Headers - Long or Short?
Bench racers love to debate header issues. Long or short-tube? Large-tube or small-tube? Equal length or random length? Chrome, painted, or ceramic coated? What kind of header should you choose and why? The type of header you choose should be based on how you intend to use the vehicle.
Unless you intend to go racing where split-hair seconds and quarter-mile slips count, it really doesn't matter what kind of header you choose. Choosing the right header is based largely on what you are comfortable with. Short-tube, or "shorty," headers are little more than tubular exhaust manifolds that are more user friendly than long-tube headers. But shorty headers don't make one bit of difference when it comes to actual power output based on dyno testing. In fact, if you test a stock exhaust manifold and a shorty header head-to-head, the real difference cannot be measured. They come outthe same. Choose shorty headers because you like the way they look, not because you expect gains in power.
If you're going with long-tube headers, choose them based on quality, proper fit, and ease of installation. If you want longevity from your headers, opt for ceramic-coated headers that radiate minimal amounts of heat and cool quickly after engine shutdown. You also want headers that will clear the spark plugs nicely and tie-in easily with the exhaust system underneath.
Tube sizing depends on what you want the engine to do. If you are running a high-displacement stroker, you're going to want to run larger tube sizes for good exhaust scavenging. If your engine's displacement is more conservative, such as a 289 or 302, you can go modest on the kind of tubing size, like we see with Shelby Tri-Y headers.
What About Fuel Injection?
Holley's Pro-Jection electronic fuel injection is a throttle body system you can bolt right onto your Ford V-8's carburetor intake manifold. Holley provides everything you need to get into fuel injection in a weekend. The nice thing about the Holley system is how well it hides underneath the air cleaner. You can hide the rest under the dashboard or in the fenderwell.
Six Tricks
If you own a six-cylinder Ford and find yourself wishing you had a V-8, do not despair because Jack Clifford Performance has solutions for in-line performance. Did you know you can warm up the little Ford six (170, 200, 250 ci) with multi-carburetion induction systems, dual-exhaust headers, hotter cams, and more? Clifford has been the brain trust behind in-line six-cylinder performance since the '60s. The answer to six-cylinder performance woes isn't always a V-8.
Let's Have Quiet
Newer cars are much quieter than their antique counterparts; much of that can be credited to improved aerodynamics. However, the rest of it can be attributed to better sound-deadening. Gut your Ford's interior and lay down Dynamat where the paint meets the steel. Then, lay down plenty of insulation that both quiets your inner world and keeps unpleasant temperatures out.
MSD Means Durability
We promote MSD Ignition a lot in this magazine because we believe in their products. Look under the hoods of race vehicles anywhere, and you will see the MSD name because racers cannot afford the humiliation of a breakdown, especially when they are on the home stretch to the winner's circle. you need reliability when you go cruising or to the mountains for the weekend. In any circle, having a reliable ignition system is everything.
Whether you are building a new engine or are adding personal touches to your vintage Ford, the installation of an MSD ignition system will net noticeable improvements in performance and reliability right from the start. Park that old Autolite or Motorcraft distributor on the shelf and drop an MSD in the hole.