HEADER OPTIONS FOR A CROWN VIC IFS SWAP

[moore7568]

So I have this 68 SWB truck that originally had the 318 3 on the tree and the straight axle on leafs. She is currently sporting a 505 Stroker with a Crown Vic IFS and a 47RE with a bell housing swap that has really made the truck a lot of fun to drive. Problem is I cant find a long tube header option that will fit. So far I've tried B-Body, but the options are limited. Any ideas??

[Hobcobble]

If all else fails.... get yourself a pair of '69-'70 HP style cast iron manifolds.
I put up with headers on my '67 Coronet R/T for far too long.

John

[moore7568]

The 505 Wedge needs to breath. Searching for a few more Horses for the combo and the long tubes sound so much better. I have a set of ebay shorty's in place now, but I've had to weld them up a few times to keep them going. I have 3" pipes all the way out, just need to figure out a long tube solution.

[soopernaut]

What block is used to make a 505 stroker? Hedman was one of the few companies that made headers that fit 61-68 Dodge trucks, but I don't know what differences a CV swap creates or if you have any stock crossmembers.

[Wildergarten]

The 505 Wedge needs to breath. Searching for a few more Horses for the combo and the long tubes sound so much better. I have a set of ebay shorty's in place now, but I've had to weld them up a few times to keep them going. I have 3" pipes all the way out, just need to figure out a long tube solution.

I've never seen a pipe with blind stubs hanging off just before turning to the crossover.
Looks like they're supposed to deal with certain resonant frequencies.
Can you explain those?
Thanks,
Mark

[chilort]

The 68 and older is a pain because of the extra cross member. I used Hooker Headers but no longer see them available. On an RB block, the difference in height makes for interesting exhaust routing. I cut out the extra cross member and it still took some work.

Some pictures in my build thread from myself and others.
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=21741&start=80

[BigBlockTrucks]

The 505 Wedge needs to breath. Searching for a few more Horses for the combo and the long tubes sound so much better. I have a set of ebay shorty's in place now, but I've had to weld them up a few times to keep them going. I have 3" pipes all the way out, just need to figure out a long tube solution.

I've never seen a pipe with blind stubs hanging off just before turning to the crossover.
Looks like they're supposed to deal with certain resonant frequencies.
Can you explain those?
Thanks,
Mark

I questioned this myself.
My guess is exhaust turn outs to run open headers.

[moore7568]

The stubs are for the exhaust dumps. These were fitted up with tack welds and waiting on tigging when I took the picture

[moore7568]

The 505 Stroker is based on the 440 block.
The Crown Vic swap is the root of the header problem. Had to narrow the frame rails about 2" to fit the IFS and had to go with a rear sump oil pan to clear as well. Probably goin to have to have a set made or modified to fit

[chilort]

Looks nice. Also, what extra cross member??! I feel less bad about chopping mine out now.

Hooker used to make them. Doesn't look like they offer them any more but maybe you can get some clearance:
https://fcrcmachine.com/hooker-headers- ... 0-5810hkr/

[moore7568]

With the CV swap, you have to remove all the cross members from the frame, including the original motor mounts. The CV IFS is a complete unit that cradles the frame rails and bolts in place. Surprisingly simple install if you are handy with a torch, welding machine and tape measure. The unit doesn't even need to be aligned after install because its all dialed into the complete unit

[bw406]

Great looking truck!
Perhaps shorty headers would solve your problem? They may subtract a few horsepower but that 505 has plenty to spare.
I used shorty headers on my truck with the Crown Vic front clip. Not a big block Chrysler but it runs great and made things easy.

[Doright]

Great looking truck
Did you reach out to Hooker to possibly build you a set ? They used to do a Lot of one off stuff back in the 80s.
So did Headman but that was before the corporations bought out these small mom and Pop shops.

You never know till you call and ask.

I gave up on looking for a set of Long tubes for my 07 Jeep Commander and bought a set for an 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee basically same truck BUT their are some differences that will require me to do some cutting and welding to make them work.

Love to know were you got the info for the front end swap?

[Conductorblg]

I agree, the truck looks terrific. You might have to get bunch of mandrel bends and a set of starter tubes/flanges and grow your own. I picked up a set of 3/8" flanges with starter tubes from Hell Gate Hot Rods for a small block (LA) years ago, but as I have never needed to build headers from them, never got around to acquiring all the mandrel bends needed to put together a set. Just out of curiosity, what are you using to control the RE transmission? I used a 47RH in mine because it only needed 2 pressure switches, a vacuum switch, and toggle switches to control.