37 Ford build--IE: old Header issues thread /37 Ford/5.0/GT40P heads

[34_40]

Mike, Mike, Mike....so sorry about the lack of comment on the previous pics ! I know how we all need affirmation when we put ourselves out there like that!
It's great to see some shine on your ride!! That'll put our eyes out when you roll it out in the sun and snap a few pics!! Can't wait!

So, in keeping with my own admonition to post pics, here's a couple to explain why I don't have any recent '37 pics. I scored a complete, almost new exhaust system that was fitted to a '68 F100, I picked up the whole system for $125!!! Major score!!! Retail would have been at least $700 not counting labor to install it! It was perfect timing even though installing headers on these trucks is no walk in the park!
Anyway, here's a couple of pics:
It has a nice mellow tone at idle then when you get a new thrill at watching the gas guage go down!! LOL

Randy, Randy, Randy.. You DID get a MAJOR score on the exhaust system and no one here blames you for taking care of business! I was thinking about your fuel mileage when I saw the engine picture with the new headers installed. I guess you have to learn patience and control! either that or open the wallet!

Thanks for the kind words on the shine and yes, it's a bit un-nerving when you "put it out there".. but another surprise is how few folks join in with us for this thread! We know they look at it but, no one wants to participate?!?!? It's like you created a microcosm of this / in this "world".. most curious!

[IC2]

Nice, Randy. That will keep the ol' girl purring. I've had several vehicles with FE engines, either 390's or a 406, but that had an aluminum tri power. That 87 pound iron intake is always a bear as you have to disassemble half of the engine to fix a valley seal leak. The aluminum - well that's only ~50 pounds with carbs

And Photobucket with this site - always a crapshoot for some reason. Go back and you will see my protestations as well.

Mike - will you be driving that painted car THIS year or next? I do have to say it does look good now

[randyr]

That 87 pound iron intake is always a bear as you have to disassemble half of the engine to fix a valley seal leak.

Yes, Dave I got rid of that cast iron behemoth intake last year. Replaced it with an Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake & carb. It runs better and it's not as heavy but still uses a lot of gas!! LOL! At least with this new exhaust it's more fun to hear the gas consumption! LOL!

[IC2]

Yes, Dave I got rid of that cast iron behemoth intake last year. Replaced it with an Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake & carb. It runs better and it's not as heavy but still uses a lot of gas!! LOL! At least with this new exhaust it's more fun to hear the gas consumption! LOL!

I thought it looked 'different' in the photo, but rattle cans.......
One of my 390's was in a '68 Country Squire "maxi-wagon" which would clock off 18-20mpg with that big York a/c compressor chuggin' away - unheard of in a motor that size.

[randyr]

I thought it looked 'different' in the photo, but rattle cans.......
One of my 390's was in a '68 Country Squire "maxi-wagon" which would clock off 18-20mpg with that big York a/c compressor chuggin' away - unheard of in a motor that size.

I've heard of 390's getting that kind of mpg's but not 352's. I also participate in a Ford truck forum and most of the guys with 352's seem to think that 8-12mpg is about as good as it gets. That has proven true with mine thus far, which is kinda depressing! Argh! I've toyed with switching to a 302/AOD, 351w/AOD, etc but those guys aren't professing great mileage either. There have been some who have gone with the 4.6 mod-motor touting mileage in the low 20's, which would be great but I'm in no position to make that kinda switch right now. I have heard that 390's typically do better with gas than 352's so I would be open to that swap if I came across a good deal on one. That would be an easy swap and my new headers would still fit! The truck as 3.54 rear end gears & 31" tires which means I'm running 2561rpms @ 65mph. None of that matters too much when driving around LA. Traffic dictates your rpm's or lack thereof. So, I just find contentment in the fact that I'm cruising in something that doesn't look like every other Bimmer, Mercedes or Prius that fills the streets & freeways of SoCal. I get a lot more "thumbs up" and "Hey, cool truck!" than they do....

[IC2]

The worst possible would have been the 360. Even my '68 Torino GT 390 was good for 16-18 with a set of 3.70 gears. A good choice would be a 460. Some of those did very well.

