Exhaust manifold bumping up against steering box

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Trevor B

Trevor B

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Not sure if this is the right place to post this but...

After we squeezed the 340 manifolds onto the Duster (1973 318), I noticed the driver's side was making contact with the steering box. It didn't seem to be a problem when I drove down to get the new mufflers today but when I picked up the car, I was definitely aware of a bumping sound as the engine idled.

1) Is this a big problem or just an inconvenience. As in, will either the steering box or manifold get damaged from the contact?

2) What might be a solution?
 

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If you had used this 340 manifold you wouldn't have had any problems with hitting your steering box. Not only does this one fit better but it also flows much better. The manifold you have has an outlet hole of 1 7/8"...this one in the pic has a 2 1/4" outlet:


Treblig
 

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You can try to shim the steering box. Even though mine is a manual box, I shimmed the box over with a 1/8" washer to get more clearance from the header. I know you have exhaust manifolds but same problem.
 
Se how worn the motor mounts are , maybe shim them to raise the motor a touch , or get the good manifolds Treblig posted
 
Treblig said:
If you had used this 340 manifold you wouldn't have had any problems with hitting your steering box. Not only does this one fit better but it also flows much better. The manifold you have has an outlet hole of 1 7/8"...this one in the pic has a 2 1/4" outlet:


Treblig
Click to expand...

but this one is a bit of a pain for the spark plugs and wires
 
Thanks for the responses.
I don't think changing the manifolds is in the cards for now.
How does one go about shimming a motor mount?
Or would adjusting the steering box be easier?
 
I'm using '92 Dakota manifolds in my "65 Barracuda and I shaved .250" off of manifold face AND I put a piece of steel plate (3/8") that I drilled hole out/slotted for mount bolt I so could easily slide shim out if I wanted to, without pulling mount out. Clears box fine.
 
Actually, I don't have gaskets on my manifolds, just mated them up to the heads. NO leaks. this would move the manifold a little in the right direction.....
 
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