average 250...w hat do you mean by remove crossmember????? hey shortwide FF461 was the part # i used there is also a FF460 that i am not familiar with as far as fit the passenger side header is differant, your question about fit.....yea no problem! i never had a fit problem only a port size problem when i went to the scj head. how much hp do you have, will you be happy with 1-7/8'' i know that that size goes along way. i have a set of duels with the flanges welded on to 2'' pipe back to packs and dump rite before the axle, there damn nere new if you were locale and they were something you could use id say take em! they were the first set i built there a lttle to small now. that header is a quality piece

F'in sweet! thats what Ill get then. as far as horsepower... Im not real sure. ive got some work to do. the crate motor is advertised at 600ish if i remember correctly. thing is I didnt buy it from ford, my old neighbor did. he had some things changed because he wanted to use it for towing. (cam and cam timing) not sure what else, but i remember he said there was more. I do know that the way it is (except open headers) it made a smoke show at 55. no slouch but needs tuned. ive got 2 1/4 inch exhaust thats run real nice in the truck from the old motor, i think ill use that with electric cutouts for now. thanks for the offer though!

[jeffery2304]

did you go online and look at them. when i bought mine i was looking at pics in a catalog. its a quality piece but will it physically work for yea,as far as exaust routing , cosmetics, the drivers side looks nothing like the passenger side and hugs the block really tight. for example if you have a rear sump pan the one that kicks out ,used on the later crate motors it ain happenin i tried it ! but does work with the typical rear sump . just throwing it out there , just want you to be happy with what you get. got some pics of that truck.

keep me posted!

[70shortwide]

thanks for the heads up, ive got a front sump so im in the clear! still havent ordered these things. been pretty busy lately. kinda nice to have things to do, ive been bored for about 8 months.

[DuckRyder]

1/2 the 2wd's I see have that crossmember cut out anyway, why not just remove it?

If you mean the crossmember between the radius arm mounts, drive one with and one without and it will all become clear.