Hooker Sidemount Question
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 99
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From: Bossier City Louisiana
Hooker Sidemount Question
I am about 75% complete with my '73 body-off resto. I have installed the engine, tranny, and driveline in the frame to check for fit and everything is lovely
. I have installed my hooker sidemount headers and have good clearance .
My question is this . . . when I try to install the hooker sidepipes, the right side aligns perfectly with the mount holes in the frame, but the left sidepipe is running about 1 1/2" below the mount holes
. I have re-adjusted the side-to-side fit of the engine and mounts and everything looks perfect. The pipe is running parallel with the frame as it should be but lower than the right side. I am afraid to force the sidepipe upward to match the holes for fear of damaging the headers. Has anyone encountered this problem.
I am trying to work out as many problems as I can before mounting the body. HELP!!
. I have installed my hooker sidemount headers and have good clearance . My question is this . . . when I try to install the hooker sidepipes, the right side aligns perfectly with the mount holes in the frame, but the left sidepipe is running about 1 1/2" below the mount holes
. I have re-adjusted the side-to-side fit of the engine and mounts and everything looks perfect. The pipe is running parallel with the frame as it should be but lower than the right side. I am afraid to force the sidepipe upward to match the holes for fear of damaging the headers. Has anyone encountered this problem.I am trying to work out as many problems as I can before mounting the body. HELP!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 2
From: Warrensburg, MO
Ron,
It's because you failed to account for the sucking force on the Shreveport (right) side of the car. Where are you taking the measurements? If it's on the frame, then something is twisted. If off the floor, then it might be tire or spring pressure. I'll try and stop by sometime this week.
Jimbo
It's because you failed to account for the sucking force on the Shreveport (right) side of the car. Where are you taking the measurements? If it's on the frame, then something is twisted. If off the floor, then it might be tire or spring pressure. I'll try and stop by sometime this week.
Jimbo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
My experience is that the jigs Hooker uses when welding up their side pipes seem a bit loose. On a survey taken a few years ago I recall that most Hooker side pipe users found the pipes running under the frame on the driver side were hitting the frame while on the passenger side (right side) were clearing just fine.
In any event, don't force the fit making the installation under stress during normal driving. You may need to either drill new holes if everything else is OK, or if bad enough, very carefully bend them (using heat is best) to fit better.
I had to flatten my pipes a bit as they passed under the drivers frame rail. I did so making them into a "D" shape to give about 1/2" clearance below the frame. I had to fabricate a round saddle to fit the pipes into to to use my press to gently flatten the top portion of the pipe. I doubt that I lost any significant flow from my efforts. It sound like your problem amay be the opposite of mine. But none the less, I don't have much faith in the integrity of the Hooker welding jigs!
Chuck
In any event, don't force the fit making the installation under stress during normal driving. You may need to either drill new holes if everything else is OK, or if bad enough, very carefully bend them (using heat is best) to fit better.
I had to flatten my pipes a bit as they passed under the drivers frame rail. I did so making them into a "D" shape to give about 1/2" clearance below the frame. I had to fabricate a round saddle to fit the pipes into to to use my press to gently flatten the top portion of the pipe. I doubt that I lost any significant flow from my efforts. It sound like your problem amay be the opposite of mine. But none the less, I don't have much faith in the integrity of the Hooker welding jigs!
Chuck
