Well I picked up my new 88 formula the other day. The headers are extremely warped and you can actually see a fireball in between the head and header flange.

They look like they were cheap summit/jegs/flowtech junk to begin with. I really want to drive my car ASAP, so I started hunting down some locally.

Only reasonable ones I've found were shorties for a chevy pickup and a generic "street rod" style header. I really want to get the street rod header, as it is stainless, brand new, 1 5/8 primaries and CHEAP for what it is.

Will these fit the car though? I can't help but wonder if anyone here has tried them out.

 

If they are the block-hugger style I really doubt they will fit. They will probably hit the k-member. You will notice third gen headers exit to the rear to clear the k-member, not straight down like block-huggers. The next problem with the block-huggers would be the y-pipe. How would you connect them to the rest of the exhaust?

 

To my knowledge - Pretty much the only headers that fit these cars are headers designed for them - after 5 years as a member here on TGO, I've never seen anyone with anything other than 82-92 F-Body designed headers.

 

thanks for the info. I figured as much, but couldn't hurt to ask just in case.

Anyone know how forgiving a very soft gasket is to warped headers?

 

I'd try an Earl's Dead Soft gasket - they are thick, almost 1/4", until you put them in and tighten the bolts, then they squish where they need to. They are soft aluminum or copper (I think either is available, I used aluminum), and they seal really well. Available off the shelf at AZ usually, about $40.

 

Pretty good, but dont expect a miracle

A better solution would be to cut the flange in between the primaries so the tubes can flex on their own more and not pull away from the gasket. May not help if they're beyond hope, but its a free mod that may solve the issue

 

wow.... how did I not think of that....

I'll give it a try soon and post some results. Have to get some new header bolts first since these ones have seen better days.

I noticed that header bolts come in 3/4" and 1" lengths. I'm using a 70's head on my setup.. could it be possible the previous owner used 1" and they are bottoming out in the head? Because I cranked these things TIGHT as much as I felt the bolt head could take and there's still a pretty good gap there.

 

anything is possible. usually the 1" bolts are needed with headers with 3/8" flanges. he could be useing some crazy bolt thats even longer, pop one one and see whats up

I would just try cutting the flanged between the tubes and using new gaskets and bolts before buying headers.

and for what its worth, there was agut on here a little while back who put the block huggers on, he didnt have good pics, and couldnt describe anything worth a damn, but he had to do something with raising the engine mounts about 1" and some other crazy stuff to get them to work. So they are pretty much not worth your time.

 

Use 3/4" bolts. If the head doesnt snug down, itll never seal

 

Sounds like a plan. I confirmed that the injectors are 24# fords. Can't wait to find out what cam is in it after this, I know it can't be the factory roller so it's probably something ridiculous for an efi motor on a stock tune.... exciting stuff.