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FPA Headers |
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geno8769 
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Joined: 28-December-2007 Location: Louisiana Status: Offline Points: 105 |
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 Topic: FPA HeadersPosted: 28-October-2013 at 2:33AM |
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I bought a set of FPA headers for my 73 GTS, with a 351C/C6 combo.
They fit great and went on from the top. Just wanted to let everyone know they are awesome.
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1973 GTS "Q" Motor
2019 F250 CC 6.7 4x4 STX https://www.youtube.com/user/geno8769 |
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GranTorinoSport
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Admin of "The Org" Joined: 20-May-2003 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 2290 |
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Posted: 28-October-2013 at 3:55AM |
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Geno, thank you. This is good information!
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Scott Eklund
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OleDutchD
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Joined: 02-August-2003 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 151 |
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Posted: 29-October-2013 at 10:19AM |
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Glad to hear of your success! Been a while (and a different engine/tranny combo...), but I'll second FPA's fitment, and Stan Johnson's knowledge of his product, and Ford architecture, in general.
When I was looking for long-tubes for my '72 with a 351W/C6 package, a few years back (they don't officially exist anywhere), I gave Stan a call. FPA lists a 351W/C6 swap header, as patterned in a '68 Mustang, that he felt may fit. He sold them to me un-plated (used to be a standard chrome finish) and said if they didn't fit, as shipped, he'd take them back! They went in from the bottom and only required a 1/4" shim at the engine mounts to clear the steering box. Very close, but completely interference free! They cleared the tranny on either side by three or four inches and the collectors tucked up near the floor pan. Completely hidden from view and road bumps. Hope yours work as well as mine have! |
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Just an analog guy stuck in a digital world!
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TV 2M8O
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Joined: 20-September-2006 Location: Southern Ohio Status: Offline Points: 2153 |
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Posted: 29-October-2013 at 1:10PM |
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Wish the same could be said for the FPA 460 shorties! PapaDeath had a real battle getting them installed and fitment was lacking... based upon his build thread. I'm talking with Crites to see if I can persuade Charles to do a 460 shortie.... THAT FITS!
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 TV 2M8O OUT JOE 1976 Gran Torino S&H season 2-4 Clone Project Blog: http://tv2m8o.blogspot.com/ |
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GranTorinoSport
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Posted: 29-October-2013 at 4:25PM |
460 shorties would be so nice. Having the fight going on now with installing 460 headers, I would love to have a set of shorties. And it's not like the headers don't fit (Hookers), they do - it's all the other stuff around it that causes problems... Again, shorties would be nice, but I think I said that already!
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Scott Eklund
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72GTS351CJ
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Posted: 30-October-2013 at 12:02AM |
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They fit perfect in my 72 351c 4spd w/ac. Unlike hooker the ground clearance is awesome. You don't have to worry about the collector ripping off when you hit a bump in the road. Also after a year and a half the finish still looks new. Worth every penny. Thanks. ....Rick
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72GTS Clint Eastwood Special
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CJJ
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Joined: 10-January-2021 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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Posted: 02-November-2021 at 10:51AM |
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any update on the 460 headers?looking to buy some for my 76 Torino, but want a smooth fit. Thanks
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lynchster
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Joined: 07-January-2006 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 2150 |
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Posted: 14-January-2024 at 3:40PM |
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Nothing like dredging up an old post.
Even after having a cost prohibitive exhaust system put on the car I'm considering going with the FPA headers. It was always a possibility, the current system is only stainless from the mufflers back. I had flanges welded onto the mufflers to either swap out the mid pipes or to at least remove them for clutch / trans work. Anyway, what can be told about the install? I've learned it's bottom up with the starter removed. How about the steering box and z bar linkage? Does the engine have to be raised?
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Chuck
72 Gran Torino Sport 13 Taurus SHO "Mr Pig" |
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72 RS 351
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Posted: 14-January-2024 at 4:12PM |
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Hi Chuck, do you have a 351C or the 460? The FPA for the 351C are on their site with this pic; http://www.fordpowertrain.com/351C.htm I received the Hooker headers last year for my 73, unpainted. I don't know how they will fit yet, but they do look well made. The 70's Fords are big enough in the bay that usually you don't have to raise the engine. Though the starter will be close, the huge old style were always close. I'd consider using a modern small starter if you haven't already.
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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 |
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lynchster
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Posted: 14-January-2024 at 8:43PM |
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That would be pertinent information. It's a Cleveland with a 4 spd.
