HELP! Can I grind this down? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JamieGallien · 02-20-2018, 10:19 AM

I'm having header clearance issues. I need to know if I'm going to get into anything important if I grind what looks like excess casting block down? See the red circles. I do know the bottom part I have to leave enough meat for the tranny bolt to hold. Thanks for any responses.

**The Rocknrod** · 02-20-2018, 10:25 AM

If it were me, I would. I mean it's not me but...Sure, what the heck.

JamieGallien · 02-20-2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

If it were me, I would. I mean it's not me but...Sure, what the heck.

I'm planning to unless somebody says don't. They look like attachment points for the casting/moving machinery to me...

raidmagic · 02-20-2018, 12:44 PM

I cut that lower one off on mine.

**rideblue00** · 02-24-2018, 10:28 AM

Closer up pics needed please

68gmsee · 02-24-2018, 04:33 PM

Question: What engine is it? LSx?

I've worked GM engines and overhauled a few but never really noticed or maybe never paid attention to the extension on the top.

CousinTone · 02-24-2018, 09:39 PM

Go ahead and grind them down, leaving enough around the mounting point for the bellhousing. They're not anywhere near the water jacket or oil passages back there. IMO, appears to be casting locator blocks for automated processes. Grind slowly and I did the same on a build and was fine. But I didn't take them all the way down, just enough to clear what was needed.

homemade87 · 02-25-2018, 08:56 AM

I will have to look at mine , but looks like that lower boss is for the starter bolt . What year engine is it . The upper one should not be a problem to trim .

4x4k30 · 02-26-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homemade87

I will have to look at mine , but looks like that lower boss is for the starter bolt . What year engine is it . The upper one should not be a problem to trim .

I looked at my 6.0 that's sitting in the floor DO NOT GRIND THE SPOT WHERE THE STARTER BOLT GOES..the top spot you have marked it can be grinded some but I would for sure don't mess where the starter bolt goes. now my engine is different its a gen 3 but it should be the same the pic shown looks to a be gen4

JamieGallien · 02-26-2018, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4k30

I looked at my 6.0 that's sitting in the floor DO NOT GRIND THE SPOT WHERE THE STARTER BOLT GOES..the top spot you have marked it can be grinded some but I would for sure don't mess where the starter bolt goes. now my engine is different its a gen 3 but it should be the same the pic shown looks to a be gen4

Yeah the lower part has one of the starter bolts. Any grindin there will be minimal, just to take the corners off. I may have to dimple the header at that spot for clearance.

Thanks for the replies fellas!

**Captainfab** · 02-27-2018, 12:24 AM

I have to ask, what brand of headers are you using that has an interference in those areas? I would have thought by now that all of the LSx headers would fit properly.

JamieGallien · 02-27-2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I have to ask, what brand of headers are you using that has an interference in those areas? I would have thought by now that all of the LSx headers would fit properly.

They are Chinese ebay headers. The reviews had comments about having to clearance the block or trans. I thought I got lucky when I test fit them, but with the body on couldn't see the interference.

You get what you pay for, as always, lol.

"Do they fit?"

"Crose enough."

LOL

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...5&postcount=55

68gmsee · 02-27-2018, 12:04 PM

"You get what you pay for, as always, lol. "

Sometimes you gotta do what you have to do to get the truck running. I've been there.

I don't know if you saw my question about the year of the engine. I've never noticed the top extension before. Might help someone in the future.

JamieGallien · 02-27-2018, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

"You get what you pay for, as always, lol. "

Sometimes you gotta do what you have to do to get the truck running. I've been there.

I don't know if you saw my question about the year of the engine. I've never noticed the top extension before. Might help someone in the future.

I'm sorry 68gmsee, I did miss your question. The pic is just representative. I have a standard 2004 5.3 block. I have seen pics of some LS blocks that don't have the extensions though.

**mattfranklin** · 02-27-2018, 06:21 PM

"Engine Masters" did a nice episode on headers and how much denting they can handle before you notice *any* power loss. Obviously you don't want to hammer it until it looks like garbage, but the exhaust system is fairly tolerant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPKIjxmmdU

87Skier · 02-27-2018, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieGallien

Yeah the lower part has one of the starter bolts. Any grindin there will be minimal, just to take the corners off. I may have to dimple the header at that spot for clearance.

Thanks for the replies fellas!

