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Old 11-13-2023, 01:35 AM   #1
21stud
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Default Cast iron Fenton headers

Do you guys know when Fenton headers for flatheads first appeared? I think early fifties?

Did a search HAMB, but didn't find this.

Thanks!
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Old 11-13-2023, 09:02 AM   #2
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

I know nothing about their debut date but I do know the originals are a lot better quality than the repros. I was fortunate to have snagged a set of NOS never mounted headers a few years ago. Using them on my current Flathead powered deuce roadster project.
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Old 11-14-2023, 08:55 AM   #3
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

I have NOS Fenton headers, heads, & intake on my '51 Victoria. The gentleman I purchased the car from had saved them for many years in the boxes until he found the right car to use them on.

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Old 11-14-2023, 09:13 AM   #4
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Here's an interesting read on Fenton. You were right about the 50's. http://kustomrama.com/wiki/Fenton
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Old 11-14-2023, 12:05 PM   #5
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

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Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio View Post
I have NOS Fenton headers, heads, & intake on my '51 Victoria. The gentleman I purchased the car from had saved them for many years in the boxes until he found the right car to use them on.

Stay Safe!
Pat
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Old 11-14-2023, 12:10 PM   #6
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

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Here's an interesting read on Fenton. You were right about the 50's. http://kustomrama.com/wiki/Fenton
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Old 11-14-2023, 01:07 PM   #7
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

I have had a set on my '51 since 1987. I had no problem finding them new then. I drive the car on a regular basis during the summer. When I installed a different engine in 2016, everything looked excellent, so I just bolted them back on. Seven years later they are still looking and sounding like new.

(I know "Fenton's" are not supposed to fit into a "Shoebox" Ford, but with a custom made driver's side headpipe, they went right in.)
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Old 11-16-2023, 01:03 AM   #8
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Thank you all,

That's very nice ad! It's said to be from 1953, earliest I've seen.

I agree, original Fentons are the way to go.
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Old 11-16-2023, 10:51 AM   #9
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Interesting in the Fenton ad above the Flathead headers show a 3 bolt outlet flange but my NOS pair have a 2 bolt flange, 2 bolt is all I've ever seen?
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Old 11-16-2023, 05:52 PM   #10
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

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Originally Posted by Krylon32 View Post
Interesting in the Fenton ad above the Flathead headers show a 3 bolt outlet flange but my NOS pair have a 2 bolt flange, 2 bolt is all I've ever seen?
Those are the Oldsmobile headers with the 3 bolt flange
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Old 11-16-2023, 06:53 PM   #11
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Thanks. They look a lot alike? I'm darn sure no expert.
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Old 11-16-2023, 07:54 PM   #12
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

303 Olds Fenton headers



Flathead Ford Fenton headers

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Old 11-16-2023, 07:58 PM   #13
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Good job Neil, gave Pete the night off !
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Old 11-17-2023, 08:04 AM   #14
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

The Flathead Fentons above that take the long left side center lower bolt to my knowledge are the original early Fentons. I have 4 sets of the I’ve accumulated.
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Old 11-17-2023, 08:42 AM   #15
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

The NOS pair I have are the early style with the long center bolt. I've been looking for a pair of 2 inch exhaust flanges but all I can find are the thin 1/4 inch universal flanges with the slotted mounting holes. Any suggestions of where to find the correct flanges?
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Old 11-17-2023, 06:25 PM   #16
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Are my early NOS Fenton FH headers something odd? They are designed for a 1.75 exhaust pipe and the exhaust flange bolt holes are 2 15/16th on center. I've never tried them on my motor. Mine look like the ones Neal shows above. Any ideas? I'm stumped.

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Old 11-17-2023, 07:27 PM   #17
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

I just made the flanges from flat stock myself. I did use 1.75 pipe for the rest of the car, but if memory is correct, I think the flange hole was bigger. Long time ago, don't take that as proven fact. Mine are recent production I'm sure, a swap meet buy.
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Old 11-18-2023, 10:59 AM   #18
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

I just made a pair of flanges out of the very last of some 5/16" flat plate I had left from another job. They're for 2" exhaust tubing. On the commercially available off the shelf flanges, they seem to want to slot all the mounting flanges.... it's a prevalent thing now on both 2 hole and 3 hole exhaust flanges.
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Old 11-18-2023, 12:13 PM   #19
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1948F-1Pickup View Post
I just made a pair of flanges out of the very last of some 5/16" flat plate I had left from another job. They're for 2" exhaust tubing. On the commercially available off the shelf flanges, they seem to want to slot all the mounting flanges.... it's a prevalent thing now on both 2 hole and 3 hole exhaust flanges.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0
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Old 11-18-2023, 07:40 PM   #20
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Default Re: Cast iron Fenton headers

Decided to sell them and go a different direction.
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