Alrighty, I've had a set of long tubes (4-1) for a 68 sitting in my shed for ages and decided to try and fit them up. I have factory power steer, 302w and c4

I had heard they have problems with the power steer ram so i just did a trial fit on the drivers side to see. sure enough they clash and looks like by quite a bit.

I think they are pretty cheap headers, don't seem to have a brand on them.

I'm toying with two ideas, I can either cut up the headers a little bit and modify them to go around the steering ram or I can make the ram drop bracket.

How far does the bracket normally drop the ram by?
has anybody tried modifying the headers before?

I'm worried that if i try and mod the headers then i won't be able to get them on and off again.

also I have read on here that people have had issues with the extended ram mount tearing out, can anyone shed some light on this?

any input would be great thanks!

 

When it's a question of who gets the knife, car or cheap headers.

Sorry headers ...you loose.

 

my thoughts also. I'm just worried that if I mod the headers to clear the PS then I won't be able to get them in and out. I figure there must be a reason why almost all the headers for sale seem to need the PS ram to be dropped.

 

You can pick up a bracket pretty cheap.

Power Steering Cylinder Lowering Bracket

Not sure if that will work for your application but it works for Tri-Y, Hooker and others.

 

I think the headers need to be that low so the exhaust can clear the floor..I ran the drop bracket for many years with no issues at all..Make sure the bolts are all good and tight and put some loctite or lock washers on them so they don't work loose..Some guys also tack some weld on to be sure they stay put but like I said I never had any problems with mine...

 

Thanks but shipping to new zealand makes things like that just not worth it. I'll just crack out the welder and make one

 

Sounds like a good plan.

 

just quietly I think I can make (or at least design) one of those brackets alot stronger than the off the shelf ones

 

The brackets are plenty strong..It's the frame rail that rips out because it is rusty or because the bracket comes loose..

 

Mod the headers outside of the car, then install them. It will take alot of test fittings but you will know that they will be able to be removed in the future.