dmaclaren

has anyone had issues with the Z-bar clearance and long tube headers?

Mine had 302 headers fitted (beaten in place for drivers side fit) and turned down collectors as the 351 deck was higher than 302.

They had to shorten the z-bar and I don't know if this was due to the wrong headers or headers in general. I assume it's due to the 302 headers.

Ideas?

As I am not taking this to the track and it's not a aggressive motor build I may just go back to manifolds to quiet the front and I don't think I will notice the performance hit of them.

1slow67

I ran into problems with mid-length headers on my 67. I had to hammer in a little of one of the pipes and cut out a piece of the z-bar to make it fit.

rtintwo

Going back to manifolds is a good option for a cruising/street car. Noticing a performance loss will be completly dependant on how your engine was built. Close to stock you wont notice much but if you have a performance build then you will notice it. Also long term you will have less headaches with manifolds.

I dont know what tranny you have but another option might be to go hydaulic or to a cable. You can route these as needed for clearance and it would save the investment you have made in your 351 headers.

BuckeyeDemon

i had problems. i relocated/modified the z-bar, so i had to make both z-bar brackets and remake the upper and lower rods. i also had to cut two tubes off the headers and remake them.

headers + hammer didn't make any sense to me.

2+2GT

I switched from headers to 289HP manifolds years ago, and maybe I lost a few hp at high rpm, but it was not noticeable. The noise and other header problems went away. Later, I port-matched the heads to the manifolds, and the improvement there was felt right away. I'm guessing that the port-matched manifold setup flows better than the unported with headers setup.

dmaclaren

was this your 69? I have to look at my Clutch rod, I am not sure it looks like your setup there. I also don't think I have a boot on mine but the connection to the zbar is a lot diff then mine I believe.

BuckeyeDemon

my 69. your setup shouldn't look like mine because i redid almost everything. the top side of the z-bar is the only part mostly unmodified. the upper and lower rods are heim jointed as well.