I understand what you mean with the M-B's, Lexus and Bimmers as we have way more then our fair share here in my town, a B-R community for the State Capital and the many lawyers. The 'greenies' and their Prius' and others are in Saratoga, 15 miles North. I too get lots of thumbs up with my car

Which Ford truck forum are you on? I visit the Ford Truck Enthusiasts site kinda irregularly now, but have been able to PO a few regardless

[randyr]

Which Ford truck forum are you on? I visit the Ford Truck Enthusiasts site kinda irregularly now, but have been able to PO a few regardless

I'm on FTE as "37 Ford guy" and also Slick 60's as randyr. Yes, I should have used "37 Ford guy" on this site but I joined this one first and didn't think of it till later....LOL!

[IC2]

OK - so when this site does a dump then we can still compare notes - I'm Irelands child, same as I started here until ----- a dump.

I was just out puttering with the '31 and raised the rear an inch plus. I adjusted my new rear springs up a half inch which added that 1 plus inches (yeah, doesn't compute). The springs had settled a bit since installing them this past winter as well as having some "acceleration forces" applied to them The fronts haven't changed. I also set the tire pressures to 24F/20R as was discussed in another thread. It's not that the suspension was too stiff, it just seemed to have too much dampening effect.

[randyr]

OK - so when this site does a dump then we can still compare notes - I'm Irelands child, same as I started here until ----- a dump.

I was just out puttering with the '31 and raised the rear an inch plus. I adjusted my new rear springs up a half inch which added that 1 plus inches (yeah, doesn't compute). The springs had settled a bit since installing them this past winter as well as having some "acceleration forces" applied to them The fronts haven't changed. I also set the tire pressures to 24F/20R as was discussed in another thread. It's not that the suspension was too stiff, it just seemed to have too much dampening effect.

Also, I still have your email address so we're covered either way.

Have you moved the rear end forward yet or is that a winter project?
I'm glad you're getting to mash down on the accelerator this summer! ;-)

[IC2]

Also, I still have your email address so we're covered either way.

Have you moved the rear end forward yet or is that a winter project?
I'm glad you're getting to mash down on the accelerator this summer! ;-)

Yep, just looked, I still have your email which is surprising after a couple of computer mods

The rear end was moved forward about 3/4" which is the end of the adjustment. I'll do the final 'fix' next winter as right now, doesn't look too bad and besides us here, no one has noticed. I need to shorten each of four bars about 1-1/2 then run a tap down for some more thread. Not a big job, but time consuming when I could be out driving (when it isn't raining or I'm not busy haying the yard after those rains)

[34_40]

Mike -will you be driving that painted car THIS year or next? I do have to say it does look good now

I am making every effort to get it registered this year! Thanks for the kind words....

[Don Shillady]

This thread is supposed to be about '37 Fords and SBF heads. I just came back from a car show in Culpepper Va where some 220 cars were in attendance, mostly newer models, but I photoed some "time machines". Note the 21 stud heads with water pumps! The 1935 coupe was so glossy that you can see my T-shirt reflected in the hood! Can anyone tell me how to attach photos in this new format?

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

[randyr]

This thread is supposed to be about '37 Fords and SBF heads. I just came back from a car show in Culpepper Va where some 220 cars were in attendance, nostly newer models, but I photoed some "time machines". Note the 21 stud heads with water pumps! The 1935 coupe was so glossy that you can see my T-shirt reflected in the hood! Can anyone tell me how to attach photos in this new format?

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Ah, yes, Don, it's amazing what can happen to a thread after almost 1200 posts!!
As far as posting pics, you can always upload your pics to a separate service like Photobucket and then copy the image link into the body of your post or you can reply with "Go Advanced", scroll down to "Manage Attachments" and it will take you thru the process of uploading pics directly from your computer or other sources.
I had not used the "Manage Attachments" method since the website was redone so I thought I'd give it a try and upload a pic of that '37 with the SBF that started this thing. Obviously, it's still not finished but I've made some great online friends and learned a lot along the way!
I hope you get your pics posted. Would love to see that shiny '35!
Randy

[IC2]

Don - this thread has gone far afield since Randy opened it a few years (??) ago and has really become more of a fun one now that the originator has gone into pickup trucks

(gotta pick on someone - especially since I got a hide rip on an RV site)

[34_40]

(gotta pick on someone - especially since I got a hide rip on an RV site)

That's "our" Dave! Makin' friends wherever he goes!