Headers rub, need help.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 28
From: Evansville IN
Headers rub, need help.
I've asked how to fix this and was told, "There should be a bolt at the top of the steering shaft, break it loose and slide the shaft over to gain clearance and tighten back down."
I can't find anything to loosen to "slide" over.
Any pictures, or other suggestions?
TIA
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
In the picture, is your header in position and all the header bolts in and tightened down?
Are your headers 1 7/8"?
Why did you buy headers with air tube flange if not going to use the pipeing? It will eventually break & need to be welded, left like that.
Did you have to raise /shift the the motor to get that side in? If so, maybe the motor isn't completely set back into position?
What make/brand headers are they? You may have the wrong header for your car, If that is the second tube from the front of the motor that's hitting the shaft.. The third tube on my LG Pro's are closest to the steering shaft (3/4") clearance. With no more info to go by, I'd say wrong header for car.
Good night & good luck.
Are your headers 1 7/8"?
Why did you buy headers with air tube flange if not going to use the pipeing? It will eventually break & need to be welded, left like that.
Did you have to raise /shift the the motor to get that side in? If so, maybe the motor isn't completely set back into position?
What make/brand headers are they? You may have the wrong header for your car, If that is the second tube from the front of the motor that's hitting the shaft.. The third tube on my LG Pro's are closest to the steering shaft (3/4") clearance. With no more info to go by, I'd say wrong header for car.
Good night & good luck.
Last edited by bumble-z; Nov 14, 2010 at 10:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 28
From: Evansville IN
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,225
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From: The Great Truth: "There ain't no free lunch"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Back in the day, we often "field modified" such situations, although there is probably a better resolution available....(the spot is rather tight to swing a "bigger" hammer..
)......Did you use an unusually thick or doubled gasket?
)......Did you use an unusually thick or doubled gasket?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 28
From: Evansville IN
No, I used the gaskets that were supplied. They're slightly thicker but not much.
I know all about the BFH method. I've been putting headers on cars for 40 years,
These fit so good everywhere else and if there's an easy adjustment I'm missing I'd like to know. If not, I'll raise it up and *clearance* it slightly with a wooden dowel rod, (broom stick handle) and a hammer.
What I don't understand is how to "slide" either end of the shaft as was suggested.
Thanks,
Steve
I know all about the BFH method. I've been putting headers on cars for 40 years,
These fit so good everywhere else and if there's an easy adjustment I'm missing I'd like to know. If not, I'll raise it up and *clearance* it slightly with a wooden dowel rod, (broom stick handle) and a hammer.
What I don't understand is how to "slide" either end of the shaft as was suggested.
Thanks,
Steve
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Have you looked at the motor mounts? If the header brand is a reputable one, I would think your problem may lie elsewhere. Maybe you have a broken mount and the engine is resting towards the drivers side?
As far as the steering shaft goes, sure you can unbolt it, but you're not gonna get any sideways adjustment out of it. Even if you did, as you turned the wheel it would make the problem worse I would think. Unless maybe by sliding it down you're changing the overall angle a bit...I don't know.
But anyway, it should be fairly obvious. I believe there is a bolt right where the shaft meets the rack, and there should be another one almost before the shaft goes through the firewall. You can loosen the bolt and slide the shaft up and down but again I really don't see how it'd change things much. I'd have to look at my car again but that's how most cars are.
Dope
As far as the steering shaft goes, sure you can unbolt it, but you're not gonna get any sideways adjustment out of it. Even if you did, as you turned the wheel it would make the problem worse I would think. Unless maybe by sliding it down you're changing the overall angle a bit...I don't know.
But anyway, it should be fairly obvious. I believe there is a bolt right where the shaft meets the rack, and there should be another one almost before the shaft goes through the firewall. You can loosen the bolt and slide the shaft up and down but again I really don't see how it'd change things much. I'd have to look at my car again but that's how most cars are.
