1964 Comet headers

Rory McNeil · 03-21-2010, 11:44 PM

A buddy of mine has a 64 Comet Caliante bracket car with SB Ford, 4 speed, and his old custom made headers are falling apart. Are any "off the shelf" headers available with 1 5/8" tubes, that work with the factory clutch linkage, and clear a scatershield? Supposedly early Mustang`s have a different firewall, and the headers are not interchangable. Thanks.

Jim Caughlin · 03-22-2010, 11:10 AM

I used to run the standard Hooker 1 5/8 on my Comet years ago and they fit reasonably well with the clutch linkage. As I recall, I had to do the typical 'illegal' trimming of the scattershield flange to make them clear. If you get desperate and want to bring the car down to my shop, I can build a nicer and more equal length set and/or maybe repair the existing pieces.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

Mile High · 03-22-2010, 08:56 PM

When I went to a 351W stroker in my Falcon I used headers from a company called Tubular Automotive in Mass. 1 5/8" tubes and 3" collector. Now using headers from Crites Performance 1 3/4" tubes and 3 1/2" collector. I did some cutting on the shock towers for extra clearance too.

69Cobra · 03-23-2010, 09:08 PM

We also have a set of Crites but have not put them on yet. I've seen them on other 64 comets and all looks well.

Rory McNeil · 03-24-2010, 12:43 AM

We have only seen photo`s of the Crites headers. The front tubes look much, much longer than the rears, and my buddy doesn`t care for the way the front 2 tubes on each side are routed under the lower control arms, ground clearance wise. He plans to patch the cracked tube(s) for this season, but is hoping to find something good for next year, without breaking the bank.

Mile High · 03-24-2010, 09:28 AM

I also cut off the sway bar mount brackets and you need to reposition the oil filter too. They do hang real low.

Jim Caughlin · 03-24-2010, 10:36 AM

Rory,

I'm easily confused but are you talking about a tall deck or short deck motor? If you're talking about a low deck, as I had said the standard Hookers fit pretty good. If your talking about a tall deck, nothing fits worth a damn. I've seen or worked on most of these over the years and they all have their drawbacks, The Crites units aren't even close to equal length, the front tubes are well over 48" long and go under the A-arms, they will be smashed in no time, the back tubes are about 20" long. The Tubular Automotive units are 1 1/2" primaries so not really a good coice for anything other than a stone stock motor. Installation and sparkplug access suck in all of these. I have custom built headers of this application but even with tower modification, there is no room at all. Wish I had a good answer for you but it's really one of those 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag kind of things.

Jim

Rory McNeil · 03-24-2010, 01:14 PM

Jim, its a stock 302 block with iron World Windsor Jr. heads, which have a minor spark plug relocation, compared to a factory Ford head. The car ran 11.8 last year, but a bigger cam and some head work gained 30 HP over the winter, so the 1 1/2" would likely be too small. The current headers are custom made 1 3/4" units, which are likely too big, so 1 5/8" should be about right. He`s talking about going to the Woodburn Ford race this summer, maybe you could see it there. (Unless you want to hit a Super Shifter race this year, we have 2 weekends in Bremerton.)

Mile High · 03-24-2010, 02:08 PM

Tubular Automotive did do 1 5/8" pipe on mine for the 351. They tell you there may be clearance issues around the towers. You probably know to check fit and spark plug clearance on an engine stand. I had a set of Windsor Jrs. on a 302, hated the relocated spark plugs. Had to modify the tubes on 5 & 6 cylinders for spark plug clearance. Bought a set of Hooker super comps (1 5/8") for an early Mustang and driver side tubes were all wrong (too close to the fire wall). Cut them off and made them right for a Falcon.
When I broke the 302 it hurt one head also so I went to the 351 stroker and AFR 205 heads. Much nicer. Two years ago bought the Crites headers. They are not egual length and I've flat spotted one tube. I did major trimming on the shock towers 2 years ago so I can get to plugs 2,3,5&6 so I could use a ratchet on them. It may be closer to 15 lbs. in a 5 lb. sack.

Jim Caughlin · 03-24-2010, 07:09 PM

Mile High, the Hooker 1 5/8 for early Mustang is different from the Comet / Falcon header as you apparently figured out. The only way that I have figured out to put a 1 3/4 into this chassis is to window the side panel behind the shock tower and wrap the #4 & 8 tubes around the frame. Tall deck motors are close to impossible to make anything that is functional.

Rory, lots of cool new parts for the Escort this year. Clutchless is legal for SS so I have a new GForce 5 speed sitting on the floor waiting for install. Also have a new dual disc clutch from Youngblood to test. I have a sensor on the input so I can download the clutch profile. Also a new Qucktime bellhousing with the access window, nice quality and much lighter than the Lakewook piece. I'm putting the Pinto back together also. I'm going to switch the Escort to SS/ES and the Pinto will run in SS/FS. That should give me enough bullets to make it through the season. See you in Mission.

Oh by the way, regarding the Comet headers, I guess I should have said 2.27 kilos in a 4.55 kilo sack so you Canadian guys would understand...

Jim

03-21-2010, 11:44 PM	#1
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,306 Likes: 307 Liked 1,079 Times in 297 Posts	1964 Comet headers A buddy of mine has a 64 Comet Caliante bracket car with SB Ford, 4 speed, and his old custom made headers are falling apart. Are any "off the shelf" headers available with 1 5/8" tubes, that work with the factory clutch linkage, and clear a scatershield? Supposedly early Mustang`s have a different firewall, and the headers are not interchangable. Thanks. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

03-22-2010, 11:10 AM	#2
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 680 Likes: 77 Liked 789 Times in 241 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers I used to run the standard Hooker 1 5/8 on my Comet years ago and they fit reasonably well with the clutch linkage. As I recall, I had to do the typical 'illegal' trimming of the scattershield flange to make them clear. If you get desperate and want to bring the car down to my shop, I can build a nicer and more equal length set and/or maybe repair the existing pieces. Jim Caughlin SS 6019

03-22-2010, 08:56 PM	#3
Mile High Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: My RV Posts: 218 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers When I went to a 351W stroker in my Falcon I used headers from a company called Tubular Automotive in Mass. 1 5/8" tubes and 3" collector. Now using headers from Crites Performance 1 3/4" tubes and 3 1/2" collector. I did some cutting on the shock towers for extra clearance too.

03-24-2010, 12:43 AM	#5
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,306 Likes: 307 Liked 1,079 Times in 297 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers We have only seen photo`s of the Crites headers. The front tubes look much, much longer than the rears, and my buddy doesn`t care for the way the front 2 tubes on each side are routed under the lower control arms, ground clearance wise. He plans to patch the cracked tube(s) for this season, but is hoping to find something good for next year, without breaking the bank. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

03-24-2010, 09:28 AM	#6
Mile High Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: My RV Posts: 218 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers I also cut off the sway bar mount brackets and you need to reposition the oil filter too. They do hang real low.

03-23-2010, 09:08 PM	#4
69Cobra Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California, Ky Posts: 669 Likes: 61 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers We also have a set of Crites but have not put them on yet. I've seen them on other 64 comets and all looks well. __________________ Kris Rachford 69 Cobra 428CJ 4 Speed C/S 3032

03-24-2010, 10:36 AM	#7
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 680 Likes: 77 Liked 789 Times in 241 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers Rory, I'm easily confused but are you talking about a tall deck or short deck motor? If you're talking about a low deck, as I had said the standard Hookers fit pretty good. If your talking about a tall deck, nothing fits worth a damn. I've seen or worked on most of these over the years and they all have their drawbacks, The Crites units aren't even close to equal length, the front tubes are well over 48" long and go under the A-arms, they will be smashed in no time, the back tubes are about 20" long. The Tubular Automotive units are 1 1/2" primaries so not really a good coice for anything other than a stone stock motor. Installation and sparkplug access suck in all of these. I have custom built headers of this application but even with tower modification, there is no room at all. Wish I had a good answer for you but it's really one of those 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag kind of things. Jim

03-24-2010, 01:14 PM	#8
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,306 Likes: 307 Liked 1,079 Times in 297 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers Jim, its a stock 302 block with iron World Windsor Jr. heads, which have a minor spark plug relocation, compared to a factory Ford head. The car ran 11.8 last year, but a bigger cam and some head work gained 30 HP over the winter, so the 1 1/2" would likely be too small. The current headers are custom made 1 3/4" units, which are likely too big, so 1 5/8" should be about right. He`s talking about going to the Woodburn Ford race this summer, maybe you could see it there. (Unless you want to hit a Super Shifter race this year, we have 2 weekends in Bremerton.) __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

03-24-2010, 02:08 PM	#9
Mile High Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: My RV Posts: 218 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers Tubular Automotive did do 1 5/8" pipe on mine for the 351. They tell you there may be clearance issues around the towers. You probably know to check fit and spark plug clearance on an engine stand. I had a set of Windsor Jrs. on a 302, hated the relocated spark plugs. Had to modify the tubes on 5 & 6 cylinders for spark plug clearance. Bought a set of Hooker super comps (1 5/8") for an early Mustang and driver side tubes were all wrong (too close to the fire wall). Cut them off and made them right for a Falcon. When I broke the 302 it hurt one head also so I went to the 351 stroker and AFR 205 heads. Much nicer. Two years ago bought the Crites headers. They are not egual length and I've flat spotted one tube. I did major trimming on the shock towers 2 years ago so I can get to plugs 2,3,5&6 so I could use a ratchet on them. It may be closer to 15 lbs. in a 5 lb. sack.

03-24-2010, 07:09 PM	#10
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 680 Likes: 77 Liked 789 Times in 241 Posts	Re: 1964 Comet headers Mile High, the Hooker 1 5/8 for early Mustang is different from the Comet / Falcon header as you apparently figured out. The only way that I have figured out to put a 1 3/4 into this chassis is to window the side panel behind the shock tower and wrap the #4 & 8 tubes around the frame. Tall deck motors are close to impossible to make anything that is functional. Rory, lots of cool new parts for the Escort this year. Clutchless is legal for SS so I have a new GForce 5 speed sitting on the floor waiting for install. Also have a new dual disc clutch from Youngblood to test. I have a sensor on the input so I can download the clutch profile. Also a new Qucktime bellhousing with the access window, nice quality and much lighter than the Lakewook piece. I'm putting the Pinto back together also. I'm going to switch the Escort to SS/ES and the Pinto will run in SS/FS. That should give me enough bullets to make it through the season. See you in Mission. Oh by the way, regarding the Comet headers, I guess I should have said 2.27 kilos in a 4.55 kilo sack so you Canadian guys would understand... Jim