greystallion66

I am currently installing my tri-y headers on my 66 mustang with a 289. Got the driver's side bolted in just fine. I am having shock tower clearance issues on the passenger side. Any suggestions? Is unbolting the right side motor mount and raising or lowering the engine the best way and easiest way to get the clearance I need? Thanks for the help guys.

chris66dad

I had the same issue on the passenger side.
I removed the header and gently reshaped the #1 cylinder tube with a BFH. Needed to be flattened 3/8 of an inch. I tried to move the engine as much as I could and then test fitted after each "adjustment". Make sure you pound in the right location and direction.

BEFORE picture:

Good luck and Be Safe
Ron

greystallion66

what is a bfh? a Big F*ing hamer? That was my first thought of what to do. appreciate the help.

chris66dad

You got that correct.
Every tool box needs a BFH in it!
Just go slow and just try to reshape it to fit around the metal. I ended up with 3/8 to 1/2 inch clearance after massaging it. Also remember the engine will torque to this side but it does not hit on ours.
I got mine from Laurel Mountain.

greystallion66

cool, thats what I thought. Being in construction I have plenty of big hammers laying around. Thanks for the tip. Oh and I got mine from mustangs plus.

tx65coupe

The 65-66 cars do seem to often have header clearance issues.

I would say that a 1 peice export brace and a monte carlo bar would be good additions overall, but will also prevent the shock towers from leaning in and causing header interference later on.

I agree about the hammer method. Just don't get too crazy with it. You can also do what I have done before is get a solid piece of metal that is close to the shape that you want to make and hit that instead of directly hitting the header tube.

lilrobo

you might have trouble with the pitman are hitting the tube also we did with my sons 65 coupe ,, we even had to raise the motor a little,, you could the same

Oxnard Montalvo

Header clearance problems in general have always been a bugaboo. For a boatload of reasons too. I guess it's just part of having so much fun.