Headers "touching" [Archive] - Team Camaro Tech

: Headers "touching"


67 Convertible
Aug 2nd, 05, 07:41 AM
Put Hedman elite coated headers on my car a couple of weeks ago. Driver's side, the pipe touches the power steering (not jammed in there, but enough to start a little scraping on the pipe) Passengers side, the last pipe is touching the fire wall, again not jammed in, but touching so close that you can't slide a piece of paper between the pipe and the wall. Should I be concerned with heat at all? I read somewhere (maybe here) that people have cut a wedge of wood and hammered it between the pipe and whatever it was touching to get a little space between the two points. Has anyone tried this? Should the touching be of concern?

Jon13
Aug 2nd, 05, 08:05 AM
I'd be more concerned from the pipes touching and cutting through the fire wall eventually. Also I'd think the heat wouldn't be good for the gear box. On my '67 I had a clamp actually rub through an oil filter, it was a mess and I've paid special attention to header rubbing ever since.

tejasrs/ss
Aug 2nd, 05, 11:29 AM
I was just about to buy a set of Hedman Elites..what size engine do yo have and what is the actual part number you are using?? I hate to have the same problems.

TJS69
Aug 2nd, 05, 12:33 PM
What frame stands and motor mounts are you using ? Do you have an HEI ?

67 Convertible
Aug 2nd, 05, 01:05 PM
327/275 hp, no HEI, PS, manual brakes, no A/C, motor mounts are factory original. I used Hedman elites, Summit part #HED-68278. It was a real easy install, they went right in with no problems, except for slight touching on the fire wall and PS box. I am concerned about heat. Does anyone think hammering the wedge of wood to get a little distance will work?

timbo68
Aug 2nd, 05, 01:54 PM
I was looking at that same header as it seems to be able to work with p/s and manual tranny. I have driver side mounted alternator. What did you use for a bracket. Has anyone used these with manula tranny?? Pics??

sicsD8
Aug 2nd, 05, 02:36 PM
If they're already touching when standing still, then they'll be making more contact when the engine moves under acceleration. You need at least a half inch clearance to be safe.

thorpe67RS
Aug 2nd, 05, 02:46 PM
I can almost hear that sinking feeling in your stomach 67Conv. I wish i had a suggestion for you. Someone else on here has to have used these headers on their car.

67 Convertible
Aug 2nd, 05, 04:14 PM
Originally posted by timbo68: I have driver side mounted alternator. What did you use for a bracket.I just bought the chrome set up at Auto Zone, the single arm (one bolt to the water pump) and a 2 piece adjustable bracket that attaches the alt. to the headers. Cheap set up, we'll see how long it lasts. When the car is sitting, I do have about 1/8" clearance between the back pipe and where the firewall bends under, but the drivers side is touching the PS slightly. Think I'm going to try hammering a wedge of wood between, to see if I can bend the pipe away enough, don't think it will do any harm? Unless someone else has a solution? Maybe just leave it alone?

tejasrs/ss
Aug 2nd, 05, 04:26 PM
dang I hope someone has a solution because those were the exact same ones I was going to purchase. Anyone know if the motor mounts for a 350 the same as a 327???

speedfreek
Aug 2nd, 05, 04:40 PM
my drivers side hedman torq step headder has been touching the ps box for 3 years now, no known problems and have had no problems with overheating, it just scratched the paint off. for your pass side, put that silver heat tape in between, hopefully it wont show or look too bad.

JimM
Aug 2nd, 05, 06:37 PM
I'd pull the headers and aquire some clearance with a "ferd tool" Even an eigth will do it.

On the alternator bracket, after breaking seven of thos cheap steel things, I went with a bracket for a 79 vette. This works with drivers side alternators and short pumps, but you need accesory holes in the front of the heads to use it, so no joy if you have original heads.

http://home.comcast.net/~jimragtop/2.jpg