Hi guys. 
i'm almost done with a motor swap and i'm wanting to put some shorty (blockhugger) headers on it.  (it's a 1974).

well, i dry fit the driver's side header and the second tube hits the steering box.  is this common to have to "ding" the header tube there?  i thought blockhugger headers were made to alleviate that.

does anyone have any experience in using the shorty headers?
and did you need to dent the tube?
maybe i need to use a particular brand?

thanks guys.

jeff
Hmel '742008-04-15 05:24:56

Make sure all of your mounts(engine/trans) are in good shape first. Most of the headers for Shark cars do come close, or actually touch the steering box, no matter who makes them...
You may have to "modify" the tube to fit, but check your mounts first, and replace if needed.
I think there are some pics posted of others here that have the same problem, and how close the headers fit...don't remember which thread, but I think the one from DaveM, when he installed the new engine in his '82, may have some pics...

On my 72 with a 454, I have Heddman Headers and they just barely touched the steering box. I had to "massage" the second tube just a little bit around the box. I have heard that this is very common, and I had already taken joel's advice on changing my tranny and motor mounts because of a previous problem with my fan shroud being to far over toward the passenger side. So I know my mounts were OK.