Ford Aluminum 302/351W Z head exhaust flanges?

[CosmicComets]

I've been thinking for a while about rebuilding the motor in Cosmic, and a recent blown head gasket is forcing me to quit just thinking about it! I have a home for the old 351 when I get it that back together, so I plan on going with the Ford Racing 460W crate long block. The motor will come with the "Z" heads that have a raised exhaust ports,so we will have to custom build a set of headers for it. Does anybody know where to get a set of header flanges to fit the raised port configuration? Ford web site says the heads require a Felpro #1487 exhaust manifold gasket set, if that helps. Thanks, Cary

[Aussie Comet 1964]

Hi Cary, I couldn`t find any when I made my headers, I had to make the flanges, on my Comet with AFR heads & the Ranchero with the Brodix heads, I made the whole flanges on the Ranchero but for the Comet I bought flanges & milled the exhaust ports out to suit the heads. John

[CosmicComets]

Thanks, John. I spent a lot of time searching last night and may have come up with some with a part that might work. I called Summit Racing after I found out they sold the Ford "Z" heads and they gave me a part number for a Schoenfield flange set SCH-11300. Not much specs in the description other than that they are 1.75". I believe the heads square-port 1.75x1.75. I guess I will order the flanges and the Felpro gasket set that Ford recommends and make sure they mate up. Take care, Cary

[Rocket989]

Here’s another option with options!

https://www.racemufflers.com/Small-Bloc ... 66-shf.htm

[CosmicComets]

Thanks, Rocket, that might be the ticket! I am waiting to measure the exhaust port openings, I am getting conflicting info on whether they will be square or rectangular, should know by tomorrow afternoon! Leaky head gasket has snowballed into a major overhaul, including suspension upgrade to CalTracs, 6 point cage, aluminum radiator with electric fan to go along with a complete wiring kit. Take care, Cary

[poboyjo65]

Leaky head gasket has snowballed into a major overhaul, including suspension upgrade to CalTracs, 6 point cage, aluminum radiator with electric fan to go along with a complete wiring kit. Take care, Cary

That is a big snowball!! Are you getting the monoleafs too?

[peps64]

Don't tell me you're stealing my CalTracs, too!?

Poboy, I haven't been up there in a few weeks, but winter does come early, up in them thar parts.

Peps

[CosmicComets]

Johno, not doing the monoleafs at this time, using my springs with the CalTrac bars. All of this has been on the wish list since Cosmic returned home five years ago, almost a second slower than it had gone 21 years earlier. The son of the friend who painted it in the 80's (same paint today), now has a full blown performance shop and the boys and I have been doing a lot with him, very skilled. I initially had asked for some help with the faulty electrical system, as my voltage drop wouldn't support the EFI, MSD, AFR fuel pump, etc. Snowballs are HUGE in Northern Minnesota! When my wife ran it at Bowling Green in 2013, we had trouble breaking the 14 second mark. We are now aiming for low 11's.
Peps, your CalTrac setup is safe, but the MSD that CometJr stole from you may have just changed hands again. By the way, which one of you had that new line-lock sitting in a box?

Y'all take care, Cary

[poboyjo65]

Cary that's what I did ,caltracs & wore out leaf springs. it was a pain to drill out the old front leaf bushings. had to take off the leafs from the car & get it up on a work bench. you'll need to call them & say what car you have to get the right bushings. CT's have a solid bushing. I wish now I would have went ahead & got the monoleafs & saved a lot of work & been done with it. now seems like my old leafs just keep sinking.

[CosmicComets]

Thanks Johno, I don't want to do this twice. Do you have coil-over adjustable shocks, or what are you using? And... do your caltracs hook up as well as claimed? Pep's 64 has the mono system, but his build is a long way from testing, hmmmmm I've heard of cars running 7 second range with cals on 10.5" drag radials, obviously with a boatload of HP and tons of traction. Thanks and take care, Cary

[poboyjo65]

They hook great I'm sure. as soon as I put them on my limited slip started limiting a lot less. if I try to come out of the hole it is one wheel peel after a few feet so I really dont know. wheel hop was bad, they took care of that. I run KYB gas-a-just shocks all around. everyone says they are stiff but they're a good combo with my weak springs. before I put them on it would start getting a bit too floaty @ 70 mph & over.

but the way you said ''not doing the monoleafs at this time'' lead me to think you might be thinking of them for the future & all I'm saying is do them now & only do it once & will be less work than using your old leafs. if you are using your old leafs be prepared to spend at least an hour or 2 getting each front bushing out of them. I had to drill & drill to get the rubber out then there is still the metal sleeve to beat out. Even with an air chisel it is a pain.

I do remember reading somewhere that a guy said he got a little better 60ft times with the monos & CT's over his stock leafs & CT's, but I cant remember where I read it.

[CosmicComets]

Johno, back in a span of 11 years in the 80's we changed the rear axle width 3 times, changed exhaust systems twice, carbs and intakes twice, rims and tires twice etc. etc.... That was all because I had a friend that was gainfully employed and single, and when he upgraded, I used his old parts. When the boys started building the 64's a few years ago, I told them if they could afford it, build it the way you want the first time. Ya, I'm getting to old to do it over and over again ,ordering the mono leaf set up.
Thanks and take care, Cary

[poboyjo65]

Cary I wish I had known then what I know now. I would have waited to save up the money for them,but I may not ever put on the monoleafs because it is such a hassle even though I wont have to deal with the bushings. all that big stuff is heavy for older guys with no helper. You might read some on this page if you're wondering about ride height, he says what calvert calls stock height seems too low & swapped the back half of his springs to get the rear up a little.
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5367&start=75
I think later in the thread he has some pics after he got it back running, but this is the page he tells what he re-ordered bout half way down the page.