I would beat the crap out of the headers before taking the grinder to that area to remove a significant amount of material. I would round the corners, but nothing more.

If you crack or damage the starter area, there isn't a good way to fix it, and without a starter your engine is basically a big boat anchor.

**HO455** · 03-05-2018, 10:35 PM

I agree with the previous posts. By all means dimple the headers. No loss of performance or header life. David Vizard talked about this years ago in one of his books as not being a problem.

JamieGallien · 03-06-2018, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the ideas and help guys. I completely cut off the top block even with the surrounding area with no problem. That was the biggest problem I was having. (pic 1 and 2, right and leftside respectively)

Down at the starter bolt, I just cut off the sharp edge and rounded it off. Should be no compromise to strength as I didn't grind any thinner that the thinnest part that was already there. (Pic 3)

I'm still going to have to grind the collector rings to clear, but not much. Should be GOOD TO GO!

02-20-2018, 10:19 AM	#1
JamieGallien Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Athens, Al Posts: 241	HELP! Can I grind this down? I'm having header clearance issues. I need to know if I'm going to get into anything important if I grind what looks like excess casting block down? See the red circles. I do know the bottom part I have to leave enough meat for the tranny bolt to hold. Thanks for any responses. Attached Images __________________ 1965 Chevy C10 SWB Step (Family Restoration Project) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6043410 1972 Chevy C10 LWB Fleet (factory auto/l6) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=580342

02-20-2018, 10:25 AM	#2
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? If it were me, I would. I mean it's not me but...Sure, what the heck. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

02-20-2018, 12:44 PM	#4
raidmagic Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 426	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? I cut that lower one off on mine.

02-24-2018, 10:28 AM	#5
rideblue00 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lambertville, MI Posts: 1,865	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? Closer up pics needed please

02-24-2018, 04:33 PM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? Question: What engine is it? LSx? I've worked GM engines and overhauled a few but never really noticed or maybe never paid attention to the extension on the top. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

02-24-2018, 09:39 PM	#7
CousinTone Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Placentia, CA Posts: 344	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? Go ahead and grind them down, leaving enough around the mounting point for the bellhousing. They're not anywhere near the water jacket or oil passages back there. IMO, appears to be casting locator blocks for automated processes. Grind slowly and I did the same on a build and was fine. But I didn't take them all the way down, just enough to clear what was needed.

02-25-2018, 08:56 AM	#8
homemade87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Guntersville Alabama Posts: 1,073	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? I will have to look at mine , but looks like that lower boss is for the starter bolt . What year engine is it . The upper one should not be a problem to trim .

02-27-2018, 12:24 AM	#11
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? I have to ask, what brand of headers are you using that has an interference in those areas? I would have thought by now that all of the LSx headers would fit properly. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

02-27-2018, 12:04 PM	#13
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? "You get what you pay for, as always, lol. " Sometimes you gotta do what you have to do to get the truck running. I've been there. I don't know if you saw my question about the year of the engine. I've never noticed the top extension before. Might help someone in the future. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

02-27-2018, 06:21 PM	#15
mattfranklin Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moraga, CA Posts: 812	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? "Engine Masters" did a nice episode on headers and how much denting they can handle before you notice any power loss. Obviously you don't want to hammer it until it looks like garbage, but the exhaust system is fairly tolerant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPKIjxmmdU __________________ (Very) Slow-Going Build Thread: Stock 1970 Short Step with Stock 1970 LT-1 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=567340

03-05-2018, 10:35 PM	#17
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,362	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? I agree with the previous posts. By all means dimple the headers. No loss of performance or header life. David Vizard talked about this years ago in one of his books as not being a problem. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

03-06-2018, 05:37 PM	#18
JamieGallien Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Athens, Al Posts: 241	Re: HELP! Can I grind this down? Thanks for the ideas and help guys. I completely cut off the top block even with the surrounding area with no problem. That was the biggest problem I was having. (pic 1 and 2, right and leftside respectively) Down at the starter bolt, I just cut off the sharp edge and rounded it off. Should be no compromise to strength as I didn't grind any thinner that the thinnest part that was already there. (Pic 3) I'm still going to have to grind the collector rings to clear, but not much. Should be GOOD TO GO! Attached Images __________________ 1965 Chevy C10 SWB Step (Family Restoration Project) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6043410 1972 Chevy C10 LWB Fleet (factory auto/l6) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=580342



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