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I installed Hooker stainless headers on my 73 small block. One of the pipes is real close to the brake proportioning valve. I can not even connect the brake warning wire that connects to the proportioning valve. Any one else have this problem?
Now,.... I remember why quit putting headers on !
Headers always bring small pain in the butt problems,
interference melted stuff, plug wires, boots.
good luck.
I have the Hooker stainless sidemounts, but no issues with the proportioning valve. It is a liitle too close to the steering box, but I'm not going to dimple until I replace with a Borgeson box and see if I have clearance issues then.
What condition are your motor mounts? Maybe some new ones would move motor enough to eliminate the issue. Can you post some pics?
Now,.... I remember why quit putting headers on !
Headers always bring small pain in the butt problems,
interference melted stuff, plug wires, boots.
good luck.
I am glad you wrote this. I have answered the other post related to this issue.
The OP will not post photos and I have mentioned that the metering block may need to be moved and new brake line fabricated and installed.
Once again...as I have said and written here on the Forum in the past..." 95% of the companies that make 'stuff'....make or reproduce it to 95% of being correct....and it TAKES 95% of my TIME to fix that LAST 5% and get it right. Does not surprise me at all. The old...'One size --fits all' scenario.
Hope you figure it out and get it right. And as I wrote...I would be moving the metering block due to being so close to a heat source...but do as you wish..
I have the Hooker stainless sidemounts, but no issues with the proportioning valve. It is a liitle too close to the steering box, but I'm not going to dimple until I replace with a Borgeson box and see if I have clearance issues then.
What condition are your motor mounts? Maybe some new ones would move motor enough to eliminate the issue. Can you post some pics?
Mine will have the side mounts also. Added Steeroids Rack and Pinion. New motor mounts, with 3/16" shims to get header clearance on the steering U-joints (that was a pain!) How close did the header get to the proportioning valve?
Mine will have the side mounts also. Added Steeroids Rack and Pinion. New motor mounts, with 3/16" shims to get header clearance on the steering U-joints (that was a pain!) How close did the header get to the proportioning valve?
I was looking at it yesterday while working on my car. My headers are no where near the brake lines/valve. . . at least 3" gap. My proportioning valve is mounted to a bracket on top & side of frame.
I am glad you wrote this. I have answered the other post related to this issue.
The OP will not post photos and I have mentioned that the metering block may need to be moved and new brake line fabricated and installed.
...
I would be moving the metering block due to being so close to a heat source...but do as you wish..
DUB
The reason DUB is suggesting that you move the metering block is that the brake fluid could boil which causes it to gasify. Gases, like air in the lines, cause a soft brake pedal and inefficient braking or in the worst case, no braking at all.
If there is room, DEI makes header wrap (offered by many of the FORUM vendors) that can provide a solution (temporary or permanent) that may be less challenging than moving the distribution block. You could wrap just the pipe(s) that are the problem or do the entire header.
If there is room, DEI makes header wrap (offered by many of the FORUM vendors) that can provide a solution (temporary or permanent) that may be less challenging than moving the distribution block. You could wrap just the pipe(s) that are the problem or do the entire header.
I was looking at it yesterday while working on my car. My headers are no where near the brake lines/valve. . . at least 3" gap. My proportioning valve is mounted to a bracket on top & side of frame.
Mine is located in the factory position. I can't believe I am having this problem.
Mine is located in the factory position. I can't believe I am having this problem.
I HATE IT for you but I am NOT surprised at all. The darn 'bean-counters' getting involved ...so they can make more $$$$.
Once again...as I have said and written here on the Forum in the past..." 95% of the companies that make 'stuff'....make or reproduce it to 95% of being correct....and it TAKES 95% of my TIME to fix that LAST 5% and get it right. Does not surprise me at all. The old...'One size --fits all' scenario.
Best of luck....I have already given my thoughts on this.
I HATE IT for you but I am NOT surprised at all. The darn 'bean-counters' getting involved ...so they can make more $$$$.
Once again...as I have said and written here on the Forum in the past..." 95% of the companies that make 'stuff'....make or reproduce it to 95% of being correct....and it TAKES 95% of my TIME to fix that LAST 5% and get it right. Does not surprise me at all. The old...'One size --fits all' scenario.
Best of luck....I have already given my thoughts on this.
DUB
You are SOOO Correct! Amazing to me how many parts I have bought that "is made to fit my 73" that I have to modify to work. Major PITA! If can get everything to work on this car, it should be really nice. Thanks again for your input, Frank.
I find it a bit humorous that most everyone on this forum, including many of the so called "experts", always want to blame the aftermarket parts and never want to consider their pride and joy, the C3, just might be more of the problem than the parts that were purchased. There are no 2 C3's out there that are EXACTLY the same. Every single part that goes into making a car has manufacturing tolerances built in and the stack up of all these tolerances result in varying dimensions throughout the vehicle - from one vehicle to another.
A part, any part, that does not fit correctly on your car may very well fit just fine on your buddies car. A set of headers that hit the steering box on your car may fit just fine and clear the box by 1/2" on your buddies car. You can easily get a sense for this just by reading all the varying posts on this forum about parts that don't fit on a particular car while they fit fine on many others. This is why I myself have little faith in the "you get what you pay for" comments. That is just not always the case. Now for sure the better aftermarket parts manufactures do their best to account for the stack up of all the tolerances in the OEM parts their parts have to work with, around or on, but sometimes even their parts have issues.
