Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

'57 Ford headers


Recommended Posts

I'm looking for ideas for headers for the Revell '57 Ford.  I want to build a period street racer, so the fender well headers from the gasser are not what I'm after.  Anyone have any ideas, clues or tips regarding inside the frame headers for the '57 Ford?  Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try a set from a SBC. The port spacing is a little different on the center ports. The Y block has a bit of space between them vs. the Chevy siamesed ports. But, that's a simple fix.

The AMT '66 Nova has a set that may work with the Ford engine and frame.

Edited by Plowboy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, a SBC set should work with some slight modifications to the center pipes as the port spacing is close.
There is a pair in the AMT 56 Victoria kit they call Hedman Headers, they are shortys and not the regular style tube headers.

Edited by Force
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought of SBC headers, too, but I'm having no luck with that idea.  The ones I like the best--Revell '69 Camaro Z-28, Revell '69 Nova 350, and AMT '66 Nova--won't work.  The '57 Ford front end dictates something that sweeps back before down.  The Revell Ford suspension and a motor mount crossbar won't allow for headers to drop down then back.  I've also tried some other variations in my parts box, but, same story.  I even pulled out some of the old Johan Maverick pro stock headers.   I'd like to find that someone has produced some resin headers for this kit, and I just haven't heard of them yet.  Oh well...

Any other thoughts?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Rodent said:

In real life there wasn't much room for non-fenderwell headers in the 57-64 Ford.

I have a FE 390 in my 63 Galaxie and there is lots of room in the engine bay, but the steering and suspension parts are in the way and the headers have to go back some before they go down and snake around between the steering and bell housing.
I bought Sanderson shortys for my car and they fit well as the primary tubes and collectors ends before and above the steering and suspension, they are tube headers and kind of copys the factory cast iron headers Ford had on the high performance 352-390-406 engines before the long 427 cast iron headers.

Edited by Force
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Revell '57 frame should be roughly the same shape as the '60, correct?  These modern kits with correct detail like steering boxes and linkage do complicate things though.  Ford did put the FE in the '58 Ford which is the same as the '57 in those areas, things might be on the tight side but something should fit. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Mark said:

The Revell '57 frame should be roughly the same shape as the '60, correct?  These modern kits with correct detail like steering boxes and linkage do complicate things though.  Ford did put the FE in the '58 Ford which is the same as the '57 in those areas, things might be on the tight side but something should fit. 

Hope I can make the FE cast iron headers fit without issues....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Mark said:

The Revell '57 frame should be roughly the same shape as the '60, correct?  These modern kits with correct detail like steering boxes and linkage do complicate things though.  Ford did put the FE in the '58 Ford which is the same as the '57 in those areas, things might be on the tight side but something should fit. 

 

6 hours ago, Deuces ll said:

Hope I can make the FE cast iron headers fit without issues....

Yes the 58 Ford's and the 58 Edsel's except for the Citation and Corsair are based on the same chassis as the 57 Ford...the smaller Edsel's had no other option 1958 than the E400 wich was a 361 FE and the 58 Fords you could get a FE on the option list.
So a FE would fit in the engine bay and as the later Galaxie chassis is a development of the 57-8-9 chassis with longer wheelbase the cast iron headers would most likely fit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Rodent said:

Is the OP using a Y-Block or an FE? For an FE, I would suggest the cast iron headers from all of the AMT kits. For a Y-Block, I don't know what to suggest other than the '56 headers.

I'm using the Y-block that comes with the kit.  I'd like to replicate a mid 60s street racer that a kid on a budget might put together...312 with a 3 speed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...