Adding long tube headers on a 1970 Ford Torino 302

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   Hey all -

I'm thinking about swapping out the stock headers for a set of long tube headers on my mostly-stock 1970 Ford Torino 302 and my question is this:

If I'm considering the theoretical swap of an engine (replace existing engine for an updated and built 302 or 351) can I add a set of headers to the existing motor, preserving them if I do the swap, or should I wait to replace them (and the resulting exhaust work) until after the swap?

My thinking is that I can do the header replacement and resulting exhaust work for the price of parts and the help of a friend so I could do that now while take care of other, much much more expensive projects on the car and eventually maybe getting to an engine swap or rebuild. I recognize that there might have to be modifications to the exhaust to accommodate any motor changes.

Is this worth it, or is this dumb for some idea I haven't considered yet?

The motor itself is a stock replacement crate engine with an aftermarket manifold and 4-barrel carb.

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agrikk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 29-July-2024 Location: Seattle, WA Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote agrikk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Adding long tube headers on a 1970 Ford Torino 302 Posted: 31-January-2025 at 8:30AM
	Hey all - I'm thinking about swapping out the stock headers for a set of long tube headers on my mostly-stock 1970 Ford Torino 302 and my question is this: If I'm considering the theoretical swap of an engine (replace existing engine for an updated and built 302 or 351) can I add a set of headers to the existing motor, preserving them if I do the swap, or should I wait to replace them (and the resulting exhaust work) until after the swap? My thinking is that I can do the header replacement and resulting exhaust work for the price of parts and the help of a friend so I could do that now while take care of other, much much more expensive projects on the car and eventually maybe getting to an engine swap or rebuild. I recognize that there might have to be modifications to the exhaust to accommodate any motor changes. Is this worth it, or is this dumb for some idea I haven't considered yet? The motor itself is a stock replacement crate engine with an aftermarket manifold and 4-barrel carb.

CobraJoe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20-August-2024 Location: MA Status: Offline Points: 500	Post Options Post Reply Quote CobraJoe Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31-January-2025 at 8:36AM
	If you go to a 351W from a 302, the headers will bolt to the head (they both use the same head) but the 351 has an inch taller deck and therefore is wider, so I doubt that you could make them work. Just my $0.02
	1968 Torino GT F Code '96 Bronco, '39 Ford Coupe, '57 Fairlane, SOLD 2025 F150 SuperCrew, 2025 Edge Platinum

Inkara1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17-November-2021 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Status: Offline Points: 515	Post Options Post Reply Quote Inkara1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31-January-2025 at 8:42AM
	302 headers will bolt onto a 351W just fine, but not a 351C. The 351W is a bit taller and wider than a 302, so you'd have to reroute the exhaust pipes to be higher up and farther apart when you put in the 351. I don't know if the new routing would cause clearance issues with the steering box, transmission, firewall, etc.
	1972 Gran Torino station wagon, light blue, 351C 2V, prior owner upgraded to 4V (2V heads), originally had a C4 but prior owner changed to C6 for some reason.

agrikk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 29-July-2024 Location: Seattle, WA Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote agrikk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31-January-2025 at 4:07PM
	Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have to rethink this.

Rockatansky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rockatansky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-February-2025 at 5:26AM
	yes before you purchase long tube headers you'll need to decide which engine you'll be using, the headers are different. also be aware that if you swap to a newer built 302 in 1981 Ford changed the balance factor of the crankshaft from 28 in.oz to 50 in.oz so the harmonic and flywheel / flex plates are weighted differently. 351W's did not change balance so your existing flywheel / flex plate can swap over another potential issue is if your transmission has a 157 tooth flywheel / flex plate, the stock starter will locate very close to the oil pan possibly interfering. you may need to go to a 'mini' type starter which requires a wiring modification, not insurmountable but required. 351C's & 351W's all came from the factory with a 164 tooth transmission configuration Edited by Rockatansky - 01-February-2025 at 5:34AM
	72 GT Ute

72 RS 351 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Offline Points: 3443	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72 RS 351 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-February-2025 at 12:36PM
	For the starter, for possibly any SBF, find an Explorer 302 model. That was the last SBF ever made, and the trigger terminal changed for those, it's a ring terminal instead of a spade. Ford updated the old part numbers to revise the starters with the ring terminal. Parts books for some 80's and early 90's 302 now call for that ring terminal, aftermarket companies make them that way, with a short pigtail to convert the older wiring of the car. Those OEM starters are all the small type, relatively very strong, reliable, and rebuildable. Which means find any 1996-01 Explorer starter, and have it rebuilt. That should be as good as any new one, not counting the high dollar aftermarket race stuff. Be sure to test fit when you get any starter that isn't a known correct application part, there are some differences in the mounting plate shape. I don't know if any might interfere with various engine/trans years. I just noticed a little difference when I put an Explorer starter on my 91 Mark VII(which is a 302 HO engine). It fit fine, but that end that meshes with the hole in the separator plate wasn't identical. That's what I plan to use on both of my 351C's, both with 4R70W's.
	*Don* 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W