This is all just part of the hobby we all love and if you are in to modifying your car, something you will have to deal with from time to time. When I myself run into this, I just make the necessary modifications and go on. It's just part of it. And in the end, it makes no difference in what brand of car you are dealing with or what year. It's just reality.
All the above comments take into account zero damage to your car. If there is damage, tweaked, bent, broken frame and so on, well that is a totally different conversation.
I find it a bit humorous that most everyone on this forum, including many of the so called "experts", always want to blame the aftermarket parts and never want to consider their pride and joy, the C3, just might be more of the problem than the parts that were purchased. There are no 2 C3's out there that are EXACTLY the same. Every single part that goes into making a car has manufacturing tolerances built in and the stack up of all these tolerances result in varying dimensions throughout the vehicle - from one vehicle to another.
A part, any part, that does not fit correctly on your car may very well fit just fine on your buddies car. A set of headers that hit the steering box on your car may fit just fine and clear the box by 1/2" on your buddies car. You can easily get a sense for this just by reading all the varying posts on this forum about parts that don't fit on a particular car while they fit fine on many others. This is why I myself have little faith in the "you get what you pay for" comments. That is just not always the case. Now for sure the better aftermarket parts manufactures do their best to account for the stack up of all the tolerances in the OEM parts their parts have to work with, around or on, but sometimes even their parts have issues.
This is all just part of the hobby we all love and if you are in to modifying your car, something you will have to deal with from time to time. When I myself run into this, I just make the necessary modifications and go on. It's just part of it. And in the end, it makes no difference in what brand of car you are dealing with or what year. It's just reality.
All the above comments take into account zero damage to your car. If there is damage, tweaked, bent, broken frame and so on, well that is a totally different conversation.
I agree with your sentiments to a point. Yes the C3 is notorious for inconsistant fit and finish, but too many times I have to make major modifications to new parts, not so much the stock parts. I've learned it is "part of the process" of restoring and upgrading this beautiful car. I look forward to the day I manage to get all the systems working on my 73, and I get to enjoy it! Go Vettes!
I agree with your sentiments to a point. Yes the C3 is notorious for inconsistant fit and finish, but too many times I have to make major modifications to new parts, not so much the stock parts. I've learned it is "part of the process" of restoring and upgrading this beautiful car. I look forward to the day I manage to get all the systems working on my 73, and I get to enjoy it! Go Vettes!
I find it a bit humorous that most everyone on this forum, including many of the so called "experts", always want to blame the aftermarket parts and never want to consider their pride and joy, the C3, just might be more of the problem than the parts that were purchased. There are no 2 C3's out there that are EXACTLY the same. Every single part that goes into making a car has manufacturing tolerances built in and the stack up of all these tolerances result in varying dimensions throughout the vehicle - from one vehicle to another.
Though you are entitled to your opinion...I can write from EXPERIENCE...that the aftermarket parts and or reproductions are not correct. I do agree with tolerances...but when it comes to aftermarket parts....such as these headers in question. It is how they were made...and I can bet they were not designed specifically for the tear of Corvette he has...I WOULD BET ON IT....regardless on what the manufacturer states...or he would not be having a problem....because in LATER YEARS the brake metering block/proportioning valve was moved to under the master cylinder on the frame...so there would NOT be an interference....and I can bet you the manufacturer WILL NOT re-tool for a few years of Corvettes that would require this revision. LIKE i wrote ...one size fits all.
Originally Posted by Swiftrider08
A part, any part, that does not fit correctly on your car may very well fit just fine on your buddies car. A set of headers that hit the steering box on your car may fit just fine and clear the box by 1/2" on your buddies car. You can easily get a sense for this just by reading all the varying posts on this forum about parts that don't fit on a particular car while they fit fine on many others. This is why I myself have little faith in the "you get what you pay for" comments. That is just not always the case. Now for sure the better aftermarket parts manufactures do their best to account for the stack up of all the tolerances in the OEM parts their parts have to work with, around or on, but sometimes even their parts have issues.
I can agree...that if an aftermarket part is not made correctly...or a reproduction part is not made correctly...that if swapped between two Corvettes you can get a different result...and that usually lets me know that one of the Corvettes has an issue.....somewhere.
Originally Posted by Swiftrider08
This is all just part of the hobby we all love and if you are in to modifying your car, something you will have to deal with from time to time. When I myself run into this, I just make the necessary modifications and go on. It's just part of it. And in the end, it makes no difference in what brand of car you are dealing with or what year. It's just reality.
It is not a hobby for me...it is what I do every day. And I can AGREE...it is a REALITY that I will run into a problem with how a part fits in one way, shape, form or another.
Originally Posted by Swiftrider08
All the above comments take into account zero damage to your car. If there is damage, tweaked, bent, broken frame and so on, well that is a totally different conversation.
But the odds of a C3 with no cradle collapse is rare. But with the differences in the C3 era...many parts can not be all grouped together.
Header clearance
But the odds of a C3 with no cradle collapse is rare. But with the differences in the C3 era...many parts can not be all grouped together.
