my new side pipes just arrived (hooker side pipes) i just put the driver side in and found that it is touching the steering box ????.
i don't know if it is ok to touch .I anyone has put them in a 1981 corvette i could use your help .

 

I have been through this same issue in the past. In some cases I have found that the "cradle" has collapsed and the frame needed to be pulled...which was needed due to the upper control arm shaft was no longer able to be adjusted for a front end alignment...due to NO SHIMS between the shaft and the cradle mount bracket for the upper control arm. Also the power steering pulley was too close to the cradle and it was due to a past accident where the frame was never pulled correctly...so a belt could be changed without a lot of extra work.

I have also run into Corvettes that were correct in regards to the frame and the headers were manufactured a little "off". And sometimes requires either another set being sent out...or dimpling the pipe just a bit to get the air space needed so you so not rub and wear a hole in the pipe. Check your motor mounts to make sure that they are in good condition.

I feel your pain, because buying a part and having problems with installation...especially when you would think that everything should go in "rikki-tick"...and it does not....takes all of the excitement to an improvement/alteration away.

"DUB"

 

I am pretty sure my frame is bent on my 73 and have the same problem. I repaced an old set of rusted headers with new ones last year. Had to put a big dent in the tubes to get it to clear. I also had to "modify" the headers in a couple other spots to get them to fit right.

I prefitted the headers and found the line i needed to dent. I took a screwdriver and put it up to the headers and beat on it with a hammer to get the shape Ii needed. It took quite a few tries to get everything to clear.

 

thank's for the input ,this weekend i'm going to work on the pipes and see what happens.

 

I had the same problem in my 69. It required the tube to be flattened with a hammer. It took quite a few hits to get it going, but I didn't want to over do it. I used the hammer by itself, not with a screwdriver.

Patience and earplugs are helpful!