Header hitting Steering Column

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03JeepJeep

03JeepJeep

It's a hoot!
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Hey folks

Kinda in a pinch, installing my new engine in my 74 duster and I'm put Doug's 453 headers on. I had to pull the engine out twice to get the headers into the bay. Now I'm getting everything buttoned up and noticed that the drivers side header number 7 tube is hitting the steering column coupler. Anyone ever run into this or have a solution? I really don't want to have to undo everything and pull the engine out again.

Thanks

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IIRC - power steering and some headers don't play so nice in these cars...
 
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Have you tried using a ratchet strap near The Collector to pull it over and re mount the exhaust? Or pull that tube?
 
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Shim the pump over with washers under the pump on top of k frame. Then shim steering column over. You should be able to get 1/4". It will be enough.
 
Loosen both motor mounts from the block and the K frame, jack the engine up a little then pry the engine over to the passenger side and re tighten everything. There's usually about a 1/4" or more of wiggle room with spool mounts. If it still hits dont be afraid to put a little dent in the pipe, it's not going to hurt performance.
 
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You can change the steering coupler to a universal coupler. I did on mine works perfectly.
 
Oh my FRIKKIN GAWDD this has been cover a THOUSAND TIMES. Loosen the bolts that hold the column boot to the firewall and move the whole thing over to the driver's side as far as it will go. The holes are plenty big to allow repositioning. This has been posted again and again. No need for getting the hammer out and beating on good headers. What a dumbass suggestion.
 
Moving the column over isn't going to help anything, the coupler is whats hitting the header and the coupler is going to come straight off the input shaft of the steering box no matter where the column is.
 
Dougs' didn't do their homework right on these D453 headers. Not sure who's car they used when they mocked up their headers, but they left some on the table.
The no.7 tube should have angled 'in' a bit more and back out a little below the coupler.

I just installad a pair of coated headers on my '73 Dart, which also hit the steeringcoupler.

Solutions;
- reposition engine. But beware of pass.side header hitting torsion bar. It needs to be exactly in a certain place (up/down wise)
- Shim the steeringbox at the 2 right most bolts with 1/4" washers. This will angle away the coupler a bit. (Re-center steering linkage afterwards).
- Pull the header inward a bit when mounting the rest of the exhaust. I did this when I welded the X-pipe together. Made sure it was 1/2" narrower than where the header collectors ended-up.

I had to perform these 3 tricks to make it clear the coupler.
My Dart has a Borgeson P/S box.

I've also thought about shortening the coupler itself from the top, if the sliders are deep enough, but didn't need to do so in the end.


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daliant said:
Moving the column over isn't going to help anything, the coupler is whats hitting the header and the coupler is going to come straight off the input shaft of the steering box no matter where the column is.
Click to expand...

Ok.
 
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