Hi all, I just finished putting my car back together. I rebuilt the engine (302), put headers on the car and installed a Hughes 2500 RPM stall converter and floor shifter. The heads now have hardened seats, Comp Cams pushrod guide plates, screw in rocker studs, Comp Cams Magnum pushrods and roller tip rocker arms. The block has a 292 hydraulic cam and ARP rod bolts. The headers I put on are Hooker Competition Headers. I should have steered clear of them when I read the list of Fords they fit. If they fit that many Fords, they couldn't fit any of them very well. They certainly don't fit a Maverick very well. I've put on a few sets of headers over the years and I have to say this was the hardest installation I've ever done! Next will be a Powertrax No-Slip differential and lower gears. I don't know what gears I want. I want good launches but still be streetable. Maybe 3.8:1 gears? Things that make you go hmmmmm!
Its a funny thing with Hooker headers, some people have problems and some dont, only issue I have had with them is hitting the pittman arm slightly. Must be a quality control issue I would go with some 3.50ish gears they will give you a respectable launch and decent highway speed at about 2,800 rpm(depending on tire size) Sounds like you will have a nice street machine when you get done
I had to make a bracket to lower the steering linkage a little for the hookers to clear,just hope you never have to replace the gaskets..
my hooker 6901s went right in but they are hitting the sub frame a little. but nothing to worry about.i also put them in as i was lowering the motor in.
I had to buy a longer bracket from Hooker to lower the power steering cylinder to clear the left header. Also I cut off the stock collector and welded on Flowmaster ball & socket type collector. Now the new collector bolt tab hits the sub frame so I need to deal with that. I will try to grind the tab welds and rotate the tab a little.
