supercompetion hooker headers on sm block...

[sleepar]

I spent yesterday putting on the headers... and have blocks of 7/8" wood wedged up against them in a couple of places... one on the collector flange between it and the torsion bar on the passenger side and one between the steering linkage and the top of the headers on the drivers side... I am going to have to cut the bottom of the threads off the inner tie rod and the Pittman arm and some of the nut and bend them down to clear everything... I have read several threads and knew about fitment issues... I'm open to any new suggestions.... what my next move is is to use a large pipe to bend them a little farther than I need and hope they don't spring back... it's just when I hang the rest of the exaust it will have tons of pressure holding them down and away and I don't think the hangars can handle it.. I need the whole weight of the car on my floor jack to move them.... I will leave the wood in place and have the heat of the motor can help soften them as it runs then remove the chared wood later..... I thought of blowing heat from a torch inside the headders but because I just wrapped them it might ruin the wrap... there are two bolts on each side I can't get it their holes on the inside of the outermost tubes also.... I like a challenge and have some pictures I will post.... I will have to modify my column shift linkage also.... it's testing my patience but in the end will be what I want. Doug's or tti would have been easy but more money.... my labors free so I'm not concerned.... a body big block I could under stand but on a small block b body?

 

[sleepar]

Anyways... I'm going to use a scissor jack with wood to protect the finish and crank them into place... I just love a challenge..... I have never put a car together from the mail... I miss the cash and carry u pic junk yards of yesterday... the good thing is I will be able to build a car anywhere in the world.... once I get through this one.... it basically is an example of my work. And what one person can do by themselves on limited funds and overcoming physical and mental disabilities... once the headers are set I can do the linkages for the trans and on and on..... I sent out my rotating assembly for ballance so far that's the only thing I can't do.

 

[Cranky]

Never had to do that kind of stuff when installing headers....and I doubt the heat of the exhaust is going to help much if any. Header wrap? I've seen some people not have very good luck with that stuff especially on daily drivers. Moisture gets in there and next thing you know, you have a hole in the tube.

 

[rumblefish360]

I have used Hooker's Super Comps on my small blocks a few times. They have never had a Fitment problem. E or B body. If I had this issue, I myself would contact Hooker directly.

 

[ga66mopar]

A challenge can be interesting. The key is to know when it's not worth the trouble.

 

[WP29440SE]

ive had small block long tube hooker headers on a 69, 74 and 77 b body and the very same headers on 2 A bodies , and never missed a beat putting them on. absolutely zero fitment issues. they never touched anything but the engines, and took less than 3 hours to put them on. it sounds like you have headers that are for whatever reason tweeked out of shape

 

[sleepar]

I don't know either.... I have quick ratio Pittman and idler arms.... that may be the difference.... I have had headders in the past also no problems... maybe there for an a body... the steering doesn't clear the headers where it goes through the headers above the tubes.... the car is not a daily driver it's a project to get me back into cars again... just to do it. I will make them fit one way or another... I have had them for a year and I will cut them up and modify them for the time I waste on the phone and waiting for a new pair.. super competition hookers.... like the name implies... you'll be standing on the street waving people down for a ride...