right up the JBA guy's darkside. This has hit all new levels of frustration. I've never heard any complaints of this problem... but here it is:

 

Did they sell you that saying it would "definately" fit the 351? If so, that is seriously unlucky! Can you remove it and take it back??

 

Actually I've seen the same problem somewheres else. You definetly have the wrong headers, and I'd talk to the guy you bought them from. A question, do you have the serial code on them? Post if you do. I'm guessing that they are mid-length shorty's. If they don't fit, in the case that they are the "proper" headers, go to another manufacturer. There have been cases of companies getting something wrong, we are human right?, but yeah, post the codes if you could, Nathan

 

The are the correct number as stated in the JBA master catalog: 1653.

UPDATE: I made them fit by grinding the tab off my block. No harm, but when you pay the tab JBA asks the darn things should bolt on like no others.

And now I am preparing to find the creators of Stage 8 locking header bolts and having them come and demonsrate how they can possibly fit on a FORD 351W with HEADERS!!! I have had to grind every to get them on.... this is getting insane.

 

Those are the right headers then. The code 1653 is right according to JBA for your 351W. And as far as the bolts go, keep on grinding. As well as myself, I'm sure anybody will tell you that half of the time, parts that are "made" for your car, will never fit as well as you would like them too, Nathan

 

Oh, and by the way, I was at a car show today, and saw some beautiful Mustangs. There was a '67 vert there with a 351W. It looked real nice, until they popped the hood. I was utterly dissapointed. Everything was filthy, grasy, and nothing looked like it should have. It was like they took the breather off, and raided the engine compartement with a can of tremclad blue. But anyways, the nicest car there by far was a 1970 BOSS 302. It was beautiful, and it had original paint, and just about everything else. I stood there staring for so long that one guy came up to me and asked if it was my car, Nathan