When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just started putting these Hooker Competition Headers on my 78’ with a 400sbc. This grease fitting appears to hit the header when I turn the wheel. Is this a normal idler arm or aftermarket? Can I just replace it, with one without a grease fitting?
I have seen this before on the forum.
I believe some idler arms did not have a zerk.
Some had a zerk on the top instead of the side.
Some idler arms had a non-original angle and / or extra large H.D. size.
Your options are:
Change the arm. Meh
or
Remove the zerk and plug the hole with a low-profile machine screw or the like.
or
Ballpeen the header.
I vote the latter.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; May 20, 2024 at 02:33 PM.
In 78 there was no grease fitting so that is aftermarket. I recently bought one from Rock Auto with the grease fitting because of the squeak I was getting.
Mine was hitting the header as well, so I just put the grease in as normal, waited for the excess to ooze out and then removed the grease fitting. Then put a smear of grease on to fill the hole and that's how I left it. Just need to re-install the fitting when the next service is required.
It appears that one of the cables going to the starter, is almost touching one of the primary header tubes. I'd take a good look at that, if I were you....
Thanks for the advice! I’ll probably remove it/plug it.
Yeah, the starter cables I was moving around and messing with earlier when I had the exhaust manifolds out because I had a bad connection so it was all hanging around. It’ll get wrapped back up and tucked away when I’m done, good looking out though!
I concur. I'd grease it one last time and then plug it. If I was really concerned I'd drill & tap a hole on a convenient side....but really? How often would you be greasing it anyway?
Originally Posted by 4-vettes
Remove zirk, tiny pipe plug in the hole. Done. Next time you want to grease it. Remove plug. Install zirk.
If you are concerned about greasing it, replace the zerk with one of those spring loaded ball-type grease fittings that you push a needle adapter into to pump the grease. They fit basically flush.
Idler Arm grease fitting hits Headers