Definitely going with a starter upgrade. I just thought I'd see what someone might have run into already.
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Chuck
72 Gran Torino Sport 13 Taurus SHO "Mr Pig" |
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72 RS 351
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Posted: 15-January-2024 at 3:01AM |
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The old Torino's had a smaller chassis and the space for headers in those is less. That's where you read often of installation issues with the steering parts. I don't recall any big issues when I installed headers into my 72 in 1981. But that's too long ago, I was a high school senior with limited abilities. The fit of the headers is a bigger deal, whether they hang down too lot etc. I doubt you will have much trouble installing them, just typical stuff getting them in place. Have you thought of the collector flanges for the future, whether to keep the flat four bolt type as they come with? I hated the two sets I've had, leaks were terrible in my first, the 72, and just one blow caused a leak in my 2nd car with headers. I got this set uncoated so I could weld on a v-band flange which is much better. Then I'll get them coated by a local company, after I'm happy with how they fit.
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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 |
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SunsetSeizin73
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Joined: 05-December-2021 Location: San Diego, Ca Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Posted: 15-January-2024 at 2:27PM |
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I have a set of FPA headers on the way to fit my 351c 4speed, no a/c car. Probably a month or 2 away from install. Wait time was 8 weeks from order from
Stan. Can’t wait to throw them on the 393 build
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Thanks,
Matt To the unplugged yet connected 1973 Gran Torino Sport 351 4V, Q code, 4spd, 3.50 open diff |
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Eliteman76
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Posted: 18-January-2024 at 4:25PM |
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Guys, I went with an Orielly's Optima starter, for a 1988 Ford Bronco, 351W with 5 speed.
Other options out there I have seen 351C guys post about using 1991-1994 Ford Explorer 4.0 V6 starters, they are a gear reduction unit and work well on V8's, from posts I recall seeing long ago. I have no personal experience with the swap, but did own a '91 Explorer Sport with a 4.0 V6 and can confirm the starters in those have no problem really cranking away. Must better than the large heavy 1970's units. Powermaster makes some nice quality gear reduction Ford starters. Myself? I've been using that Orielly's '88 bronco starter, smaller diameter than the stock 70's unit and has no issues cranking over my 351C. Plenty of space within reason for my headers.
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 Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
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Inkara1
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Joined: 17-November-2021 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: 18-January-2024 at 10:43PM |
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I'm using a stock starter for a 1995 Mustang 5.0 auto trans on my 351C/C6. It's a PMGR mini starter, so I get all the benefits of that while paying like $80 instead of $300-plus for an aftermarket mini starter. Plus, if it does crap out, I'm sure I can find one at any parts store wherever I might be. If you have a 351C or 351W with an automatic transmission, the stock 5.0 PMGR starter (1992-up) bolts right in regardless of which flexplate you have. Things get more complicated with manual transmissions because there are different flywheels. For wiring, the PMGR starter has a solenoid on it, so I ran a smaller wire from the starter side of the solenoid on the fender down to the solenoid on the starter to trigger it, then a cable directly from battery power.
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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.
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Rockatansky
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Posted: 19-January-2024 at 9:09AM |
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what was the question? we're on starters now .... RobbMc does a starter
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72 GT Ute
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Inkara1
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Joined: 17-November-2021 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: 19-January-2024 at 9:00PM |
$311 is a lot for a starter since a stock PMGR mini starter for a '95 Mustang that fits is like 1/4 the price, but being able to twist the starter around so the solenoid is as far from the headers as possible is a very nice feature.
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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.
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72 RS 351
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Posted: 20-January-2024 at 11:32AM |
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The 1996-2001 Explorer 302 starter is the newest application of a SBF, a six year run, and they all had the ring connector on the trigger wire terminal. The earlier models need the upgrade to the ring terminal, the prior used the male/female style that gets loose or corrodes over time. Note they all vary slightly in the shape of the face part that mates to the opening of the separator plate etc. Some might result in a little gap there, maybe interference in the opposite swaps. So test fit it by hand before actually bolting one in.
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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 |
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lynchster
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Posted: 20-January-2024 at 5:06PM |
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I appreciate the knowledge everyone!
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Chuck
72 Gran Torino Sport 13 Taurus SHO "Mr Pig" |
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lynchster
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Posted: 20-January-2024 at 5:07PM |
If you think about it I'd like to know how you made out.
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Chuck
72 Gran Torino Sport 13 Taurus SHO "Mr Pig" |
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TV 2M8O wrote: