Flowtech Headers ??

[tamalpass]

Question: What can you tell me about these?

1965-1986 Ford LTD - Flowtech Headers

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/details/QQFordQQLTDQQFlowtechQQHeadersQQ19651986QQF3112000.html

Flowtech Headers




FLOWTECH STANDARD BLOCK HUGGER HEADER, BLACK HI-TEMPERATURE PAINT -- 1.625 Tube Size, 2.5 Collector Size, Tuned-Length Primary Tubes For Maximum Exhaust Scavenging And Velocity, Features Computer-Controlled 16 Gauge Mandrel-Bent Tubing For Smooth Exhaust Flow, Tight-Tuck Design For Narrow Frame Rails, Precision Die-Cut Exhaust Port Flanges, Includes All Necessary Hardware For Complete Installation, With Manufacturer's 90-Day Warranty

[Bowman85merc]

Hmmmm, it shows a chevy header :drug:

[hav24wheel]

As far as i can tell they are just a universal block hugger headers.. dont have a specified application. So they may or may not fit...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-12000FLT/

[gadget73]

Picture is smallblock Chevy. Usually the headers most of us use are Mustang shorties, simply because they fit with no fuss.

[tamalpass]

Thanks!!

I was kinda feelin' they weren't the most effective item for the job.

[1987cp]

I wonder what crackhead posted a thing saying you could put regular blockhuggers on a Panther? No way they'll fit.

Search for "12000FLT" on Summit Racing and it'll bring up a blockhugger street rod header for SBF. No pics there or at Holley.com, but here's one of the ceramic-coated PN 32000FLT. As you can see, it exits straight down and is mostly for open-fender street rods.



If you like the Flowtech brand, my aftermarket 5.0 headers are the 12106FLT that work OK as long as you like instant surface rust. I got them because they were the cheapest at the time that would definitely fit the '86-up configuration and came with smaller 1.5" primary tubes. I might not have bought them, though, if Summit had had their brand of 5.0 headers out at the time.

[tamalpass]

So, any mustang factory headers should fit my 5.0 and 5.8, yes?

Something like this? (These look a bit rough to me, but I'm more used to chrome bike pipes)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Factory-Stock-Headers-off-of-1988-Mustang-GT-5-0-302_W0QQitemZ130312104178QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1e5734e8f2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1171%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[tamalpass]

I wonder what crackhead posted a thing saying you could put regular blockhuggers on a Panther? No way they'll fit.

That's why I like these forums. Real people with real experience. I'll be spending hours on here reading and learning before I get into doing anything major. these Flowtech items didn't look right to me for the application listed.

My 85 GT had the headers and made all the difference when I ran it against an 84 coupe.

[P72Ford]

BBK 1511, and 15110 (coated).

The coating really isn't worth it, but the quality and fit of the BBK 351 headers is great.

[1987cp]

Yep, old stock Mustang headers are great on a 302 car with Mustang-based exhaust or a 351 car with slightly modified stock exhaust (add 2.25" Walker ball-flange adapters to make them really seal right ... you can of course do that to a 302 car too if you want to keep the stock 2" duals). That particular set went for kind of a lot ... I got mine for more like $20 plus shipping, and supposedly some Mustang guys literally give them away.

See that one other exhaust thread (not sure offhand how to find it ...) - I've personally determined that the BBK 1511 for 351 does fit with at least some Mustang crossover pipes, though I'm told some do not fit at all.

[tamalpass]

The beauty of my situation is I have a new exhaust (thought single) which means I have time to work on other things and gather parts. And I have a friend who runs an exhaust shop for some thirty years. He can pretty much mount any kind of custom setup I want and won't charge a crazy amount.

I'll find the right headers (I like the BBK idea) and following the info from this forum, have him put it all together. It'll fit and work right from the get go.

[89LincolnTWNcar]

I had flowtechs and they sucked. Rusted out and wouldn't seal the block for crap. I wouldn't buy them.

[88Vic]

Yup, Flowtechs are cheap headers that are only good on a temporary racing motor. Like stated above, my Silverado has Flowtechs and they're all rusted and they leak at the collectors, and I wouldn't be surprised if they started warping and leaking at the primaries.

I have BBK equal length shorties on my Mustang and they're great, no leaking and only slight discoloration, but no rust. A lot of guys on Full Size Chevy like Thorley Tri-Y headers, they're stainless and ceramic coated so they hold in heat well and last forever.

[1987cp]

I had flowtechs and they sucked. Rusted out and wouldn't seal the block for crap. I wouldn't buy them.

Mine have been OK since taking a belt sander to the flanges and using Copperseal gaskets. Tightening the flange bolts is an additional issue, though.

[89LincolnTWNcar]

Yeah I suppose that would help, Also I use ARP stainless header bolts and washers, they never come loose anymore. Only cost $27 bux for a full set. I run MAC equal lengths now, and they seal well, but are rusting like crazy.