new idler arm hitting exhaust.

[adk-roadrunner]

So here's the story my mechanic wouldn't inspect my car because my idler arm was sloppy so I ordered a new one its a Moog and it showed up today. So I got it all installed and it went pretty good though the new one was a little bigger on the end opposite the frame. Well it tightened the steering right up and worked great but its hitting the exhaust. What do you guys think I should do just dent the pipe maybe ? Gotta figure something out.

 

[kidmopar]

take it to a shop and heat it up cherry red and move it enough to clear the arm

 

[adk-roadrunner]

Not sure how much they are gonna be able to move it right there as its right at the bend where it goes up to the manifold.

 

[coloradodave]

Do you have the old idler arm to compare to the new? Are they different? Wonder why there is a clearance problem now. Probably can find a brand that fits correctly. I wouldn't recommend heating the part as who kbows what it would do to the temper of the cast iron and we are talking about the "STEERING" here. If you have to bend it, it needs to be done in a press and cold. A picture of the interference would help determine if a slight 'dent' would solve the problem or not since both the engine (torque) and the arm move.

 

[adk-roadrunner]

Ya I'm definitely not gonna bend steering I think im gonna dent the exhaust its different because the original idler was not as beefy on the end that hooks to the steering.I think the other guy was talking about heating and bending the exhaust as well.

 

[coloradodave]

I think you're right...........mea culpa to Kidmopar. I'll chalk it up to old eyes. lol

 

[Ron 73]

I wouldn't think it would be much of a dent in the exhaust so its not rubbing, you should be ok with it.

 

[Budnicks]

Ya I'm definitely not gonna bend steering I think im gonna dent the exhaust its different because the original idler was not as beefy on the end that hooks to the steering.I think the other guy was talking about heating and bending the exhaust as well.

I think it's pretty common, the stock original exhaust head pipes, had a small dent in the passenger side for idler-arm clearance in the 2-1/4" head pipe about the middle of the radius, on my stock 68 RR RM23 HT, pretty much the same car & exhuast...

 

[Budnicks]

you could go to a decent exhaust shop & have them fab up a new head pipe with more clearances if need be or just a section of the head pipe...

 

[adk-roadrunner]

Got it dented and clearing was kinda a pain *** lol. I'm not super worried about it because it has a custom exhaust 2.5 inch but for some reason right at the steering it necks down to like a 2 inch that's where I dented. I am going to be dropping a 440 in her eventually so I will be replacing all the pipe from that spot so its full 2.5 inch anyways and will be able to make it clear I think lol. Oh funny side note some guy rode by on a bicycle as I was beating on the pipe and I think he called me an idiot lol I think he thought a was beating on floor pans or something I wanted to be like wait no I just denting the exhaust a little lmao.