Torque Monster headers install problems

[Mr. Long Island]

I "think" you may have a set of "ranger" swap headers.

so what your saying is.........swapping a v8 explorer motor into a ranger
would change the position (or configuration) of the spark plug holes..???


just trying to understand the logic here..

 

[Dono]

I'll reply to what Turdle is saying.....

"None of us have a clue as to what happened."

I cant even guess. I bought my torquemonster headers used, and they have issues, but nothing like that. Its unbelievable.

Biff, Did you even manage to get shorty plugs in there? Im guessing the collectors matched to the exhaust pipes? Its even stranger if they do.

Something went horribly wrong in the manufacturing of these.

 

[Dono]

I have a question...
What 'If' the headers were made for a 97 1/2 + Explorer with aftermarket heads like AFR's?

That might explain whats going on.

 

[Mr. Long Island]

ok....thanks

because on the "torque monster" website....you can clearly see
the difference in the "ranger/bronco2 swap" headers....they are
TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY different than the pics biff posted...

hmmmmm this is very interesting...

:exp:

 

[Turdle]

so what your saying is.........swapping a v8 explorer motor into a ranger
would change the position (or configuration) of the spark plug holes..???


just trying to understand the logic here..

Because someone on here did a swap into a 1st gen and had to use the shorty plugs. I believe the headers were tighter to the block to clear the first gen frame rails-
That was my logic.

 

[biff9703]

I have the answer, and it's even stranger than any of you thought. I pulled the headers out, was easy, I'm pretty practiced now and put the later cast iron exhaust manifolds in that i was going to use before I was offered the headers, which I also bought used. Just out of curiosity, I bolted them onto the long block I pulled from my truck. They fit perfectly! The standard plugs go right in, and as Dono asked, they did fit the exhaust on the truck just fine when they were in. I had no issues installing them, and was convinced they were for the later GT40P heads on my new engine because they had the external egr. Lesson learned: when you buy used parts, they aren't always as advertised. I'm so tired of working on it, I don't know if I will get my other heads reconditioned and install them with the headers in the future or not. Replacing heads with the engine in the truck looks like a backbreaking job, and I don't know if I'm up to it. I need my truck back. It's been over 3 weeks without it. And, as for Turdle's question, I have the model numbers from the headers. It's stamped right on the Torque Monster badges. Model:9601-50-Ex-1. carb no. D-589.

 

[Turdle]

That would explain it.

 

[Dono]

I wish someone (including you) had the time, energy, and money to drop aluminum heads on and use those headers.

 

[biff9703]

I don't know which set of aluminum heads would be a perfect match! I'm certainly tired of experimenting!

 

[Dono]

I think any AFR head would bolt up.
Im sure P heads are the ******* child with the angled plugs. Turdle, or AHodges would answer that for sure.

I agree with you though, definitely out of patience with this.
There is so little room in our engine bays, it makes this painful at best.

Not to mention, its not like these are $300 headers or anything, there's a substantial amount of cash layed out on them.

For what its worth, the 'P' heads are among the best iron heads Ford manufactured.
I do feel your pain on this.

 

[Turdle]

I wonder if an additional flange used as a spacer would help?

3/8" might make a world of difference.

As far as heads , or which to use, well, the Edelbrock heads I used were very similar to the gt40 heads, other than the port and bolt location. Back then Robert had to make a custom set of headers to fit them.

I have installed or helped install 6 or so sets of these and for the life of me I can't say what is wrong, but something sure aint right.

 

[biff9703]

Well, they fit the older GT40 heads just fine. For the life of me, I can't understand why they have the external EGR, though. That is what made me think they were for the later heads. I guess I'll sit on them awhile, see how the truck runs with the slightly better iron manifolds and make a decision as to whether to install them with the proper heads, or find a new home for them. I'm the third owner, but they have never been run on an engine. I hate to let them go since they are like new. Sure had a lot of problems, though. Thanks to everyone for all your advice and interest in this job!

 

[shadowless127]

Well, they fit the older GT40 heads just fine. For the life of me, I can't understand why they have the external EGR, though. That is what made me think they were for the later heads. I guess I'll sit on them awhile, see how the truck runs with the slightly better iron manifolds and make a decision as to whether to install them with the proper heads, or find a new home for them. I'm the third owner, but they have never been run on an engine. I hate to let them go since they are like new. Sure had a lot of problems, though. Thanks to everyone for all your advice and interest in this job!

From what everyone has said and those pictures I would wager to say they are in fact FOR a GT40P ERA engine, but not the GT40P heads. I'm sure they'll line up with either AFR or trick flow heads.

 

[Dono]

From what everyone has said and those pictures I would wager to say they are in fact FOR a GT40P ERA engine, but not the GT40P heads. I'm sure they'll line up with either AFR or trick flow heads.

This is what I'm thinking also.
It would be wonderful to get them up against an aluminum head and see what port and plug placement look like. Problem is, you need a head handy.

 

[biff9703]

I may be able to do that. My pal who did the machine work and owns an engine shop gets heads in for customers all the time. His shop name is Performance Engines. He does high performance engines for cars, racing, boats, and pretty much anything that goes vroom vroom! I'll ask him if I can do a comparison when he gets a set of ford heads in. Thanks for a good idea! I'll post my findings when I get the chance.

 

[boominXplorer]

I bet they would bolt right on mid 97 model with GT40 heads and external EGR. Build dates prob 8/96-11/96. Now to find that buyer.......

 

[delexploder]

I bet they would bolt right on mid 97 model with GT40 heads and external EGR. Build dates prob 8/96-11/96. Now to find that buyer.......

Thats what i was wondering

 

[biff9703]

Well they bolt right on my GT40 heads with internal EGR. I test fitted them on my old engine that's still on the engine stand. The standard plugs fit very easily as well. I never knew until now that there were external EGR equipped heads. California only? I don't know.

 

[Turdle]

Well they bolt right on my GT40 heads with internal EGR. I test fitted them on my old engine that's still on the engine stand. The standard plugs fit very easily as well. I never knew until now that there were external EGR equipped heads. California only? I don't know.

Most aftermarket heads will be of the earlier type I believe. If they were going into a 98 up ( like my Turdle) you would need your headers, to accommodate the external egr. I bet your headers will fit aftermarket heads now that I have slept on it.

 

[Dono]

So, we all sound like were coming to the same conclusion. I sure hope you can get ahold of some aftermarket heads and prove us right, or wrong.