Installing Headers

[jjacquot]

Please help me! I am a relatively new member and I need to know how bad this is. I was fitting my headers to the head and when I got them into place I noticed that one of the exhaust flanges rubs the engine mount bracket. It looks like the headers go all the way on and are situated in the right place, but it touches that bracket. Is this going to cause a problem with vibrations while driving or hitting bumps?

[naviathan]

It could. Where did you get the header from? I'd be worried that the bracket would rub through the runner. Is it possible to grind the piece that's rubbing down a bit so it doesn't rub. The engine shouldn't shift that much in the bay so you won't more than 1/4" clearance.

[jjacquot]

I bought the headers off of ebay about 9 months ago. It is the 3 into 2 design. If i grind some clearance off of the engine mounting bracket, will that weaken that bracket?

[jmortensen]

How about just putting a dent in the header? I'd sooner do that then start hacking on the motor mounts.

[jjacquot]

Denting the header makes some sence, but will that cause too much back-pressure in that cylinder?

[naviathan]

That would be my concern is making an uneven runner. Grinding a little off the top corner of a motor mount, so long as it's not a heavy weight supporting area won't hurt.

[hls30.com]

You might try flattening the tube slightly. Heat the area red hot and give it several sharp raps with a large face hammer-if you place a small area dent the tube you will ad more restriction than if you flatten the tube over more area-the dent will change crossectional area, flatening will not(the circumference of the tube is elongated on one axis and compressed on the other)-as an example, take a cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels or toilet paper, slightly squish it(such that it will not retain the distortion). Now take the same tube and force a dent into it-see the difference!

Will

[jjacquot]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will see what I can do this evening when I get off of work. Thanks again and I will post tomorrow to let you know how it went.

[jjacquot]

Thanks again for the information and suggestions. Last night I dug into the problem. Not having a torch or any other kind of high heat I decided to start grinding on the motor mount. With a Dremel, I took about 3/16" off of the top rear side of the motor mount. This gives me just under 1/4" between the motormount and header. They were just touching before, but I was worried that over time the mount would wear a hole in the header. I haven't put the carbs on yet to start it and test, but I assume that I will have enough room for any travel that may occur in that area.