Steering/header issue again, need help

[samdjr74]

Hi All,

So even if I use a 3 joint steering system the headers are going to be in the way. One I think I need to find is a longer header that's also a hugger, does anyone know if this exists?

Thanks,
Sam

[Dan Bowles]

On what?

[samdjr74]

sorry, it's a 350 in a 56. I'm running a TCI custom IFS that uses a rack and pinion. the 350 is in the same location as where an original V8 would have been.

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

On what?

[Tchia65]

Can you post a picture so we can see what you're seeing?

[samdjr74]

HYere's a pic I took the other week. You'll notice the u joint isn't on but the problem is the collector of the header is tight in the middle of the steering shaft path as well as the u joint is almost touching the collector at the same time

[pro1955]

I used the 2/3 length headers, several companys make em. You won't have that problem they flow back not so much center drop.

[dwcsr]

You can use 4 joints. You just need to use 2 heim joints to stabilize the shaft.
Yellow are Ujoints, red is the shaft, and green are heim joints. get a wooden dowl and duct tape and work out the angles

[samdjr74]

Recommened any 1 company in particular?

Originally Posted by pro1955

I used the 2/3 length headers, several companys make em. You won't have that problem they flow back not so much center drop.

[bobinbc]

Would something like this work?

[samdjr74]

It's not the u joint, it's the angle, even adding a forth would not help as the angle coming off of the joint on the rack needs to be 45 degrees just to clear the header

Originally Posted by dwcsr

You can use 4 joints. You just need to use 2 heim joints to stabilize the shaft.
Yellow are Ujoints, red is the shaft, and green are heim joints. get a wooden dowl and duct tape and work out the angles

[samdjr74]

I was thinking of that but not sure if my steering column would get in the way

I noticed that Edelbrock makes something but at $400+ it's a little too much

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Would something like this work?

[pro1955]

bobinbc shows a pic of what I'm talking about Patriot makes em, great quality. I bought mine through a vender at a swapmeet for 275 coated inside and out.

[entourageguy]

s10 v8 conversion headers work fine in my 59. 3/4 length.

[samdjr74]

Hi all,

Thanks for all of the input. Before I order another set of headers I took some more pictures last night. I think the root problem is my current headers don’t get close enough to the block. Is it worth it to try and find a set of huggers that just come in closer? Also if I do go with the mid lenght style headers does anyone se any issues with clearance between the block and the column?

Thanks,
Sam

[nikwho]

Originally Posted by samdjr74

sorry, it's a 350 in a 56. I'm running a TCI custom IFS that uses a rack and pinion. the 350 is in the same location as where an original V8 would have been.

What does TCI reccomend? Surely they have already figured this out. I used a set of Heddman headers 2/3 for a 70-81 camaro, but I grafted a '79 Camaro sub frame on mine and its a bit different.

[samdjr74]

TCI didn't help much, they basically said all builds are going to be different and they can't confirm that fitment problems may or may not happen.

Originally Posted by nikwho

What does TCI reccomend? Surely they have already figured this out. I used a set of Heddman headers 2/3 for a 70-81 camaro, but I grafted a '79 Camaro sub frame on mine and its a bit different.

[mr48chev]

It looks like a set of headers for a 67/71 Chev truck would work also. I have a set of the Joe Cheapies from O'Reilly's on my 71 and they fit quite well.

Looking at the top photo it looks like the steering column sticks down through the firewall a lot further then it could. That puts a lot of unnecessary angle on that universal joint.

[samdjr74]

It does stick out a little too far but for some reason that's the column that was lissted for a 55-59, the angle isn't that bad at all so I think it will work.

I'll look into the 67-71 headers, thanks!!!

Originally Posted by mr48chev

It looks like a set of headers for a 67/71 Chev truck would work also. I have a set of the Joe Cheapies from O'Reilly's on my 71 and they fit quite well.

Looking at the top photo it looks like the steering column sticks down through the firewall a lot further then it could. That puts a lot of unnecessary angle on that universal joint.

[nikwho]

A couple of thoughts.
1- Can you shorten your steering colum? If it was a couple inches shorter it may buy you enough room to open up some options.
2- I bet an old set of ram horns would work well for you

[nikwho]

[QUOTE=samdjr74;4235054]It does stick out a little too far but for some reason that's the column that was lissted for a 55-59, the angle isn't that bad at all so I think it will work.
QUOTE]

Could that column possibly be for a factory 55-59 steering box? Classic parts sells a bearing that slides into your shortened column and supports the steering shaft.

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-59-...ctinfo/76-987/

[samdjr74]

I can probably cut a few inches off of the bottom, there's plenty of meat there.

I was thinking of going the ram horn route, I also found a couple other headers by patroit that might work, they kind of resemble ram horns which might work for me.

My other issue is I have angled plugs so getting a set of headers that fit with everything is becoming a challenge.

Originally Posted by nikwho

A couple of thoughts.
1- Can you shorten your steering colum? If it was a couple inches shorter it may buy you enough room to open up some options.
2- I bet an old set of ram horns would work well for you

[samdjr74]

It's not long enough for that, atleast it wouldn't reach ll the way to the stock steering box on the frame

[quote=nikwho;4235184]

Originally Posted by samdjr74

It does stick out a little too far but for some reason that's the column that was lissted for a 55-59, the angle isn't that bad at all so I think it will work.
QUOTE]

Could that column possibly be for a factory 55-59 steering box? Classic parts sells a bearing that slides into your shortened column and supports the steering shaft.

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-59-...ctinfo/76-987/

[nikwho]

Man, good luck! I hope you get it figured out!

[samdjr74]

I'm sure I will, the question is how much is it going to cost me lol. I'm fairly sure that the edelbrock headers I saw will work perfectly but I'd rather not blow $400 just for this. Ram horns will probably work as well but if I can use a set of clipper style headers that would be perfect.

Originally Posted by nikwho

Man, good luck! I hope you get it figured out!

[floridasteve]

This is what I had to do on my truck. I had the same issues but it looks like your headers are longer than mine. These are on a truck I saw in Daytona to give me a reference and mine is the same. It worked like a charm. I had to make it work but it is fine now. I hope this helps.

Just my two cents but it looks like your steering is a little farther out from the firewall and the headers look longer than most shorty headers.