Exhaust installer is and idiot.

[Doug Larsson]

I have worked with old timers that are hacks, man. "I've always done it this way" is NO excuse for doing **** work. Some guys fumble their way through life not by their great skills but by sheer luck and opportunity. Being old and experienced does not mean that the man is smart and competent.
Hedman Hedders are not the cream of the crop. They are not the worst but the cheaper price usually means that dents and dings are needed to fit. Doug's and TTI headers are more expensive but they fit. You are not likely to have problems like these with those brands.
A mini starter is smaller in diameter AND shorter but that is only part of the problem. If the solenoid is clocked wrong, you may have LESS clearance when using the wrong one. Some position the solenoid toward the top, close to the engine block. Some place them toward the drivers wheel a bit more. Ordering one online can be tricky. I had similar problems years ago with starter/header interference. I called Mancini Racing and asked them to pull a starter from stock and describe the position of the solenoid. When it arrived, even it did not fit. The safest way might be to physically see the starter in front of you.
The 400 engine is a LOW deck big block. The exhaust ports sit about 3/4" lower (Closer to the starter) than a 413, 426 and 440. This may have a negative effect on header clearance

Thank you for your input It's greatly appreciated as far as the headers go they were a recommendation from a manager at the main exhaust store I always held this place hi regard because of the name on the store but the more I read on here it's like the old saying you get what you paid for .

 

[cosgig]

You know of course that the solenoid terminals can be removed and that there is another set underneath that provides more clearance??

 

[Doug Larsson]

You know of course that the solenoid terminals can be removed and that there is another set underneath that provides more clearance??

Correct but on this starter there is only one terminal on the other side that doesn't help me.

 

[cdr]

this is what i used 283.00 same people that make Dougs,, Patriot headers 1 7/8 3 in collector
https://shop.patriotexhaust.com/pat...-header-mopar-b-body-383-67-74-raw-steel.html

 

[moparedtn]

this is what i used 283.00 same people that make Dougs,, Patriot headers 1 7/8 3 in collector
https://shop.patriotexhaust.com/pat...-header-mopar-b-body-383-67-74-raw-steel.html

How is starter clearance with those? Have any pics of them installed?

 

[cdr]

they clear the Dakota starter great, these are for a 383, 400 lowdeck

 

[cdr]

I moved one tube to clear the rack & pinion ,it is not related to starter clearance

 

[Doug Larsson]

I moved one tube to clear the rack & pinion ,it is not related to starter clearance

Now that's a tight fit I have a little more than that wow.

 

[1967coronet]

I've given those a fair bit of thought myself. What brand are yours? Pics?

Ed, I will have to email you some pics, I cant seem to add pictures since the sight redo awhile back, my avatar traveled along but for whatever reason I cant down load new ones.
My triYs were a used set of Schumacher ones I found on C list.

 

[1967coronet]

Ed, I will have to email you some pics, I cant seem to add pictures since the sight redo awhile back, my avatar traveled along but for whatever reason I cant down load new ones.
My triYs were a used set of Schumacher ones I found on C list.

 

[moparedtn]

View attachment 344373

Must be the angle of that pic, but it looks like double runners run right down next to the starter?

 

[Jeremiah]

The issue they had with your headers are typical with Hedman headers. The stock starter fits fine but the mini starter will have issues. I agree that the kid should have informed a manager of the clearance problem prior to modifying the primary tube. You really have to wonder about the company that sells a 383-440 header that doesn't work with a mini starter.

 

[Robliepse]

I'm thinking about using the 1972 stock exhaust manifolds that came with my 440 GTX Roadrunner. I have a set of Headman Headers but I'm using stock heads and I've always had problems with headers

 

[moparedtn]

The issue they had with your headers are typical with Hedman headers. The stock starter fits fine but the mini starter will have issues. I agree that the kid should have informed a manager of the clearance problem prior to modifying the primary tube. You really have to wonder about the company that sells a 383-440 header that doesn't work with a mini starter.

Afraid I'll have to disagree with this, at least on my 440 and Hedmans.
I had to beat on one runner to get any clearance whatsoever on my Dakota starter, which is actually just a tad smaller diameter than a stock starter but considerably shorter in length.
In other words, no way in hell a stock starter works there without considerably more tube bashing.
Hedmans have always been this way as far as I can remember, at least back into the early '80's. You'd think a company would figure out something after decades...

 

[MOPOWER871]

TTI headers are made for mopar's. Chyslers are all they do. granted they are more money but think about the money you'll save on aspirin, bandages and gaskets .I've been down the same road as have many of use with header installs this is my second car with TTI headers money well spent. There headers are spicific to the block, headed type .they even tell you the part numbers for the starter that will fit correctly . Your headers are in.enjoy your sweet ride and Get a jar, $10.00 a week and by the time the current headers are shot you'll have the dough for new TTI's, Good Luck

 

[440SportSatellite]

Afraid I'll have to disagree with this, at least on my 440 and Hedmans.
I had to beat on one runner to get any clearance whatsoever on my Dakota starter, which is actually just a tad smaller diameter than a stock starter but considerably shorter in length.
In other words, no way in hell a stock starter works there without considerably more tube bashing.
Hedmans have always been this way as far as I can remember, at least back into the early '80's. You'd think a company would figure out something after decades...

When I bought my Sport Satellite it had a 440, with Hedmann headers and a stock OEM starter. It was super tight in there, but when I pulled those headers off to install my new TTI's it didn't look like they'd been bashed anywhere around the starter at all... Maybe all hedmann headers aren't all created equally, lol.

 

[dasol7172]

No doubt you have checked everything out. But when I put some hedmans on my 440 and a few months went by I noticed a dent in the tube by the steering box. Well turns out the engine mount was almost sheared through so under acceleration the engine would move and push the header tube against the steering box. It wasn't until I felt the engine move after a hard takeoff enough to feel and hear the bang that I realized the engine mount had failed.

 

[66chargerpat]

Hedmann states that you can not use a mini starter with their headers. I have them on a 383 for 15 years with the same factory style starter. Over 150k miles in stop and go, hard and hot weather driving. Still on the car to this day. Yes, you have to loosen the header to replace the starter. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I drive the crap out of my car with the ac on in the summer and I have not smoked a starter yet. I also didn't have to bend or smash anything. They fit like a glove, but that is on a 66 B body. Pat

 

[moparedtn]

When I bought my Sport Satellite it had a 440, with Hedmann headers and a stock OEM starter. It was super tight in there, but when I pulled those headers off to install my new TTI's it didn't look like they'd been bashed anywhere around the starter at all... Maybe all hedmann headers aren't all created equally, lol.

Now THAT is entirely possible. Quality control, indeed.
I'd bet they're using a pattern that's decades old.

 

[BeatersRus]

66 dodge charger with hedman headers,383 automatic,i just installed a dakota starter yesterday in it.
the hardest part of this install is to get that starter And the header both in and sitting on the side of the engine as you drop the engine in.
fits great,plenty of clearance and yes,if you popoff the plastic cover on the starter,youll find the power hookups right there instead of using the original dakota wiring.
i literally hooked his Former factory starter wires right up.