1938 ford headers
 

I'd like to put duels on my 38 coupe flathead (8rt). Love the sound! I'm concerned about which style that will clear my steering gear box. Can anyone tell me which type they use that will work. Thanks Mike

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

I can't tell you specifically about a '38, but I have Fenton cast iron headers on my '51 and I had them on a '36 coupe. As I remember, I had to raise the engine (8BA) in the '36 a little from where I had it originally to make the headers fit. They are supposed to fit with a stock engine. They fit fine on my '51, even though they are not supposed to fit shoeboxes. It took a little effort to make a proper drivers side headpipe.

I love the way Fentons sound, and they have the advantage of being very durable and maintenance free. I installed mine on the '51 in 1987. Last summer, I had to change engines in the '51. Upon close inspection, the exhaust system was still solid as a rock. Back in the day, it was not uncommon for a set of tube headers to rust through in 4 or five years and they sometimes had a tinny, rattly sound that was in contrast to the low rumble from the Fenton's.

One caveat : I haven't bought any for about 25 years, but I hear there are some reproduction Fenton's out there that do not fit as well as originals. Perhaps someone else out there has some more specific answer about this.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

I just put duals on my '40. I used the ones from Speedway that are designed to clear a Vega box. Worked perfect. Make sure your exhaust shop gets the left connector pipe out of the way of the clutch pedal when it is depressed. I used these same headers on another '40 that had an 8BA motor.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

Another caveat. I just bought a set of new in the box center dump Speedway headers from another member here. They looked very nice, but didn't fit. I had to enlarge several of the the mounting holes to get them on. Plus, they didn't supply the proper fasteners. They knew enough to know that front holes take 7/16" bolts, but not enough to send any 7/16" fasteners. They did send 16 3/8" header bolts, all of which were a little too long and had to have about 1/8" taken off the end. I think it is their standard SBC installation set.

I'd like to emphasize that this is not a knock on the guy that sold them to me as I think I got a smokin' deal. And, as I said, they look real nice. Getting them to fit and getting the proper fasteners was a little irritating and shouldn't happen at the price Speedway charges. All in all I like them fine now that they're on.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

Both times my headers came with the proper bolts for a flathead and they fit fine without any modifications. They also came with excellent quality gaskets. Just for info the bolts that came with the headers were in a sealed bag and the gaskets were in a sealed blister pack. If your headers were new they should have come the same way.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

I used the stock manifolds to put duals on my 40. Sound just as good as expensive cast iron headers and work just as well on a stock engine,with cheap glass packs.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

I put Fentons on my '39...bought them from Patrick's.....based on his statement that so far they've all fit. I did, however, have to modify my dip stick on a 59AB. Very satisfied with the fit and sound.

I just put duals on my '47, but this time chose Red's Headers.....bolted up both sides in about an hour and everything fit like a dream.....actually much better than re-installing the stock manifolds after an engine rebuild. Only regret is that I should have gotten them powder coated....the steel does rust. Eastwood's manifold paint would be good also, but I don't have the enthusiasm to take them apart right now!!

Best of luck....Dick.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

Ditto the clutch pedal clearance warning. Mine took a trip back into the muffler shop to flatten the pipe a bit in that area.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

I have a 38 dlx coupe and a 38 conv coupe, Iordered the headers and complete exaust system from Red Headers for both cars, they fit with no problems

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

Are you referring to the same Speedway stainless steel "center dump" headers I was referring to? Mine were in the original box and the fasteners and gaskets were in sealed bags as well. They were advertised as "new in the box" and they sure looked like it. Someone MAY have substitued sealed bags of fasteners, and gaskets, but I think that is highly unlikely. The fact remains that they DID NOT fit with out enlarging several bolt holes. The bottom holes on the center exhaust port were especially problematic.

The most likely situation is that my headers were issued early on and Speedway became aware of the problems and corrected them. I certainly hope that's the case.

Re: 1938 ford headers
 

No mine were not the stainless ones, nor were they center dump type. I only commented because you bought yours on the secondary market and I wanted to let you know how mine came packaged right from Speedway. It's possible that Speedway buys those headers from someone else and all they do is sell them the way they come from the manufacturer. Not making excuses for them as they should check to make sure all is correct before they sell them.