302 Mustang Shorty Headers

[Ford-f100-1972]

Hey all,

Rebuilding the 302 in my '72 Sport Custom because of a broken piston skirt. Both exhaust manifolds are badly cracked so I'm trying to decide if I should go back to manifolds or change to headers. Has anyone put '79-'93 Mustang shorty headers on an f100 with power steering, automatic and ac? I have swapped in an AOD for the old C4.

Another concern is underhood temp. I live in Houston and we get several months of 95+ degree weather, high humidity and lots of time stuck in traffic. Kind of want to stay away from long tube headers.

Going back with the dual plane intake and Demon carb i already had on it plus a cam with a little more low end torque.

I have some time to decide. The block, heads and crank are at the machine shop and are in line behind quite a few other engines.

I appreciate any feedback anyone can give me.

[Jacksdad]

I'm hoping they fit because I have a set of Fox body BBK shorties ready for a Windsor swap in my F350. I really don't anticipate any issues given the underhood space we have over a Mustang. And you have free rein over where the pipes go after the collector so you should be able to work around your transmission.

[colnago]

Yours isn't an FE, but on the big blocks, it seems the shorties are the only thing you can use to clear the PS box on one side, and the starter on the other. Full-length headers, and the shorties on eBay, are always a gamble for our trucks.

Joseph

[Ford-f100-1972]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! The steering box is the biggest concern on the drivers side but being a 302 helps since it isn't as wide as an FE or a 351. Just not sure all the headaches that can come along with headers is worth a little more horsepower on a street and highway cruiser.

[JoshT]

Not sure about Foxbody headers, but 65-73 Mustang headers work for the 302 swap in a 83-97 Ranger frame. Takes a little massaging in on the passenger frame rail for clearance. IIRC the Foxbody headers dump right into the passenger floor pan and needs more clearancing on the frame rail on those trucks.

Pretty sure the frame on these F-100s is wider than those trucks, I know they have more room in the engine bay.

[sargentrs]

Not a 302 but similar 351W. This member put Sanderson shorties on his and looks like he had plenty of clearance. http://www.1967f100.com/2013/09/and-win ... n.html?m=1. Might reach out to Sanderson and see if they have similar ones for the 302.

[Ford-f100-1972]

Great pics of the 351 with shorties. I think the 302 is about 3/4" narrower than the 351. I think I'll try a set of ceramic shorties to help keep the temp down. Thanks for everyone's input!

[70xlt]

I just put shorty Sanderson ceramic headers on a 1970 ford f100, power steering and c4. they fit fine but had to removed some motor support frame for the right side collector. Looks good but not sure I'd do again, for the sound the I'm not sure worth the $$ over the stock manifolds.