Steering box clearance

[ADchevys]

How much clearance should there be beteen the steering box a exhaust manifold? I'm trying to decide if I want to move the box more. Does this look to close.
[IMG][/IMG]
There is a 1/4 inchgap in between the to. My steering box has been moved 3/4 inch. Motor is to the right 2 inches.

[mr48chev]

I think we moved the box an inch and a half when we did mine. My engine was more centered though. I don't remember how much clearance I had but I never had trouble with the box after putting the V8 in.

[ADchevys]

Did you have to do any thing with the inner fender?

[dsraven]

it looks pretty close by my standards, but then....
how about if you run an insulated heat shield to help protect the box.
if the strg wheel gets hot, you know you are too close, haha
the box is lubed with gear oil and that usually breaks down in lube qualities around 250 deg F. below is a fairly good explanation. once cooked it doesn't come back again when it cools off, it just stays cooked.
the more room there the better

http://www.wildwestcycle.com/f_oiltempdegradation.html

[55dude]

years ago we used to offset the engine or if we purchased one like this we wrapped the box very neatly with heavy duty foil and painted it black. get a infra red thermometer gun and check box temp after engine is up to operating temp. the only time as long as you have air moving between it should be fine.

[ADchevys]

I'm going to move it more. For you guys the moved it a inch and half how many bolts do you put back in. It looks like the top two will be right on the edge of the frame.

[MARTINSR]

I remember when I was going over this on my truck back in '79. I moved the box out, I moved the motor off center, I wasn't digging it. So I decided to move the motor back instead of over.

No kidding, that is the true story how I ended up with this.



And finished.



Not suggesting you do this, but just tossing out the story.

Brian

[dsraven]

how about some header heat wrap on the manifold, anybody tried that before?
aheat shield is a must i would say.

[xaircav]

I've had no problems this close.

[nvrdone]

the steering box on my '49 is moved out 2 1/2" from stock. that gives me 1" of clearance between the manifold & the box. the engine is centered in the frame. in 40 plus years its been this way, I haven't had any heat related problems

[ADchevys]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

the steering box on my '49 is moved out 2 1/2" from stock. that gives me 1" of clearance between the manifold & the box. the engine is centered in the frame. in 40 plus years its been this way, I haven't had any heat related problems

Did you have to do much to the inner fender.