I've got a 302 with some shortyheaders in a 67, and they touch the spring columns b/c they're to wide is their an alternative to these liek the tri y's or something?

 

ya try-y are good and so are most other headers

 

will they fix the problem of the rubbing on the shock spring towers though? thats my biggest problem

 

To answer the question in the title of the thread, they won't last long at all before the headers rub through. Headers can often be "dimpled" a little bit for clearancing, but you have to be carefull as this tends to bend the top flange, causing a nasty and anoying exhaust leak. A leak at the head/header flange has the potential to warp a valve when the cool air enters the opening and cools the valve too quickly.

If you bought those headers for your application, and are using the correct motor mounts, those things should fit, if they don't I would think that you might have a legitimate beef with the seller/manufacturer.

 

yeah they came with my motor, but it was pulled from a hotrod failane.....big engine compartment diffrence.

 

I have heard that you can pack them with sand, head them and bend them, never tried this method myself, I did bend a tube on a set of ill fitting headers one time, (no sand), but I bent the flange by doing so,,, after that I ran them for a little while using a "gasket and a half" on the bent flange, but the truth is I turned them into junk.

I wouldn't do that again!

 

sure the shock towers arnet sagging? might want to get a monte carlo bar ill bet u have to jack the car up for a few days to let the towers relax just to be able to get the bar in there

 

It is a 40 year old car who knows whats sagged or been replaced id try what rmodel said if it still rubs id. dumple the shock towers as long as its not lower then the upper control arm bolts. another thought your motor mounts are new right

 

Hey Partner,
I'm running TRY-Ys in my 64 1/2 vert. Although tight, couple of inches) they is nodanger of hitting the shock towers. I do have a monte carlo bar inserted whichprevent the collapsing issues prevelent in our 40 plus cars and strengthen this aspect. I would suggest you find someone who is using a bar and take some measurments and compare to your own. Or, buy a bar see if it fits. If it doesn't and is close, (hopefully), raise the front end, relaxing the front suspensionand taking the pressure off the towers and tryto install it. If it is still too tight, perhaps,help from a porta power unit to hydraulically spread the towers will help. Beyond this, the years may have taken it's toll. But, hopefully, this isnot the case.
Good Luck!

 

Hi JMD,

have my car in the garage now for the rear ... I hiope they get ot done over the weekend ;-)

The sand method works fantastic to bend tubes. But I think I'd never be able to do that correctly on a header.
I'd say if the engine is a 302 and you get headers that are made for a mustang (check for 67) then I can't see that new ones will rub as well.

So I'd rather go for that option ...

Kalli