Headers hitting the steering box
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 1
From: Pineville Kentucky
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Headers hitting the steering box
Just got thru putting my BB back in my 73, all was smooth except for my driver side header is hitting the steering box. How do you bend the header without destroying the ceramic coating?? Headers are Hedman HTC's
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
You don't, that's why I always buy my headers uncoated and and get them coated later. I will continue to do so until some company makes C3 headers that actually fit C3"s.
One thing you can do is find a place that does the ceramic coating and ask for some of it. You can put it on a spot that has been dinged, then you need to heat it up with a torch to cure it. It will be noticable but better than chipped off
One thing you can do is find a place that does the ceramic coating and ask for some of it. You can put it on a spot that has been dinged, then you need to heat it up with a torch to cure it. It will be noticable but better than chipped off
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
i installed my headers and sidepipes that i got from Jet-Hot and they hit my steering system from steeriods so i took the header out and put a mechanics rag in the spot that i needed to dent and beat the living **** out of it and let me tell you that it wasnt easy to dent and the coating never came off or even chipped. 
Jet-Hot rules
Jet-Hot rules
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: Va
Ditto to what Motorhead said
always test fit before coating, on my Small block I had 3 tweaks to make, before coating cost an additional $50 for shipping to/from, but worth it in my opinion.
You can call Jet-Hot to let them know what you are doing and they would probably recoat it for you at no charge - other than shipping to and from.
You can call Jet-Hot to let them know what you are doing and they would probably recoat it for you at no charge - other than shipping to and from.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
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From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Originally Posted by 2th farmer
So just knock the h@#$ out of it?? Good, I can do that!
Boy, sure is fun spending someone else's money instead of mine
Bullshark
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jennings LA
mark the area with a sharpie then remove the header 
you will have to lift the motor back up with a big block to get it out, at least I did. then use a large socket 1" as a body dolly. turn the socket on its side and beat on it with a large hammer. it will bend the header and look much nicer than just beating it with just a hammer. I dont think there is any other soloution than beating it in to clear
you will have to lift the motor back up with a big block to get it out, at least I did. then use a large socket 1" as a body dolly. turn the socket on its side and beat on it with a large hammer. it will bend the header and look much nicer than just beating it with just a hammer. I dont think there is any other soloution than beating it in to clear
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 1
From: Pineville Kentucky
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Originally Posted by Bullshark
Brent, why don't you consider changing to Steeroids, gets rid of the steering box, gives you the benifit of rack and pinion steering.
Boy, sure is fun spending someone else's money instead of mine
Bullshark
Boy, sure is fun spending someone else's money instead of mine
Bullshark
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by gator79
you will have to lift the motor back up with a big block to get it out, at least I did.
Originally Posted by gator79
use a large socket 1" as a body dolly. turn the socket on its side and beat on it with a large hammer. it will bend the header and look much nicer than just beating it with just a hammer. I dont think there is any other soloution than beating it in to clear
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by Bullshark
Brent, why don't you consider changing to Steeroids, gets rid of the steering box, gives you the benifit of rack and pinion steering.
Boy, sure is fun spending someone else's money instead of mine
Bullshark
Boy, sure is fun spending someone else's money instead of mine
Bullshark
Would be more economical to beat the tube...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 1
From: Pineville Kentucky
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Originally Posted by GDaina
Ummmm...spend a thousand so you don't have to dent one header tube? Would be more economical to beat the tube...
Would be more economical to beat the tube... 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
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From: Jennings LA
Originally Posted by GDaina
I never had to do that, even with the 533.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Originally Posted by GDaina
Ummmm...spend a thousand so you don't have to dent one header tube? Would be more economical to beat the tube...
Would be more economical to beat the tube... Bullshark
Last edited by Bullshark; Feb 26, 2006 at 10:25 AM.
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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My 2-1/8" Hookers slip in and out without raising the motor at all. The last set of 2" Hookers did too and a previous set of 2" Hedmans were the same way.
The socket (or a piece of pipe) deal is the smoothest way to do it. Looks nicer.
I've found that simple silver high heat header paint blends in very well on Jet Hot stuff if they get messed up. But it's tough stuff...you won't hurt it with a hammer.
JIM
The socket (or a piece of pipe) deal is the smoothest way to do it. Looks nicer.
I've found that simple silver high heat header paint blends in very well on Jet Hot stuff if they get messed up. But it's tough stuff...you won't hurt it with a hammer.
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
On my 68 L-36 I had to remove the engine mount and jack up the engine a bit to remove the drivers side exhaust manifold. It absolutely would not come out otherwise, even after unbolting it and having it apart from the head... it just could not be removed!
Headers just barely cleared the steering box but did make contact with the idler arm on the passenger side.
Headers just barely cleared the steering box but did make contact with the idler arm on the passenger side.