SBF shorty headers

[travis]

I have been running these stainless JBA 1628S shorty headers for years on my ‘83 F150/351w. Since I’m installing a mucho more better engine in the ‘83, I’m also upgrading to long tube 1 5/8” headers. The tired “backup” 351w from the ‘83 is going into the ‘87 F150 for now, along with the shorty’s. When I pulled the shorty’s off the ‘83, something didn’t look right. These are supposed to be 2.5” outlets...they aren’t even close, measuring 2.070-2.090” on the ID of the outlets. Should I open the ID of the outlets up to at least close to 2.5”, or will that little pinch area even matter at the sub-350hp level?

Also...one of the outlets is visibly oblong and leaked a bit even with some goop to help seal the area better. I need something that will seal a larger gap. Suggestions? There is no budget left for this truck (the ‘87) for now, so it’s just getting leftovers to get it going as the ‘83 has cost WAY more to finish it up than expected.

The calipers are set at 2.50” in that pic

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[GARY C]

Isn't ex quoted in od size?

Probably best to cut your balls off and just weld your pipe to the dominant collector... Kind of like marriage.

[Joe-71]

That will not hurt the performance a bit. I have run them both ways, and couldn't tell any difference. '92 F-150 5.8 ported heads, ported upper and lower intake and plenum, throttle bodies, dual exhausts, etc. Joe-71

[travis]

That will not hurt the performance a bit. I have run them both ways, and couldn't tell any difference. '92 F-150 5.8 ported heads, ported upper and lower intake and plenum, throttle bodies, dual exhausts, etc. Joe-71

I suspected as much. Thanks Joe

[travis]

Isn't ex quoted in od size?

Probably best to cut your balls off and just weld your pipe to the dominant collector... Kind of like marriage.

Pipe is measured in OD, mufflers are measured by ID. Not sure on the header collectors...I’ve never measured them that I remember.

Interesting analogy, BTW

[GARY C]

Isn't ex quoted in od size?

Probably best to cut your balls off and just weld your pipe to the dominant collector... Kind of like marriage.

Pipe is measured in OD, mufflers are measured by ID. Not sure on the header collectors...I’ve never measured them that I remember.

Interesting analogy, BTW

Yeah just being goofy, I can't say I have ever measured a collector either.