Hi I have a 65 289 with 4 speed. I put Hooker super comp headers in and now my mechanical linkage is rubbing against the headers. (where the equalizer bar and the lower rod connect)

Does anyone have any solutions that does not involve pinging the headers or bending the equalizer bar?

Thanks

 

The other solution is finding better headers Good headers that fit properly are expensive, but there's a reason. Lots of cheap aftermarket headers interfere with the z-bar and require some "massaging" with a hammer.

Don't bend the z-bar, though. That needs to be exactly where it is.

 

Convert to hydraulic, and be done forever.

 

any other suggests for solutions? something a little more budget minded

 

That's what the hammer is for Really, there's not much you can do aside from beating up your existing headers or replacing them.

 

There are three ways around this
1- easiest- I'd 'massage' the tube. Heat it up with a torch til red then use a hammer to tap in the tube for clearance.

2- Or if it's going to pinch the tube off too much, then buy some header bends from summit, cut out the section interfering and modify using the new material.

3- Convert to hydraulic clutch. I think McCleod makes the internal hydraulic TO bearing for ford? Not positive. After running hydraulic TO bearings on racecars for years, I'd never go back to a linkage based system. And they are better than the slave cylinder solutions you see out there.

pics would help so we can see how bad the interference is.

 

Yeah, McLeod makes the slip ons that are a slave/bearing internal combo. I'm running mine with a newer Wilwood .700 bore m/c, minimal pedal effort.

 

Picture of upper rod and mentioned issue.

 

For no more than that's rubbing I'd dimple the tube.

 

alright. Thanks for yalls help!