MasterDave

I just installed my Dynomax ceramic coated 1.5/8" headers onto my sbc last night. The fit is great except for one item. The collector/reducer tubes hit the floor pan tabs. They don't ride hard, just touch. These are the body mounted tabs that mount the triangle shaped pans on each side of the frame. I guess they keep dirt & water out of the engine compartment. Anyway, I know the reducers can be cut back an inch or so to clear but then the pipe would have to be bent at a pretty sharp angle so as not to ride these tabs and the pipes would be very close to the underside of the body (maybe an inch clearance or so it appears). Anyone experience this problem? If so what did ya do? Thanks...... :confused:

Denney

MasterDave, you can just drill out the rivets and remove them and save them for that NCRS body off restoration someday... :lol: (but if you do you will need to put nuts/washers on the two bolts that hold the accelerator pedal down). I assume you already removed those inner splash shields to fit the headers so those brackets are doing nothing for you anymore... :thumbs:

Bluestripe67

MasterDave You might try to eliminate the torque roll of the engine by putting a turnbuckle (driver side) between the top water pump bolt and the intersection between the frame and front crossmember. I bought mine at the local hardware store. One end is an eye, the other a hook. The collector flange on my headers for factory side exhaust would torque up into the frame and I was worried about a pipe breaking at the head flange. Cured the problem for the last 8-9 years. If you problem is on the passenger this won't work. :cheers:

MasterDave

Thanks for the input fellas. Well it looks like I'll have to remove the tabs and at the very least modify the splash shields to clear the collectors. I didn't think of leaving them off entirely but I suppose that's a possibility also. Is there an advantage/disadvantage to leaving 'em off? :cool:

Bluestripe67

If you leave them on you get airborn a little sooner! :jester