| tpls46ford | -- 07-19-2025 @ 1:21 PM |
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Thinking of installing headers on my 1946 Ford Super deluxe convertible. Flathead V8. Have read several articles how the factory exhaust actually contributes to over heating. Mine is constantly overheating. Has anyone installed them on a 46 ford tom
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| JayChicago | -- 07-19-2025 @ 2:38 PM |
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I have no real experience with this, and others may see this differently. But here's my take on it: Maybe those articles were talking about the inherent flathead problem with heating, the exhaust travels across the block before exiting into an exhaust pipe? Going to headers won't change that. And I don't see how headers can make things cooler. I recall reading that someone had a flathead on a dyno and was surprised to find that headers made no performance improvement over stock exhaust pipes.
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| carcrazy | -- 07-19-2025 @ 2:41 PM |
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If you want to install headers on your Flathead Ford V-8, the best and most durable headers you will find are the cast iron headers made by Fenton. One vendor who sells them is Speedway. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Fenton-Ford-Flathead-V8-Cast-Iron-Headers-w-Gaskets,1726.html
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| 51504bat | -- 07-19-2025 @ 4:37 PM |
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Give Red's Headers a call https://reds-headers.net/ Address: 62400 Chiriaco Rd, Chiriaco Summit, CA 92201 Phone: (760) 343-2590 ______________ No signature
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| tpls46ford | -- 07-20-2025 @ 7:56 AM |
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My main reason for going with headers would be to help the engine run cooler. With the factory restrictive exhaust system and the exhaust pipes under the front of the engine it is always running hot! Hoping for a cooler engine by going with headers tom tom
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| tpls46ford | -- 07-20-2025 @ 7:59 AM |
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Have had good experiences with Speedway. That's where I will go. thanks tom
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| 51woodie | -- 07-20-2025 @ 8:09 AM |
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Tom. I have a stock '46 Super Deluxe Coupe, and have no issues with overheating. I run 180 stats, stock rad, new style pumps and a six blade fan, which I believe is actually a truck fan according to the "Green Bible", and a 4PSI cap. There are a number of items I would look at before changing headers. Condition of radiator, upper and lower rad shrouds and seals, old vs new style water pumps, thermostats and locations (cocked sideways in hose), ignition timing and carb jetting.
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| carcrazy | -- 07-20-2025 @ 8:20 AM |
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One way to cutdown on under hood heat is to wrap all of the exhaust pipes that are within that space. Speedway and other vendors offer exhaust wraps to accomplish this. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Search?query=exhaust%20wrap
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| tpls46ford | -- 07-20-2025 @ 1:40 PM |
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Have new pumps, new aluminum radiator, new 160 thermostats and a new 6 blade electric fan. My factory top shroud seal does not fit tight up against the new radiator. I'll get that tighter and see what happens. My thought was with the restrictive exhaust if I eliminated that and got the exhaust pipes away from the front of the engine it might run cooler. I also did the test for a bad head gasket. It was not bad. Appreciate your feedback. thanks tom tom
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| TomO | -- 07-22-2025 @ 1:32 PM |
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I have Fenton headers on my car and there was very little difference in the temperature before and after the headers were installed. Tom
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| kubes40 | -- 07-22-2025 @ 1:37 PM |
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TPLS, With a stock flatty and stock exhaust, there is virtually no restriction. Listen to TomO, he's about as sharp a guy as you will encounter with these cars... Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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