Dope
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Have you looked at the motor mounts? If the header brand is a reputable one, I would think your problem may lie elsewhere. Maybe you have a broken mount and the engine is resting towards the drivers side?
As far as the steering shaft goes, sure you can unbolt it, but you're not gonna get any sideways adjustment out of it. Even if you did, as you turned the wheel it would make the problem worse I would think. Unless maybe by sliding it down you're changing the overall angle a bit...I don't know.
But anyway, it should be fairly obvious. I believe there is a bolt right where the shaft meets the rack, and there should be another one almost before the shaft goes through the firewall. You can loosen the bolt and slide the shaft up and down but again I really don't see how it'd change things much. I'd have to look at my car again but that's how most cars are.
Dope
As far as the steering shaft goes, sure you can unbolt it, but you're not gonna get any sideways adjustment out of it. Even if you did, as you turned the wheel it would make the problem worse I would think. Unless maybe by sliding it down you're changing the overall angle a bit...I don't know.
But anyway, it should be fairly obvious. I believe there is a bolt right where the shaft meets the rack, and there should be another one almost before the shaft goes through the firewall. You can loosen the bolt and slide the shaft up and down but again I really don't see how it'd change things much. I'd have to look at my car again but that's how most cars are.
Dope
Unbolting the steering shaft for extra clearance is for use on installation of headers only. It in no way is a means of gaining "extra" clearance for headers once installed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 28
From: Evansville IN
Have you looked at the motor mounts?
As far as the steering shaft goes, sure you can unbolt it, but you're not gonna get any sideways adjustment out of it.
You can loosen the bolt and slide the shaft up and down but again I really don't see how it'd change things much. I'd have to look at my car again but that's how most cars are.
Dope
As far as the steering shaft goes, sure you can unbolt it, but you're not gonna get any sideways adjustment out of it.
You can loosen the bolt and slide the shaft up and down but again I really don't see how it'd change things much. I'd have to look at my car again but that's how most cars are.
Dope
I may see if the engine can slide a bit but I wan't to make sure I wasn't missunderstanding something about adjusting that shaft over.
I've had it off the rack so I know there's no adjustment on that end.
Thanks for the replies!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
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From: Belleville Mich.
You are the third to ask. No reply. Makes it real hard when trying to help some one out, when they ask for help with a problem.
I believe it's in the motor mounts or either shabby fitted headers. They are 3/4" out of being in correct position.
Last edited by bumble-z; Nov 15, 2010 at 07:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Race Director
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From: South Western Ontario
Oh good. XSPower headers. Hope it's a fluke after I read all the reviews about them fitting so well and bought a set.
The only way to move the column would be to adjust where it goes through the floor and I doubt you can do anything there. I hope you find the motor is out of position or something simple like that.
The headers do look good and the construction is solid. I just hope they fit now.
Peter
The only way to move the column would be to adjust where it goes through the floor and I doubt you can do anything there. I hope you find the motor is out of position or something simple like that.
The headers do look good and the construction is solid. I just hope they fit now.
Peter
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 28
From: Evansville IN
I'm not sure I asked for help with the air tubes, or if they were the wrong headers or the other four questions but I appreciate your attemp to help. I certainally didn't mean to NOT answer them all.
Thanks to you and the others who posted suggestions. I've got the flu and haven't looked at it yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 19
From: Streamwood illinois
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 418
Likes: 28
From: Evansville IN
Thanks for the pictures. (Both you guys) It's almost exactly the same angle so I have something to compare it to. It looks like you have at least 1/4" or so. I have none and can't get any by moving things.
Not sure what I'm going to do but I can feel it vibrating when I drive it. So, I'm going to do something. Dent it, change it, whatever.
Thanks
Steve
Not sure what I'm going to do but I can feel it vibrating when I drive it. So, I'm going to do something. Dent it, change it, whatever.
Thanks
Steve
Last edited by SMaster; Nov 29, 2010 at 05:45 PM.
