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March 8, 2017 10:08 am  #1


Follow up on '65 289 header fitment

So last weekend I FINALLY got around to trying to install the ceramic coated headers on my '65 500xl 289. No dice on the driver's side no matter WHAT I tried. The passenger side fit no problem. The bend in the tubes did not allow it to clear both the bellhousing and the steering gear. Wouldn't have fit if I smashed the crap out of it which kind of defeats the purpose of buying nice ceramic coated headers. So as a public service announcement to all of you even THINKING about small block headers for a 289, either go with shorties, or stick to manifolds. The listing for these headers was Torino, Falcon, Cougar, Fairlane. 

This car came to me with full length headers that are for God know what. Just no idea what chassis they coincide with. So they got blasted cleaned up and painted. Will post some pics when I get to my computer. Until then. I think they would look great on my '68 Cougar, but even though it is listed as a chassis they will work on, I'm hesitant to replace the headers that are already on it.

Last edited by guitar74 (March 8, 2017 10:11 am)

 

July 12, 2017 12:10 am  #2


Re: Follow up on '65 289 header fitment

Did you take some pics from that?

 

July 12, 2017 10:26 am  #3


Re: Follow up on '65 289 header fitment

I think the lesson for us small block guys that want coated headers is to start with uncoated headers, get them fitted and then take them for coating. We have special cars, so why settle for off-the-shelf stuff that is the same as everyone else. My headers are not coated. I can keep telling myself that, but it doesn't always make it better.

 

July 12, 2017 3:10 pm  #4


Re: Follow up on '65 289 header fitment

I think another lesson on top of what 70Xl just said, is research, research,research. Find as many forums that deal with Galaxies, especially small block mid 60s ones, and ask as many questions as you possibly can before trying to purchase headers for a chassis not listed. I did and STILL came out losing. BEFORE these headers are beyond hope I will be taking them off and going to the Summit Racing store in the town over and having them compare as many as I can before making a purchase. I saw some tri ys that are supposed to fit so I might go that route later on.

So anyhow, this is the picture of my stop gap of refinishing the headers that were already on the car. The whole reason for posting this was to possibly help anyone else in my predicament of owning a small block '65 500 Xl who is trying to find headers for this chassis/engine combo. 

So the lesson learned? Number one:Headers for a Fairlane, Torino, Ranchero, or Cougar do NOT fit. Lesson two:Ford Powertrain Specialist which a LOT of people on various forums have recommended will NOT fab a set of headers for your car. In fact even though they market themselves as being Ford specialists, they gave me the same answer as EVERY OTHER HEADER MANUFACTURER when it came to getting some tubes fabbed up for my '65 289 Two door 500 XL auto trans-If you could get an order of 50 or more. Well, well, well. Not quite the "specialist" that we've marketed ourselves to be. Are we? So if you are thinking about using them, keep in mind that unless they have your chassis listed, they could pretty much give a s$%t less. At least that was the attitude I got from them when I offered to pay MORE for the trouble. I only need for someone to act like they don't want to take my money one time for me to not bother with them a second. Third lesson:If you have a welder, a good bender, and time, you could probably fab up a set for yourself, and like "70" said, have them coated. 

I hope this helps anyone in my predicament, possibly helps them seek out other avenues that I didn't, and possibly not make the same mistake I did. The only upside is that I ended up with a coated set for my Cougar.

 

Last edited by guitar74 (July 13, 2017 7:01 am)

     Thread Starter
 

January 10, 2021 2:36 pm  #5


Re: Follow up on '65 289 header fitment

Bummer it didn't work for you ... I am putting a set of Dougs full length headers into a 1964 Galaxie right now that were listed to fit the torino and such. I have clearanced the body mount perches and the motor mount plates a but they seem to fit. The only hurdle left is the fact the collectors dump right onto the crossmember, so I am looking at modifying the factory one or going with an aftermarket one. 

 

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