Ford Windsor Forums

I am (attempting) installing an '00 Mountaineer 302 into a 28 year old 245 Volvo.  This is intended to be a daily driver, street stock vehicle.  The iron headers are not going to work because of clearance on the right side as they dump straight back.  The left side clearance is tight because of the steering shaft but the iron manifold sure is tighter than any of the tube headers I have looked at.  The engine must be mounted within 2" of the firewall because of the cross member/steering rack, oil pan and cooling fan clearance.  I need the right exhaust dump to be down no further back than the back of the block.  Looked at both the pre '94 Mustang headers and the '94 - '95 Mustang headers.  Both appear that they might work.  The '94-'95 left header has an EGR fitting that I need but the pre '94 apparently does not.

 Anyone been here?  Anyone got an opinion or recommendation on what used OEM headers, or after market header might best work?  What is going to happen if I use the stock iron manifold on the left side and a tube header on the right?

 Thanks for any comments.

I'd avoid using headers & manifold in combination as the flow rate differences might cause some balance and vibration problems if it is pronounced enough. Might also cause mix problems. Try to keep the engine running as symetrically as possible.

Maybe some of the hot-rod headers would work for you, either that or there are a tonne of aftermarket 5.0 headers which might do the job. Hard to say without seeing which would be best.

If you go with ebay specials, then at least experimenting wont cost you much

I gave up and bought the Mustang '93 Ford Racing GT40P stainless steel headers hoping to be able to reuse the spark plug wires.  No such luck.  But it does look like the exhaust may work now.  I will have to weld the EGR bung on but that is doable.  Gotta get the engine mounts designed/made next.  Glad this is just a hobby.  I would not recommend anyone try an engine swap into a different car for profit.

It'd be ok if you were paid by the hour ;)