Hedman Elite's and "Z" Bar Woes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69sixpackbee · 03-05-2007, 02:02 AM

Well, as fate would have it, installing headers in a big block truck with a 4-speed is a PITA! I am installing Hedman Elite #69820 headers.

After grinding the lips off of the engine mount towers and notching the trans crossover I was able to get the passenger side header in place. Not too hard. Now, the driver's side, well that is more of a challenge. ASide from having to grind the lip from the engine mount tower it went into place no problem but the #7 tube interferes with the "Z" bar....as if thats a big surprize

It looks like I can put the engine-side ball pivot mount up in the mill and drill & tap a new threaded hole for the ball pivot about 3/4" back from the existing hole. It looks like I can deepen the notch in the frame ball-pivot tab and be able to have the bellcrank clear the #7 tube. but this poses anothr problem. The linkage tab for the rod back to the clutch release rod will shroud the oil pressure line up to the gauge and it will be too close to put the tube back into the fitting.

Is there another place to access the oil pressure so I can re-route the oil line for the pressure gauge?

I know that Hedman recommended using the post-'75 clutch linkage. Never seen one...,can't find one, and I am certain that it would probably be more of a pain in the rump to try to adapt it to my '72 so I am going to modify what I have. The most viable alternative to this point is trying to relocate the holes as I have suggested. Cutting and welding a heat treated piece of steel ("Z" bar) provides much more of a challenge and is just not as easy if any of you have ever attempted to do so. I can be done but the temper is lost and becomes soft once again and needs to be re-hardened and drawn back to the original temper..much more involved.

It sure would be nice if things would just go together easier. After all, these truck have been around a long, long while and it sould be ironed out by now...guess my truck is no exception.

ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx,
Bud

03-05-2007, 02:02 AM	#1
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Hedman Elite's and "Z" Bar Woes Well, as fate would have it, installing headers in a big block truck with a 4-speed is a PITA! I am installing Hedman Elite #69820 headers. After grinding the lips off of the engine mount towers and notching the trans crossover I was able to get the passenger side header in place. Not too hard. Now, the driver's side, well that is more of a challenge. ASide from having to grind the lip from the engine mount tower it went into place no problem but the #7 tube interferes with the "Z" bar....as if thats a big surprize It looks like I can put the engine-side ball pivot mount up in the mill and drill & tap a new threaded hole for the ball pivot about 3/4" back from the existing hole. It looks like I can deepen the notch in the frame ball-pivot tab and be able to have the bellcrank clear the #7 tube. but this poses anothr problem. The linkage tab for the rod back to the clutch release rod will shroud the oil pressure line up to the gauge and it will be too close to put the tube back into the fitting. Is there another place to access the oil pressure so I can re-route the oil line for the pressure gauge? I know that Hedman recommended using the post-'75 clutch linkage. Never seen one...,can't find one, and I am certain that it would probably be more of a pain in the rump to try to adapt it to my '72 so I am going to modify what I have. The most viable alternative to this point is trying to relocate the holes as I have suggested. Cutting and welding a heat treated piece of steel ("Z" bar) provides much more of a challenge and is just not as easy if any of you have ever attempted to do so. I can be done but the temper is lost and becomes soft once again and needs to be re-hardened and drawn back to the original temper..much more involved. It sure would be nice if things would just go together easier. After all, these truck have been around a long, long while and it sould be ironed out by now...guess my truck is no exception. ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanx, Bud Last edited by 69sixpackbee; 03-05-2007 at 02:15 AM.



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