Drop Style Pitman Arm?

[ChevySucksLOL]

1969 Charger 383. Installed some Hooker Comp style long tube headers that I was assured were a direct fit from Summit...low and behold, they aren't. The starter is about an 1/8" from the wrapped header, so I'm sure its going to get toasted very quick (its the high torque style starter). I've heard there are some mini starters which I'm going to look into. Biggest problem though with the wheel turned all the way right, everything is good. But once you start turning left about a turn (just right of center), the pitman arm impacts the header. My first thought was to add a small dent, but upon further inspection, I would have to collapse the tube almost 85% to get clearance, which is pointless. Any ideas if there is a type of pitman arm that drops lower about 1-2"?

Summit had me speak directly with Holley which told me some models need modification to fit, but summit has them listed as direct fit, no mods and have admitted they need to correct there description, but also don't want to accept a return/refund since the headers are installed. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lefty71]

collapse the tube almost 85% to get clearance,

Thats plain crazy. Somethings not right..... any pix of the setup going together??? I think you got a bad header maybe? You might be able to use a drop pitman from a different application, but that could be a whole nother can of worms opened up.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Is it a fast ratio arm by chance? They are longer.

 

[ChevySucksLOL]

I get off kinda late tonight but I'll see if i can snag a photo. I'm not really sure how to tell if its fast ratio or not. Yea Id be open to using one off another application if its plug and play, but I don't want to have to change 5 more things down the line either.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

No WAY, would I modify my steering to install some aftermarket headers. If they are advertised to fit, they either work, or go back....JMHO

 

[ChevySucksLOL]

Yea I get that. I spent the better half of a Sunday removing the old ones and installing the new ones. I'm okay with say changing a pitman arm, but not trying to replace the entire linkage.

The old headers it had on it are an old style with no markings so I couldn't do a direct replacement cuz I didn't know what they were. But they had so many dings for fitment and were warped something terrible, so I could never get it to seal against the head and always had an exhaust leak. Hence getting into this mess trying to go with this style.

 

[davek]

sounds like your about to open a can of worms. I hope the headers didnt cost you an arm and a leg. I would send them back there has to be a set that will fit.

 

[ckessel]

Dude. You messed up. They fit perfectly in the trunk or the back of your truck. Anywhere else and you may have to make adjustments.

 

[ChevySucksLOL]

Haven’t been able to find any “quick fix” so I am currently arguing with summit on an exchange. They don’t want to accept one because they are installed, even though they don’t fit as they say. Their tech guy recommended the Patriot H8207-B style. These look fairly close to the old headers my car had on it already (no markings on old ones to confirm/deny what they are). Any experience with this brand and/or header model?

 

[OzCharger69]

I have a 69 Charger / 383 and Hooker headers and they fit will. The pitman just clears the headers with no rubbing. Something is not right.

 

[Ron H]

Take a close look at the cross link; is it level? I had some odd issue with my TTI's where the pitman grease fitting contacted the T-bar and played the violin on the left header shearing off the fitting...grrr. So was considering bending the pitman; but a mechanic bud said get another pitman and try that 1st. Hmm...the new pitman provided the necessary clearance and no uneven cant on the cross link it had. I had a FFII box installed and wondered if it might need shimming...well dang the new arm solved the problem. Why? Don't ask...lol.

 

[ChevySucksLOL]

Next time I’m underneath I’ll take another look to see if anything looks bent or not as it should be but I’m fairly confident it’s as it should be. Been this way for years and no steering issues. Should’ve done this over the winter so the car isn’t down in prime weather....

what kind of hooker headers are you running Oz? The Holley guy said they had other hooker styles that fit but were quite pricey.