Fender well headers

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65MagnumFish

65MagnumFish
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Hey everyone,
I am preparing my 65’ barracuda for primer in the engine bay. I got to thinking that I should prolly cut some openings for the fender well headers before paint. Dilemma is not sure which headers I should plan for and what sized opening I should cut? Great pics on here but measurements would be greatly appreciated. I am leaning towards Hooker super comps. Figured I’d ask the experts. I’ll be running man steering, 360 magnum, 904, and sticking with torsion bar setup. Thanks everyone.
 
I would contact their tech support and get a printable copy of the fender well cutout templates. From what I've read, though, a lot of people have found the templates are too large and it's best to start small and trim the openings to fit for a cleaner installation.
 
download the instruction PDF and it will have a template that you can print out. PDF are not scaled s it will print out to good dimensions. The hole is to install the header as you 'screw' it into this hole and what you are left with is a gaping hole around 3 pipes. Make the hole with a plasma cutter or a body saw and KEEP THE PIECE! use the piece to fab a slightly oversized patch panel that you can do a final cut to fit around the pipes and then pop rivet it or screw into place as youll need to remove the panel to remove the headers. Give yourself enough clearance that the motor will not torque into the panels.
Here is an old vid showing a 65 inner being removed, note the size of the Super Comp hole where the rusted panel is at the rear.
 
Last edited:
Just came across these in an old build file...For a Big Block but probably close to the same...PITA turning a PDF into an image
 

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Hey everyone,
I am preparing my 65’ barracuda for primer in the engine bay. I got to thinking that I should prolly cut some openings for the fender well headers before paint. Dilemma is not sure which headers I should plan for and what sized opening I should cut? Great pics on here but measurements would be greatly appreciated. I am leaning towards Hooker super comps. Figured I’d ask the experts. I’ll be running man steering, 360 magnum, 904, and sticking with torsion bar setup. Thanks everyone.

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Then do things in the correct order. Don't cut until you HAVE the headers. Every car and every set of headers are both a little different. If you try to use a template now, without the headers, you'll surely need to trim something else later. I can almost guarantee it.
 
Then do things in the correct order. Don't cut until you HAVE the headers. Every car and every set of headers are both a little different. If you try to use a template now, without the headers, you'll surely need to trim something else later. I can almost guarantee it.
Understandable. Solid advise. The car I’m working on is the biggest mess I’ve worked on and I teach auto body to high schoolers. I’m getting there but it’s a slow process.
 
Understandable. Solid advise. The car I’m working on is the biggest mess I’ve worked on and I teach auto body to high schoolers. I’m getting there but it’s a slow process.

Tell you what you do. One day, when you have the rear wheels off take a measurement from the inside of the wheel lip to the mounting face of the brake drum on both sides. LOL These cars were literally slapped together.
 
Are you happy with the headers? The dougs headers are crazy money and I heard the fender well super comps flow better, is that true?
I bought the headers 4 years ago and this is as far as I have gotten, yes they are supposed to flow much better. And yes, Rusty is right, but so fare so good on my 66 Valiant

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I bought the headers 4 years ago and this is as far as I have gotten, yes they are supposed to flow much better. And yes, Rusty is right, but so fare so good on my 66 Valiant

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And look how slow you're going. No offense, I say that as a good thing. I know you've had more than your fair share of life happen, but still, you're taking your time and gettin Victoria right. She's gonna be badass.
 
And look how slow you're going. No offense, I say that as a good thing. I know you've had more than your fair share of life happen, but still, you're taking your time and gettin Victoria right. She's gonna be badass.
Thank you Rusty, yep it's been slow, sometimes steady, fuel pump and carb will be going on today, then when I can buy trans fluid and oil the kick down and throttle goes on. And hope to fire the old girl up, should be getting close to Fun Times :thumbsup:

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Do they still make the fenderwell headers for a SB 65 Dart?, should be the same as Your car.
 
Thank you Rusty, yep it's been slow, sometimes steady, fuel pump and carb will be going on today, then when I can buy trans fluid and oil the kick down and throttle goes on. And hope to fire the old girl up, should be getting close to Fun Times :thumbsup:

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You're gonna have to learn to drive her all over again and be careful. That ain't a 170 you got in there anymore. lol
 
Like I said the holes they tell you to cut are only for installation. Once they are in there your going to want to cover the 6" gaps with a patch panel. Id recommend screwing the headers into the fenderwell holes before the motor because once you get them in place youll have <1/2 inches on the passenger side to move those headers around, and that is the easy side!

WHY! fenderwells?

because he bought them! C'mon.....Im sure he thought this through before dropping >$600 on a set of headers. He's asking for guidance, not grief counseling.
 
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