89500 passenger side header...

[5.0]

.

Here's a quick pic I snapped of my passenger side header. The flange is 3/8" thick steel. I have a 90* elbow from Summit that will get another flange welded to it that will bolt to the header. After the 90* turn there will be another set of flanges that will allow the elbow to be removed for if I need to replace the starter.

This looks like it will work great. My motor sits pretty low in the frame, too. The suspension will hit the bumpstop long before it hits the elbow. No starter clearance issues.

Here's a pic or two, I'll have completed pics in a few years when I finally get it running, lol...

 

[baddad457]

Wanna bet ?

 

[5.0]

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Wanna bet what? That it won't work? I see no reason it won't...


If not, then you ---> <--- me.

I'm gonna try it though, everything looks good when I hold my 90* pipe up there.

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[baddad457]

Wanna bet the axle will STILL hit the elbow ? Been there-done that. And did exactly what you're attempting. And I'm not the only one who has and you're not the first.

 

[wade]

Wanna bet the axle will STILL hit the elbow? ... ...I'm not the only one who has and you're not the first.

Some people just don't know how to use the search button. That one little button can save one much frustration and money.
What 5.0 is doing is a wonderful idea -- if you like doing things repeatedly.
We don't have to find a way to make these "conversion" headers work. We don't need to vindicate Hedman. They've been told, and seemed to turn a deaf ear, because people just keep buying these misfit headers. When they quit selling, Hedman will get the message.

 

[5.0]

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What?, I know how to search. It looks like this...

Trust me, I have searched and read for hours and hours about this 302 swap.

I don't want to cut my frame, nor do I currently have the time or equipment to do so.

Tri-y's won't fit my AOD.


Just curious, does anyone who has tried the "89500 elbow" idea have any pics of their failures? The only pic I have seen so far was a case where the elbow worked just fine.



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[baddad457]

Hedman 88400.

 

[88mudder]

id like to know how those work out, i have the 302/AOD in mine as well. Post some pics when its all done :] ..keep us updated on this, thanks.

 

[TT50hmygod]

hedman 88400 are the ones I have on my 5.0/AOD. Until I get new turbos for it then the turbo manifolds go back on and the hedmans go on a shelf

 

[88mudder]

hedman 88400 are the ones I have on my 5.0/AOD. Until I get new turbos for it then the turbo manifolds go back on and the hedmans go on a shelf

any pics? Just want to see how they fit on the pass side.

 

[wade]

Pics? - Anyone?

Just curious, does anyone who has tried the "89500 elbow" idea have any pics of their failures? The only pic I have seen so far was a case where the elbow worked just fine.

That's a good idea - however, most of us don't seem prone to advertise our failures. Maybe, for the sake of lessons learned, we should. I'm not real fond of airing my dirty laundry - how 'bout you. Besides, maybe I'd rather get my lessons by observing what works!

But, OK! I'll second that - anyone got any pics of a crushed "89500 elbow"? Pics say so much more than words. Some need visual validity. I've seen pics, but never a pic of a R-side 89500 installed, working "just fine" - no complaints.

As far as shorty headers go, the Hedman 88400, or the Patriot H8433's are probably about as good as it gets, with very few adverse remarks. No matter what forum you go to, when it comes to Hedman 89500's, they are demeaned as a poor choice for a Ranger V8 conversion, and Hedman doesn't want to hear it because, People Buy Them. - Foolish people that don't know any better! They read the ad in the Summit or JEGs catalog: "V8 Ranger Conversion Headers". They're inexpensive (cheap) - Sold! Then the disgrutled buyer goes to modifying them to make 'em work. Now, they can't be returned (your stuck with 'em), and they never seem to work to satisfaction. And, I know its gotta eat at 'em. But, they've spent good money on a set of headers destined for the scrap metal bin! If they're lucky, they can sell 'em to some other unsuspecting soul on eBay. Misery loves company!

 

[5.0]

.

If I try something that doesn't work, I'd certainly let everyone know, and post plenty of pics to show why it didn't work.

A member here sent me a pic of an elbow that was working just fine for them.

Maybe previous attemps were poorly executed?

I measured the bumpstop-to-axle clearance and the header elbow-to-axle clearance and the header is 1.5" farther away. If you factor in the fact that the arc of the axle is less by the header than the bumstop, it would be effectively more like 1.75". Hopefully my bumpstop doesn't compress 1.75", and if it does, I have much bigger problems to worry about than a smashed header.

We'll see how it works (or deoesn't), and I post pics of the damage if it doesn't work out. My feelings won't be hurt by posting a failure.

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[Teddyzee]

I watched my bro rebuild his driver's side header on his 5.0 RX7. It took an afternnon and some patience, but turned out well.
I can bet that modding the collector pipe on a tri-y would be much easier than what he did. But it would still be a small header.

Best of luck, I'm sure I'll be looking for larger headers someday, so I like to watch these things.

 

[baddad457]

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Maybe previous attemps were poorly executed?



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My attempt was as poorly executed as yours will be. I used the exact same parts to do it with. Yea, there seemed to be sufficient clearance under that elbow (the shortest elbow Summit lists) but the first time I accidentally bottomed out the suspension, the axle closed the elbow halfway shut. As long as you never bottome out the suspension, you'll be fine. But accidents DO happen. I happened to be on a grass overgrown road and found a deep pothole the grass had hidden. As for someone not posting pics, and others not believing what was posted, many of us trust each other in that regard as to what we post. I didn't have a camera to take pics at that point in time to post so doubters like you could be shown pics. You don't believe what we're telling you? Fine, go ahead and do what we've already done and find out for yourself. It's your money.

 

[5.0]

As for someone not posting pics, and others not believing what was posted, many of us trust each other in that regard as to what we post. I didn't have a camera to take pics at that point in time to post so doubters like you could be shown pics. You don't believe what we're telling you? Fine, go ahead and do what we've already done and find out for yourself. It's your money.

Settle down man, I believe everyone who says they had a smashed elbow. My engine may be located differently than yours or I may have my elbow up just a bit higher... but it's hard to say without seeing a pic of what you had. In no way at all do I think you're a liar!

If we all used the exact same motor mounts in the exact same locations with the exact same elbow cut the exact same way, it would be the end of the story. I feel there are too many variables involved to simply say "no dude, it won't work". The pic request would have simply given people an idea of what "it won't work" looks like. If it doesn't work for me, I'll be sure to take pictures and measurements from all directions and angles to show exactly what didn't work.


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