Here are the headers that will I'm cleaning up and putting back on my Bird. I'll be interested to see how the test comes out (though it won't change what I put on the car). 

Bob Hedman made these for this car after Vic Sr. finished the engine. They're slightly different (flanges) than the T-bird headers the Hedman started to produce shortly thereafter. They're very similar to the ones that you can buy at Red's Headers, but these have 1 3/4" primary as opposed to 1 5/8"...neither version has a typical header collector. It's a slip joint/clamped connection.

I've been told that this design doesn't flow as well as the full-length Bird headers available ($$$$) but they are better than the Sanderson headers for the T-bird with straight exit from the engine and smooth transitions...though they do make plug changes even more of a nightmare...

The driver's side still installed before tear down:

And here's the passenger side, removed from the car:

Here are the Red's Headers version:

Todd in Central California...about half way between Fresno and Sacramento

1956 Thunderbird - 1960 F-100 - 1961 Starliner - 1961 Imperial

Say, does anyone have some 1 1/2" primary tube truck headers to send Ted's way?


Lawrenceville, GA

This is what I built a few weeks ago. There made for a 57  model car. There 1.5" tube, bolt access, spark plug is very good. I had to shorten the collector a couple inches to run the exhaust above the cross member. The only tight spot is around the steering box,maybe 1/2 inch clearance.

I'll be watching this with a lot of interest, also. When I had the 'bird on the chassis dyno in '04, to set the jetting and timing, the engine hit the wall about 4800rpm. The dyno guy, who has enough experience to make a good guess looked at the 1 1/2 tailpipes and said "there's enough back pressure in there to run a turbine". It didn't like the 4 tubes J Mummert used to sell (still does?) would clear the R&P steering I'm using, so I never did anything about it. Recent post make it sound like they might, and the comments of late on the Red's headers lead me to believe just the tailpipes won't help. If you get some info, maybe I can re-do the exhaust and headers and see what it changes on a street motor in the car.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

When I was racing my F engined Bird in pure stock, I started with stock manifolds and the stock 1 3/4 tailpipes.  When I upgraded to 2 1/4 tailpipes, allowed by the rules, and retaining the original 2" headpipes, I picked up about .4 seconds and about 5 mph in the 1/4 mile.  Your dyno guy knows of which he speaks.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Charlie,



I am quite happy with my Red's headers. While they aren't tuned length, they look to have very little restriction as well as fit my lowered pickup.

My name is Greg and I am addicted to Y's.

Here is the item number for a set of fenderwell headers on ebay if any of you 57 ford owners are looking

320497055363   just over a day left

Gary Ryan San Antonio.TX.

I forgot to mention in my previous post about tail pipes, I replaced the mufflers with 2" in and out turbo style mufflers.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

After looking and reading and scratching my head... I ordered a set from Sanderson for my 57 Tbird. Not going to the dragstrip but want a better breathing motor and a good sound. Probably go with 2 1/4 exhaust and mufflers out the back tucked up under and turned down a little at the bumper. I have a set on my 65 Galaxie 352 with Flowmasters the same way. Sounds great.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Those are what I'm using. I suspect that the 1 1/2", non mandrel bent primaries leave something to be desired for performance. That's why I'd like for Ted to have a set (or some similar) to test. I had 2 options for manifolds/headers to send to Ted. I sent one. If I send the headers, then I will not be able to drive the truck until testing is finished and for my daily driver, that does not fly. I think all of the options out there for trucks leave something to be desired.


Lawrenceville, GA