Aug 2005 R3 Headers -------------------------------------- April 1999 I know the R3 headers do not fit '53 - '57 C or K bodies, at least those with the Ross TL type steering boxes used durring those years. Due to interference with the steering pitman arm. I have seen R3 headers installed on a '58 Golden Hawk without interference and seem to recall hearing somewhere that changes were made to the steering boxes in '58 but I don't think I ever heard anything more specific about it than that. '58 would be my best guess for when this change was made but that's all it is. Mark Frost ------------------------------------- One substitution for the hawks is to substitute the steering box from a champion (c/k) as they used the saginaw box. However, the saginaw unit did not have the variable steering ratio of the Ross but is that a real problem??? Jetman ----------------------------------- This is going to be interesting. I have a set of those headers that I'm going to put on my 55. It has the Saginaw power steering unit. I'll give a report on what I find out. David V ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- The Plain Brown Wrapper has stock R3 headers with 2 1/4" exhaust all the way back, as allowed by the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race rules. The entire exhaust system, including custom-made oval mufflers, was built by Don Simmons at Silvertone Exhaust Systems in Ontario. I am sure he could build an identical system for anyone who wants one. But forewarned is forearmed; tailpipes of that size are a TIGHT fit in the area behind the axle housing, the frame, and the front edge of the gas tank! BP ----------------------------------- My experience is that the R3 header has a clearance problem with the steering box. At least on my 53 Commander it's about 3/8" even with the engine mounted all the way to the passenger side. ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- (Apr 2000) stude int'l has the r1/2/3/4 cast iron headers, and also sells a bracket for lark applications to mount an alternator or generator... ----------------------------------- (Apr 2000) Take your NOS exhaust manifolds and blueprint them! Gasket match the ports and then use a Ford Falcon exhaust gasket for a pattern for the outlet of the manifold. A little time with a die grinder and you should be able to equal the flow of the cast headers. With R3 headers, you'll need a special bracket to mount the alternator -------------------------------------------------------- They take a special set of head pipes. ----------------------------------- For your info....Re headers. I made some head mods to my 259 and used the stock exhaust manifolds. The result was fantastic!!! I did the Chevy valve conversion, with the 1.88 intake and 1.5 exhaust valves, Avanti cam, and milled the heads .125 inch. The compression is now in the 9.5 or 10 :1. Carb is AFB. All these mods cost about $300. The increase in HP is enormous. You can feel it in the low end and at the top end. Throttle response is immediate and it now very easily smokes the tires. I have 265-50-15s on the back, and they do smok R3 Headers in a Lark 59-61 -------------------------------------------------------------- Has anyone put a V8 with R3 cast iron headers in a 59 Lark and if you did, how did you resolve the major and I emphasize major clearance problems with header to steering box (Ross box)? Background before questions come in: engine mounts are in the correct holes for left hand drive, thick front motor mounts are used, new rear mount in correct holes in cross member. Ron The clearance problems are caused by the pitman arm shaft's boss on the box and if I could clear it the next issue would be the top of the pitman arm. I'm talking about raising the engine 3/4" to 1" inch for everything to clear. Ain't gonna do that. Don't want to deal with getting pinion angle back in spec and related issues. ------------------------------------------------------------- Raising the engine 3/4 " to a 1" is not going to change the angle on the back of the trans more than 1/4 to 1/2 a degree I would be more worried about clearance of the hood but on a Lark you have all kinds of room. The old mounts have probibly compressed more than a 1/4" in their life. And when I was looking at my car I could see a slight difference in the height of shaft to the 3 mounting holes on the frame but was just thinking that was because one was power and the other wasn't. ---------------------------------------------- I'm not sure about the Lark, but I know the headers absolutely would not fit on my '53 with the stock box. Switching to the "SL" (Ross?) box from a later Hawk fixed the problem. Maybe that could point you to a similar solution with your Lark? S2DSteve ------------------------------------------------ I had R-3 headers in a '60 Hawk and a '64 GT- no problems. Paul Johnson ------------------------------------------------------------ I had no clearance problems in my 63 Lark, Hawk should be no problem. ------------------------------------------------ The Super Larks had a offset pitman arm and had a Z'ed link from the pitman arm to the pillow block arm on the center of the front crossmember. --------------------------------------------------- (1960 Lark Convertible) The R 3 headers should fit the '60 convertible. You will probably find the steering column is real close and if your left motor mount is compressed, you might need to shim it up or put a new one in. Three tube headers would definitely be better if you can affor to have them made (unless you can do them yourself). As far as "if they are worth it?", depends on what else you have done as other things will give you more performance for the dollars spent (cam, R 3 valves, gears, etc.). The R 3 headers are definitely better than stock manifolds but you don't gain much for the money they cost. Do try to go with at least 2" exhaust and preferably 2 1/4" and enlarge the manifold outlet as much as you can, even the R 3 headers. You won't be able to get over about 2" in this area though. I seriously doubt Jardine or anyone else made tube headers for the Stude. Back in the '50's there were some "Y" types made but were for the smaller 232 engines. Ted ------------------------------ (Avanti) I have the R3 Headers on my Avanti and they do take a modified exhaust pipe. I have the original Paxton literature that list these along with the headers. Part No. List Net Headers 1559213A $83.50 $50.10 Header Exhaust Pipe(Pair) 1558640A-1 $10.45 $6.27 Jason Ford -----------------------------------