The Ford Barn

AnthonyG · 03-26-2021, 02:27 PM

Hi guys, ( keep in mind while an experience mechanic on newer overhead valve engines it is my 1st & only Flathead)! So, the left header (Reds Headers) is throwing me curves @ every turn

! 1st had to loosen engine mounts, drag the engine hoist out lifting left side of engine to get enough clearance past the steering box to get header in place, no biggie just a PIA in a tight garage maneuvering the hoist after I thought I was done with it & put it away. So I got all the hardware installed on the right side & guess I didn’t relize or don’t remember when taking them off but I’m realizing the mounting hardware is two sizes (I started project over a year ago & health issues prevented finishing til now) The left side has all the top bolts & hole sizes on the headers is for 7/16-14 & all the lowers on that side are 3/8-16 then the right side only the 1st upper is also 7/16-14 then all the rest on that side are 3/8-16. This can’t be standard? Or is it? The finish inside all the header mounting holes is same as in headers (aluminized ceramic I think). So headers made this way. On a side note the heads on the 7/16 hardware doesn’t allow using a socket wrench as it’s almost against the header tubes so a open end is required. Seems maybe at some point internal threads striped & retapped to 7/16? Maybe Reds worked with engine builder to make mounting holes custom?

Mart · 03-26-2021, 02:32 PM

Anthony. The front ports are 7/16 top and bottom and the middle and rear ports are 3/8. The headers typically have holes in them that are big enough to go over the 7/16 bolts at the front but the rears are a loose fit on the 3/8 bolts.

That's how it should be.

If you have any non front exhaust port bolt holes that are not 3/8 thread they must have been modified by a previous owner.

Mart.

51 MERC-CT · 03-26-2021, 02:51 PM

At least you caught that the front holes are 7/16".
Seem to recall a few posts here wanting to know where to get Helicoil inserts to fix the stripped front holes.
Would be interesting to find out why Ford did it this way.

Kube · 03-26-2021, 02:56 PM

It is much easier to use hex socket bolts. A guy can get a hex key (aka Allen Wrench) in there a lot easier than an open end wrench.

Mart · 03-26-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

At least you caught that the front holes are 7/16".
Seem to recall a few posts here wanting to know where to get Helicoil inserts to fix the stripped front holes.
Would be interesting to find out why Ford did it this way.

Merc, My guess is that they had bigger fixings at the front ports because the earlier ones had the exhaust system attached at the front port. If you think about it, the later manifolds have 7/16" studs where the exhaust system attaches.

AnthonyG · 03-26-2021, 03:32 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Very interesting!! The education never stops

! Thx for the education!!!

Will D · 03-26-2021, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

Very interesting!! The education never stops

! Thx for the education!!!

Aren't these guys awesome! You never stop learning here.

AnthonyG · 03-26-2021, 04:23 PM

JWL · 03-26-2021, 04:33 PM

Several companies have 12 point screws with reduced wrench diameter but with shoulder washer. Absolutely the best solution for using a socket and ratchet.

AnthonyG · 03-26-2021, 05:01 PM

Sounds like a good idea, also like Kube’s using socket bolts & Allen wrench, seems access would be much easier!

03-26-2021, 02:27 PM	#1
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,217	Seem odd, sanity check :eek: Hi guys, ( keep in mind while an experience mechanic on newer overhead valve engines it is my 1st & only Flathead)! So, the left header (Reds Headers) is throwing me curves @ every turn ! 1st had to loosen engine mounts, drag the engine hoist out lifting left side of engine to get enough clearance past the steering box to get header in place, no biggie just a PIA in a tight garage maneuvering the hoist after I thought I was done with it & put it away. So I got all the hardware installed on the right side & guess I didn’t relize or don’t remember when taking them off but I’m realizing the mounting hardware is two sizes (I started project over a year ago & health issues prevented finishing til now) The left side has all the top bolts & hole sizes on the headers is for 7/16-14 & all the lowers on that side are 3/8-16 then the right side only the 1st upper is also 7/16-14 then all the rest on that side are 3/8-16. This can’t be standard? Or is it? The finish inside all the header mounting holes is same as in headers (aluminized ceramic I think). So headers made this way. On a side note the heads on the 7/16 hardware doesn’t allow using a socket wrench as it’s almost against the header tubes so a open end is required. Seems maybe at some point internal threads striped & retapped to 7/16? Maybe Reds worked with engine builder to make mounting holes custom? __________________ Nomad

03-26-2021, 02:32 PM	#2
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,088	Re: Seem odd, sanity check :eek: Anthony. The front ports are 7/16 top and bottom and the middle and rear ports are 3/8. The headers typically have holes in them that are big enough to go over the 7/16 bolts at the front but the rears are a loose fit on the 3/8 bolts. That's how it should be. If you have any non front exhaust port bolt holes that are not 3/8 thread they must have been modified by a previous owner. Mart.

03-26-2021, 02:51 PM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Seem odd, sanity check :eek: At least you caught that the front holes are 7/16". Seem to recall a few posts here wanting to know where to get Helicoil inserts to fix the stripped front holes. Would be interesting to find out why Ford did it this way. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-26-2021, 02:56 PM	#4
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,852	Re: Seem odd, sanity check :eek: It is much easier to use hex socket bolts. A guy can get a hex key (aka Allen Wrench) in there a lot easier than an open end wrench. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

03-26-2021, 03:32 PM	#6
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,217	Re: Seem odd, sanity check :eek: Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Very interesting!! The education never stops ! Thx for the education!!! __________________ Nomad

03-26-2021, 04:23 PM	#8
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,217	Re: Seem odd, sanity check :eek: __________________ Nomad

03-26-2021, 04:33 PM	#9
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Seem odd, sanity check :eek: Several companies have 12 point screws with reduced wrench diameter but with shoulder washer. Absolutely the best solution for using a socket and ratchet.

03-26-2021, 05:01 PM	#10
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,217	Re: Seem odd, sanity check :eek: Sounds like a good idea, also like Kube’s using socket bolts & Allen wrench, seems access would be much easier! __________________ Nomad