Hooker Header/side pipe install problem:

[74bigblock]

Hey all! I'm working on my pipes and headers. Keep in mind this is a Big Block 74.

Drivers side header is mounted... and one of the down tubes is just touching my fender before it goes into the collector.

Passenger side is just touching the frame rail as they go across.

I need to devise a way to get 1/8 to 1/4 in clearance between each. My two ideas are as follows:

1)Drop Trans mount down a bit wich will pivot engine down causing headers to drop that little bit I need. Don't see any concerns here, and will prob improve driveline angles ta boot.

2) Sloid (Sloid...yes I am a putz. I meant SOLID!) Engine mounts relocating just a tad. Concern here is clearing oil pan.

What do you think??
Thanks,
Dave

 

[69MyWay]

Welcome to my world!

On the big block,..........these hooker pipes do not fit well.

You have to heat, bend, grind, dent, and fight them to get them in place.

TZracer had to stand and jump on his pipes to get them to clear on the 1971.

Good luck!!!!!!

 

[74bigblock]

Fantastic. It's not worth taking up with hooker then. They will tell me it's correct and my motor mounts are not original.

 

[76L82]

I'm sure you know this, but using different sizes of diameter pipe to help knock "impressions" (read fancy dents!) into your headers give it a little more uniform look and at the same time don't run the risk of restricting flow through the pipes...

 

[74bigblock]

I'm sure you know this, but using different sizes of diameter pipe to help knock "impressions" (read fancy dents!) into your headers give it a little more uniform look and at the same time don't run the risk of restricting flow through the pipes...

I'm new to fabrication, so I'm not ready to start bending my 1000$ chrome headers just yet!!

What is "fancy Dents"?? and where can I read about this?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[69MyWay]

I am sorry to tell you, but you are going to do some damage to the pretty chrome in this process.

First of all, on a big block, the driver header will hit the steering gear box. You will also have problems with the starter clearance. This does not even begin to cover the problems with just basic final fit.

You will also find you need to open up, or elongate the actual header bolt holes, as you may not be able to bolt the header up to the head on both sides. If you sit it in there, and can't start all the bolts, pull the header back out and drill the mount holes over a size or two bigger. This will give you the slop you need to align them and thread them all in without binding.

Oh, brother, you have not even gotten to the part where you have to slide the leg pipes over!!!!!!! This will require some grinding, cussing, fussing, and plenty of antiseize lube.

As far as "fancy bending", he just means taking a pipe of some sort with a rag or towel between it and the header (note at the steering gear box), and pounding that into the header pipe to give a nice smooth looking dent to clear.

I suggest to people to purchase the black painted style headers. First fit them to the car. AFter you have dented, drilled, flattened, etc, then send them out to be ceramic coated in silver. It lasts longer than chrome, and you are able to get around these problems and still have a sharp looking header.

Like I said...Good Luck!!

It will be worth it. Trust me! The grin won't leave your face for a month after you blast around the block the very first time!

For more sound and excitment, get with Scott at the www.c3sharktank.com for some JCL spiral baffles. They are awesome!

 

[matchframe]

Chris,

If I fit the same type of header/sidepipe to my Big Block and frame without the body on the frame, are there any issues with the body I need to keep in mind?

Thanks!
Bill

 

[69MyWay]

nope, the body is not your problem. Although, getting the side pipes to mount to the frame rail and clear the rocker molding does require some mods to the rocker molding (on the big block pipes).

 

[74bigblock]

Hmmm. If I had known it was going to be this much of a PITA, I would never have given them a 2nd thought. SOAB.

From what it sounds like... everyone with a 454 has this problem on install?
if so:
Hooker has a design flaw. Sniff sniff.. class action suite anyone?

 

[69MyWay]

No design flaw...just the joy of adding mods to your car!!!!!!!

I have installed a dozen or more headers on different cars in the last 10 years. Of that, only one set went on the first time with ZERO mods. Can you imagine my surprise????

The big blocks have much larger primary tubes on these hooker side mounts. These larger tubes tend to cause a few problems.

In a perfect world, on a perfect car, I am sure they would fit the first time.

The problem is, there are differences in motor mounts, blocks (if your heads are shaved, or block is decked...there is a difference right there), and often the frames are bent, warped, or tweaked from either rust in the structure of the car, accidents, or years of torque against the frame rails with a high output engine.

I promise, it will be worth it in the end.

Just keep on keeping on, and you will be smiling like a kid with a new toy soon!

 

[74bigblock]

We will try 2 people standing on them.. see if that bends em. Nice to know they are strong. If that doesn't work... jusst gonna let it burn into the body and have it patched later... when I get her painted.

BTW 69... if that is yor ride in your avatar... your's looks insane.

 

[69MyWay]

Yep, and you can learn more about it here:

www.mcpseed.homestead.com



Have fun!

 

[74bigblock]

Yep, and you can learn more about it here:

www.mcpseed.homestead.com



Have fun!

Want to do mine next??? :s

We can call her Bitc*

 

[rponfick]

You may want to take a quick look at what your ground clearance might be. I helped a friend install Hooker Super Comps on his C2 this past weekend and the fit below the tranny crossmember and hit bottom about 10 times before he got home. He used the 2 1/4 inch header pipes and that was the problem. I understand the 1 7/8 inch are not a problem.

 

[69MyWay]

Want to do mine next??? :s

We can call her Bitc*

:L Nope, I am not ready to start another one.

You might have seen my link for the 71 convertible. That car kicked my butt. I also had a hand in the forming of the body on Bruiser seen at www.tropiczoneracing.com Now that is a monster vette for you. That is TZracer with the header he had to jump on to get clearance.

 

[resto75]

74 bigblock

Just follow 69myway advice. He can mount a running 502 in a tuna can.

 

[74bigblock]

So we worked on these bastards and still no luck. We got them bent away on the drivers side, but the side pipe now mounts crooked. It can be mounted correctly, but then the header hits the body again. Arrrg. So we are sending them back to Hooker to check tolerance in spec. This is going to cost me 2K just to get these headers installed. This is total BS and here I am taking it up the rear.

 

[69MyWay]

OUCH!

Are your motor mounts good? Are they aftermarket, original OEM, etc.????

Are you sure it is matching numbers block, and not by some chance a tall deck truck block?

Has the car been in a significant accident?

Outside of defective headers, any one of these above items can cause your problem.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Chris

 

[74bigblock]

Positive its #'s match, and there is no evidence of an accident, even minor. You can't fake those fender seams, and there are no welds on the frame that look suspicious. We are not sure if they are the original mounts, but they are definatley OEM style. We will see what Hooker has to say.

 

[69MyWay]

Does the driver side header hit the steering gear box?

Keep us posted.

We just wrapped up a Hooker pipe install on a 81 small block this weekend, and fired it off for the first time.

I had a lot of luck by welding the mount studs to the frame rails after hand fitting the leg pipes to see exactly the best place to run them.

He ran the standard Hooker baffles. The car sounded great. The paint cooked off in a few minutes. After he gets all the bugs worked out of the new engine, he is going to yank them and have them ceramic coated in a color of his choice.

Hooker is a good company to work with. I am sure they will find a way to help you out.