Problem
 

I have a problem with the headers I installed. On the passengers side the flange were the collectors bolt to the exhust is in the same position as my balance wieght on my front drive shaft. I grinded as much as I could off the flange and it is much better but after driving it for two days in diffrent 4x4 positions it still sometimes hits the weight. So my options are as follows.

1. Grind the weight off of the front drive shaft and see what happens.

2. The exhuast shop said they could cut the flange off the headers and weld it right to the exhuast? Is that possible is it expensive? That would get me a good 1/4 inch of clearence. Most likly enuf.

3. I could just leave it and hope it does not tear anything up.

What is the best of these? Love the headers can not go back to manifolds and do not really want to try different headers as I will loose the money I have in this set of headers. I only drive in 4x4 in the snow no off road or anything maybe 2 weeks total a year.

Thanks for all coments and suggestions.

Can no one help me?

what kinda headers did you buy?

Dynomax cermaic coated

Yep I bought a set of those from Jegs and had clearence problems on a 79 K5. THe header was actually hitting the weld on Zerk for the Slip shaft on the front drive shaft. Dynomax and Jegs both swear up and down that they fit the 4x4. They don't only long tube header I have seen fit a 4x4 was Hookers. If it hits just sitting there then your going to have BIG problems once that front axle starts moving around. That front axle will move side to side some.

Going to have to go with block huggers or find a set of shorties like the JBA's ($$$$) that have the flang up like the factory manifolds.

Only hit once in 2 days of driving standing still looks like I have about 1/4 clearence.

What if the weight was ground off what would it mess up if the drive shaft were unbalanced?

it only needs about another 1/4 inch of clearence and I think it will be good.
Do you think any of the above options is reasonable? I can not afford to scrap these and really dont want shortie headers.

If your still full time then yes you will have problems without the weight. If your part time....knock yourself out. Just only use 4x4 at low speed.

Just because your not havining problems on the street doesn't mean your not going to have problems off road. Drive the passengerside wheel up on a ramp and see the clearence looks like.

Yes I am only parttime and I dont offroad with it. I only use the 4x4 for snow travel in the winter. If the wieght was gone what will it do? wear out the u joint or the diff.? I only drive with it in 4x4 but not locking the hubs just to slush up the oil in transfer case about twice a month other than that only when it snows like 2 weeks totall on bad winters. I will try the ramp thing also. I just really dont want to replace these headers.

Well It passed the ramp test ok I think taking the weight off might be the easiest thing to ensure it will not hit.

Vibration and a little extra wear on the j-joints in the drive shaft. As little as your using the 4x4 should not be a big issue.

Could you not have the shaft rebalanced and put the weight in a different place so it wouldn't hit?

I guess I could do that. What is a J joint? Is it the same as a u joint only for the front end?

Thanks for both of you guys help.