Power steering and hedman headers

[Deanfitz27]

I have a 69 roadrunner with a 440, manual steering and hedman headers, I am converting to power steering, it looks really tight does anyone know if I will need to use different headers or are all headers the same regardless of manual or power steering. Thanks

 

[Cletus]

I believe you'll have to get a new header for the driver side.
These, for instance:
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/hed-78030/applications/make/plymouth

 

[cwhubb]

Dean, it is really tight, I have them on my 70 charger with a 440, they will fit but they touch the box and they touch the starter. just dimple them and they will work fine, I use a long socket extension with an old spark plug socket to dimple, it makes a round dent and it looks way better than hammer dings. It's pretty much a given you have to dimple headers

 

[ga66mopar]

Here's my experience with my headers and power steering

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?54980-Hedman-Elite-Hedders-67-Coronet-500

 

[Meep-Meep]

I ran a set of really old Hedman hearers on my PS equipped 68 RR. Not sure if my headers are the same as your set but I had no issue.

 

[Budnicks]

Most headers of the cheaper variety headers, like the Hedman, allot of times it depends on tubing sizes too, the smaller 1-3/4" tubes will fit both types of steering & both B & RB engines, where some of the 1-7/8" to 2" wont fit all B or RB big block apps.... Many or most all have a different part # or listing, for the shorter/narrower low-deck B/350-361-383-400 vs the RB/413-426w-440, the different type steering= power vs manual, even the type of trans shifter/column vs floor shift, some even the trans style 4 speed vs Auto or even bell housing/clutch sizes too... good luck

 

[Deanfitz27]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm doing a rotisserie restoration and want things to fit decent. I may be leaning towards get new headers, tti as they seem to fit the best or just going with regular manifolds. The engine was rebuilt when I got the car, alum heads, intake, holly 750 carb etc. The factory manifolds would be great for the fit, but I think the car may need to breath a little more than they will allow. I'm a little worried that headers may produce too much heat around the starter and would make it a real pain to change the starter.

 

[cwhubb]

I agree, headers will go nicely with the head flow. it will be a pain to change starters, I have the 1 3/4 hedmans and went with the mini starter I used to struggle for an hr or so with the headers and starter dynamic, you had to twist and juggle the header like that stupid nail puzzle you've seen around, but that was before I dimpled now they slip right on no problem, the biggest problem you'll have with headers is lifting the car high enough so the collector end clears the ground when you install. headers are worth it you'll like em, the 1 3/4 ones should work very well for your app

 

[Deanfitz27]

Thanks for the help, I think what I will do is pull the engine and k frame and install the steering box and lay the engine back in the k frame on the garage floor and see what the fit is like, it will be easier this way rather than in the car. It is all coming out of the car anyway before it goes on the rotisserie. Hopefully this way I won't have to put the engine in a freshly painted engine bay and remove it again because things don't fit. Thanks again

 

[djais1801]

glad this was brought up...I have a 400 big block, and the driver side header is dented pretty good for clearance, not sure the make of the headers, but they run down to a 3 inch cut out. The problem is that it sits directly on the drag link which has a grease fitting that can't be accessed.
I am pulling the engine soon to clean up the engine compartment and would like to swap the headers...I am thinking that maybe the headers were for a manual steering car? Sorry to hijack