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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 11:37 AM
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Default Need Header Help

I have a friend with a 67 coupe with factory side pipes. He has a GMPP 430 hp SB. The engine uses the GM fast burn aluminum heads. Now for the help question. He tried to have a set of Hedman side pipe headers installed. The shop said they will not fit. There appears to be a clearance problem around the steering box. We believe the problem comes from the heads. They have an extra thick deck and perhaps raised ports. We think this raises the exhaust ports which in turn raises the headers. Anyone ever heard of this? Recommendations/solutions?

Thanks
Tom
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 12:02 PM
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Nowhere Man.....shhhhhhhh! Dennis
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 12:13 PM
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Not me. I sear None of our cars has factory side pipes. I thought he was talking about you
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 12:24 PM
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I think the Chevelle would look good with sidepipes.

Tom
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 12:27 PM
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Make them longer
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
Make them longer
I agree that would probably do it. Problem is I don't think the shop where the car is is can do it. Thought maybe someone here has already sorted it out.

Tom
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 03:08 PM
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Raised ports could be the issue, custom headers or modifying the current ones would solve it.
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 05:01 PM
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It's doable but not easy. Remove the flanges from the old headers and replace with D port flanges. Tack weld them to the primaries. Heat and expand the primaries, shape them and weld inside and out to the new flanges. File the mating surfaces flat. Dress the insides of the runners where they meet the headers with a bur on a die grinder.




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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
Raised ports could be the issue, custom headers or modifying the current ones would solve it.
Stock manifolds on the car right now. Want to change to headers. It looks like Stahl may have what he needs. A bit pricey though.

http://www.stahlheaders.com/Frame%20New%20Drag.htm

Tom
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 08:20 PM
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Here you go Keith.

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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Sky65
I have a friend with a 67 coupe with factory side pipes. He has a GMPP 430 hp SB. The engine uses the GM fast burn aluminum heads. Now for the help question. He tried to have a set of Hedman side pipe headers installed. The shop said they will not fit. There appears to be a clearance problem around the steering box. We believe the problem comes from the heads. They have an extra thick deck and perhaps raised ports. We think this raises the exhaust ports which in turn raises the headers. Anyone ever heard of this? Recommendations/solutions?

Thanks
Tom
Believe those heads have angle plugs. I was leaning towards that same motor also, but angle plugs won't work with my hooker sidemount headers. Close, but #2 plug /wire will be on header tube.
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by skids
Believe those heads have angle plugs. I was leaning towards that same motor also, but angle plugs won't work with my hooker sidemount headers. Close, but #2 plug /wire will be on header tube.
Yeah pretty sure they are angle plug. I have Hookers on my 65 sb and they are 1 3/4 primary tubes. The Headman are 1 5/8 and you can get the Stahl in 1 5/8. I don't know is the smaller tubes will make enough difference with angle plugs or not.

Tom
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 09:14 PM
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Headman side pipe headers on my 327 with AFR D port heads... No problems with the steering box but the drivers side needed some bending to clear the frame rail..

Hitch
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Hitch
Headman side pipe headers on my 327 with AFR D port heads... No problems with the steering box but the drivers side needed some bending to clear the frame rail..

Hitch
Thanks. If the AFRs worked I would have thought the GMPP would work. Hmmmmm. Maybe the shop wasn't willing to "massage" as necessary.

Tom
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Sky65
Thanks. If the AFRs worked I would have thought the GMPP would work. Hmmmmm. Maybe the shop wasn't willing to "massage" as necessary.

Tom
3 foot pry bar and walla...

Now this was prior to JETHOT coating but you can see how close it was...

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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Hitch
3 foot pry bar and walla...

Now this was prior to JETHOT coating but you can see how close it was...

That pic is great! Thanks! Is that the hedman supplied collector flange set up? Did you heat the pipes before.....ahhhh adjusting them?

Tom
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Sky65
That pic is great! Thanks! Is that the hedman supplied collector flange set up? Did you heat the pipes before.....ahhhh adjusting them?

Tom
No I cut off the ball flange and had the shop weld on band clamps 3" collector feeding 3" GNM side pipes.
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 07:32 AM
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Hey Tom:

I ran into the same thing on my 63 with the Heddman headers only the clearance problem was on the pasenger side and I had to shorten the threaded section if the idler arm. I was using Canfield heads, angle plug and raised exhaust ports. Should have ordered the Heddman headers for angle plug heads. Was a big PITA to change plugs. Loosen with open end wrench and remove as socket would not fit on at least four of the plugs due to tube interference. With the angle plug headers they change position of the center tubes from inside to outside or reverse. I don't recall right now.

An option would be to purchase an angled spacer plate to go between the head and the header flange or purchase straight spacer plates and have them machined to the preferred angle.

Rich
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 09:17 AM
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Hey rich. I forgot you used hedmans.
I didn't know they made special angle plug headers. I'll look into that. The shop sent the headers back when they didn't clear so new ones would be doable. You have the borgeson box. That may make a difference on the drivers side.

I'll call you later

Tom
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Old Feb 11, 2014 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Hitch
No I cut off the ball flange and had the shop weld on band clamps 3" collector feeding 3" GNM side pipes.
Would the ball flange make the issue worse?

Tom
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