Frogger2662 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I am looking for opinions on a set of shorty headers for a 1984 5.0 F150. All of the listings i have found start at 1986. I already have dual exhaust installed with magnaflow 2 in 2 out muffler. I know in theory the newer models should work. Anybody actually used a set and how do they fit? Suggested brands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Anybody actually used a set and how do they fit? Suggested brands? I have a set of the BBK 3510 shorty headers on my 1984 5.0 F150. Bought mine from Summit, but I think you can buy them anywhere, including Amazon. They are listed as fitting 1987-1995 5.0 F150's. https://www.bbkperformance.com/ford-f150-302-1-5-8-in-shorty-headers-chrome-87-95.html I'm running full 2.25" dual exhaust all the way to the back, with Magnaflow mufflers and an H-pipe in front of them. I'm happy with the BBK headers, but the bolts and gaskets that came with them were no good. I ordered a longer set of ARP header bolts (I think 1" but can confirm for you if need be) and a set of Remflex gaskets. Been fine ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogger2662 Posted February 22, 2020 Author Share Posted February 22, 2020 Anybody actually used a set and how do they fit? Suggested brands? I have a set of the BBK 3510 shorty headers on my 1984 5.0 F150. Bought mine from Summit, but I think you can buy them anywhere, including Amazon. They are listed as fitting 1987-1995 5.0 F150's. https://www.bbkperformance.com/ford-f150-302-1-5-8-in-shorty-headers-chrome-87-95.html I'm running full 2.25" dual exhaust all the way to the back, with Magnaflow mufflers and an H-pipe in front of them. I'm happy with the BBK headers, but the bolts and gaskets that came with them were no good. I ordered a longer set of ARP header bolts (I think 1" but can confirm for you if need be) and a set of Remflex gaskets. Been fine ever since. Thanks, Looking at the different finishes. How is the chrome holding up? Also wondering why nobody actually list shorty headers the older bullnose trucks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Thanks, Looking at the different finishes. How is the chrome holding up? Also wondering why nobody actually list shorty headers the older bullnose trucks? Chrome is holding up fine so far. The issue with the fitment is that shorty headers are made to replace/fit in place of stock manifolds, and connect to the stock Y-pipe. So, nobody makes them to fit the pre-EFI 5.0 engines. The carbed engines had the valve in the driver's side exhaust for the crossover, and I don't think there was enough room to install a shorty header there. So the 1986-up shorty headers work just fine, but they don't fit the stock Bullnose Y-pipe. You'll need custom down pipes like I did (ran duals anyway) or a Y-pipe from a later model truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Thanks, Looking at the different finishes. How is the chrome holding up? Also wondering why nobody actually list shorty headers the older bullnose trucks? Chrome is holding up fine so far. The issue with the fitment is that shorty headers are made to replace/fit in place of stock manifolds, and connect to the stock Y-pipe. So, nobody makes them to fit the pre-EFI 5.0 engines. The carbed engines had the valve in the driver's side exhaust for the crossover, and I don't think there was enough room to install a shorty header there. So the 1986-up shorty headers work just fine, but they don't fit the stock Bullnose Y-pipe. You'll need custom down pipes like I did (ran duals anyway) or a Y-pipe from a later model truck. There was another shorty header almost identical to the BBK's... JBA's, I think?...I had a used set for another engine but scraped the project and didn't use them. They have smaller primaries and they're quite a bit more money I think... https://www.jegs.com/i/JBA/578/1627SJS/10002/-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogger2662 Posted February 22, 2020 Author Share Posted February 22, 2020 Thanks, Looking at the different finishes. How is the chrome holding up? Also wondering why nobody actually list shorty headers the older bullnose trucks? Chrome is holding up fine so far. The issue with the fitment is that shorty headers are made to replace/fit in place of stock manifolds, and connect to the stock Y-pipe. So, nobody makes them to fit the pre-EFI 5.0 engines. The carbed engines had the valve in the driver's side exhaust for the crossover, and I don't think there was enough room to install a shorty header there. So the 1986-up shorty headers work just fine, but they don't fit the stock Bullnose Y-pipe. You'll need custom down pipes like I did (ran duals anyway) or a Y-pipe from a later model truck. I already have duals run to the stock manifolds. Do you think the shorty's will work or will i have to modify my exhaust pipes? Also how is your spark plug access? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I already have duals run to the stock manifolds. Do you think the shorty's will work or will i have to modify my exhaust pipes? Also how is your spark plug access? The pipes might need to be modified a tiny bit to connect to the headers properly. Spark plug access is fine and will be with any of the regular Ford heads. If you have GT40P heads you might have issues but all the others will be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogger2662 Posted February 22, 2020 Author Share Posted February 22, 2020 The pipes might need to be modified a tiny bit to connect to the headers properly. Spark plug access is fine and will be with any of the regular Ford heads. If you have GT40P heads you might have issues but all the others will be ok. Thanks, I am going to order a set. If the pipes do not match up i am only a mile from the muffler shop. Might be a little loud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BARRYS83F100 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Thanks, I am going to order a set. If the pipes do not match up i am only a mile from the muffler shop. Might be a little loud! I have JBA on mine they fit perfect W/O issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Wyatt Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 I have JBA on mine they fit perfect W/O issue Another option here: https://www.protuninglab.com/94fomugt5v8s.html. These are a nice price and stainless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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