Header Clearance Issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Russell · 03-24-2005, 07:08 PM

What issues do you exactly run into with headers? Is it header vs driveshaft? I put my 2wd headers on for breaking the engine in tonight (they are old and rusty anyways, no coatings to worry about wrecking, hehe) and as far as I can tell, the only thing they might hit would be the front driveshaft...

**JIMs70GMC** · 03-24-2005, 08:49 PM

Usually it's the clutch linkage(z-bar). The auto tranny guys have no problems.

bodazpa · 03-24-2005, 11:49 PM

When I tried to put headers on my 71 they hit the frame rails big time. I tred for about 2 days to get them to fit then put the manifolds back on........John

Russell · 03-25-2005, 02:09 AM

I've got the headers installed, no problem! Infact, they went onto the 4x4 easier than the 2wd!

I'm just wondering if there is some other area I may have clearance issues with later on. I know I am going to have to modify my exhaust for the t-case later on, but I want to build an x-pipe anyways, so I can account for that problem then.

Mudder · 03-25-2005, 07:36 AM

I have seen them very close to the rear spring bolt on the passenger side and mine has a very tight starter. Its tuff getting the wires loose from the starter and u can't remove or put the header on that side on, without removing the starter. Gonna mess with that later today.

Russell · 03-25-2005, 03:28 PM

I installed them with the engine in place, with all the accessories on

No clearance issues at all as far as I can tell

Slid right in there no problem. For wiring it up, I just slid my arm between the frame and front leaf, no worries with that at all

Sure, this is all on a rolling chassis, but if they fit like this, they should be fine with the body on later

Bobalouie · 03-28-2005, 11:43 AM

I have R&R'd my headers, and I had no problems at all. My truck has no lift on it, and I was able to remove and install them from beneath the truck. Mine sits pretty close to the front driveshaft, but does not hit.

OneBad4x4 · 03-28-2005, 06:47 PM

i just installed mine, i have a 4 inch lift, and once my front D shaft is installed, it will hit when i flex im sure....

thats why im selling these and going to buy BBC fenderwell headers and have no clearance issues at all

Mudder · 03-28-2005, 08:24 PM

Just put mine back on today. Passenger side header is hitting the shackle bolt. Gonna cut the bolt off. Cant get a socket on numbers 6 and 8 and can barly get a wrench on 8.

OneBad4x4 · 03-28-2005, 08:27 PM

oh, its a tight fit, but its worth it

OneBad4x4 · 03-28-2005, 08:27 PM

btw, i have a few sets of BBC 4x4 headers if any one is interested

Road Virus · 04-05-2005, 04:44 PM

I installed some full length headers on my 87 3/4 ton 4x4 and i can see that the the front drive shaft has hammered on of the header tubes already. In particular it is the balancing weight on the drive shaft that has been hitting the headers.

I also had to remove the the rubber bump stop and its bracket as it was in the way of the header. I'll reinstall it once I have modified it to allow header clearance.

The only other problem I had was the rubber boot on the front drive shaft was right by the header and now it is destroyed.

Hopefully when I install a 4" lift it will clear up the problem for the most part.

03-24-2005, 07:08 PM	#1
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Header Clearance Issues What issues do you exactly run into with headers? Is it header vs driveshaft? I put my 2wd headers on for breaking the engine in tonight (they are old and rusty anyways, no coatings to worry about wrecking, hehe) and as far as I can tell, the only thing they might hit would be the front driveshaft... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-24-2005, 08:49 PM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Usually it's the clutch linkage(z-bar). The auto tranny guys have no problems. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

03-24-2005, 11:49 PM	#3
bodazpa Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: 283 Small Block ln. apt k10 Chevyland N.J. Posts: 261	When I tried to put headers on my 71 they hit the frame rails big time. I tred for about 2 days to get them to fit then put the manifolds back on........John __________________ 71 chevy 4x4 ,np205 transfer case, 3 speed tranny, sjs 283, 4in suspension lift, and 71 hugger orange paint,33x12.5 parnelli jones on 15x10 m/t classicII, cowl hood,new bed painted, linex liner. Truck has been completed since 2005.... 2003 Chevy Avalanche Z71, on 6in super lift w/ 35in tires RNG4x4 aka the "Redneck Roller" words to live by "If it fits, it fits" "friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies..." Sponsored by "Kick Ass Kustom"

03-25-2005, 02:09 AM	#4
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	I've got the headers installed, no problem! Infact, they went onto the 4x4 easier than the 2wd! I'm just wondering if there is some other area I may have clearance issues with later on. I know I am going to have to modify my exhaust for the t-case later on, but I want to build an x-pipe anyways, so I can account for that problem then. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-25-2005, 03:28 PM	#6
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	I installed them with the engine in place, with all the accessories on No clearance issues at all as far as I can tell Slid right in there no problem. For wiring it up, I just slid my arm between the frame and front leaf, no worries with that at all Sure, this is all on a rolling chassis, but if they fit like this, they should be fine with the body on later __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-25-2005, 07:36 AM	#5
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I have seen them very close to the rear spring bolt on the passenger side and mine has a very tight starter. Its tuff getting the wires loose from the starter and u can't remove or put the header on that side on, without removing the starter. Gonna mess with that later today.

03-28-2005, 11:43 AM	#7
Bobalouie Fetzer Valve Technician Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Stillwater, OK Posts: 205	I have R&R'd my headers, and I had no problems at all. My truck has no lift on it, and I was able to remove and install them from beneath the truck. Mine sits pretty close to the front driveshaft, but does not hit. __________________ 1972 Chevy K10 SWB

03-28-2005, 06:47 PM	#8
OneBad4x4 Lifted70BowTie Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 204	i just installed mine, i have a 4 inch lift, and once my front D shaft is installed, it will hit when i flex im sure.... thats why im selling these and going to buy BBC fenderwell headers and have no clearance issues at all __________________ I live in Bakersfield, CA 93308, I use USPS for shipping. (Even tho I've never shipped anything and am currently banned for failure to send out parts.) Please reply to my for sale threads by PMing me. Its hard to keep track of all the threads.

03-28-2005, 08:24 PM	#9
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Just put mine back on today. Passenger side header is hitting the shackle bolt. Gonna cut the bolt off. Cant get a socket on numbers 6 and 8 and can barly get a wrench on 8.

03-28-2005, 08:27 PM	#10
OneBad4x4 Lifted70BowTie Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 204	oh, its a tight fit, but its worth it __________________ I live in Bakersfield, CA 93308, I use USPS for shipping. (Even tho I've never shipped anything and am currently banned for failure to send out parts.) Please reply to my for sale threads by PMing me. Its hard to keep track of all the threads.

04-05-2005, 04:44 PM	#12
Road Virus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 19	I installed some full length headers on my 87 3/4 ton 4x4 and i can see that the the front drive shaft has hammered on of the header tubes already. In particular it is the balancing weight on the drive shaft that has been hitting the headers. I also had to remove the the rubber bump stop and its bracket as it was in the way of the header. I'll reinstall it once I have modified it to allow header clearance. The only other problem I had was the rubber boot on the front drive shaft was right by the header and now it is destroyed. Hopefully when I install a 4" lift it will clear up the problem for the most part. __________________ 1987 GMC 3/4ton 4x4 (new daily driver) 1997 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd (soon to be for sale) 1984 Hurst Olds with T-tops (project) 1981 Olds Cutlass (future project) My Homepage

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