SB chevy rear dump exhaust manifold/dipstick question

[lotus]

I have a pair of rear dump exhaust manifolds for my small block chevy (350 from a 71 nova) that is in my 52 chevy car...the problem is the driver side one will not work because of the dipstick. I have to use rear dump because center dump ones will hit the steering on the driver side.

Has anybody else had this problem and if so...what did you do?

rear dump headers? is that an option? If so, who makes them...

I just got off the phone with the shop...I have not been out there to see what the problem looks like...I will go out and see it on saturday but I would like to have an answer by then for the guy if he does not have one by himself (which he probably will)...

Thanks!
Lotus

[Boones]

I know that some truck mags show shorty rear dump headers for the 88 - 9? sbc chevy full size trucks.. I am using Sanderson headers on my wagon. you may want to call around to some of the header companies and descrip what you are looking for "shorty rear dump headers"

[lotus]

thanks for the reply boones...are you using the stock steering box? I have to dodge the stock steering box and have something that will work with the dipstick on the drivers side...

do they make a rear dump stock exhaust manifold to fit the 71 small block chevy?

[38Chevy454]

Lotus, any small block chevy exhaust manifold will fit your engine. The bolt pattern is the same. So just go look for a manifold that has the correct dump location and fits with your dipstick.

Another option could be to use a different dipstick, like one of the more street rod type that use a flexible cable instead of a metal rod. I think Lokar makes one for example.

[crclebrner]

The older ram style and the late 60s thru mid 70s down style manifolds all work with a left hand dipstick block. you can use the 78 and newer log style exhaust manifold with a left hand dipstick block but you have to use a tubing bender on the dipstick tube and put an S bend in it. It may not hurt to have a couple dipstick tubes to experiment with but, it can be done. The dipstick tube should be bent to come around the backside of the exhaust dump or you might find some headers that will work since all the manifolds are just corks anyway.

[Ayers Garage]

I've done what crclebrner is referring to, except I wound up using soft copper tubing for a tube. It's very difficult to get the stock tube bent that much without kinking. After ruining two, I gave up and cut a piece of the copper tubing to the right length and bent it to the s- shape. I also narrowed the dipstick on a grinder to make it more flexible.

ON EDIT: 38chev454, almost. Some of the rear dump manifolds that guys use are off of 80's vintage trucks. They used what's called 7th hole bolt pattern. The later smog era heads had a set of double holes on the rear most end of the manifold (and gasket). One of them is spaced farther out than normal. If using these type of manifolds on an early non-smog head, the end bolt hole won't line up. If this is all confusing, I can go out to the shop and get a picture that would probably describe it much clearer.

H Hotrodder

[choprods]

what you need is to use the manifold you have that clears steering parts- then drive a solid plug [round barstock same size as dipstick tube into hole in block to seal it] then-weld one in the top of pan about an inch below the pan rail. if this doesn't sound like what you want you can switch to the right side dipstick pan which has this tube welded in the pan on that side.I have done it on a pan on the motor- you get a sharp round punch and punch a hole in pan up hi[drain oil]as near the place as the factory does- and insert a tube -spot weld it with the mig slowly till completely welded around the tube. then wire brush it clean and spread a thin layer of gasket grade silicone around the tube in case of pin holes....the tube will have a bracket that bolts to an exhaust manifold hole as some factory ones do....... it will need to enter the pan in line with a main bearing so it will clear the rotating crankshaft.

[1oldtimer]

hey lotus......
if your dipstick is on the drivers side rear you can use the logs (off a 70's camaro), just plug the smog rail holes. the logs go under the spark plugs and ram horns go over the plugs. 60's and early 70's gm trucks have a ram horn style manifolds but instead of center dumping straight down the kick to the back a little. you might look into late (90's) camaro/firebird manifolds i think they go over the plugs and straight out the back (kinda like the logs of you flipped them over) not to sure about the bolt pattern.

[29EHV8]

Lotus,I've done this on Badpats car among others.
Get a left side manifold from a 78-87 chevy monte,regal,malibu etc.They dump out just behind the stock 49-54 chev steerin box.Take the original 71 350 dip stick and pie cut it about 3/16" right above the ridge on the dipstick tube.Now take it and set it in the hole in the block but not all the way pointing straight up.Hold the monte manifold on the motor up against the dipstick tube.Mark the manifold where its hitting the dipstick tube.Put the manifold in your vise and grind a groove in it bout 3/16" deep,this is where the dipstick will be.Set it back on the motor,should be really tight against the dipstick tube.Take it off and pull the dipstick tube out and tackweld the dipstick tube where the pie is.Put it back in and put your gaskets on the manifold and see how it fits.Sometimes you gotta double gasket it.Take the dipstick tube if its tight and weld it up.Put it back together.Now take your tip stick and put about 1/2" of the bottom in your vise and bend it about 45 degrees on the end.This is so it'll slip in passed the tight bend where you cut the V and welded it.
There you go.On a couple of cars I've had to grind a lil V in the valvecover too for more clearence.I could getcha some pics tomorrow if you want.
When you get the exhaust done what I do is point the first couple of inches towards the oilpan.It all works and looks tidy.....Shiny

[Sharky666]

Hey Lotus im doing the samething as we speck.Im ussing a 265 55 Chevy car manifolds in the driver side you got front dump and passenger is rear dump works great.Sanderson Headers has them but there like $300+ so I didnt go that route....Hope this helps....

[Tudor]

Lotus - I have a nova clip and I got some nice rear dump headers that miss the steering box from Southern Rods - they are the only people I could find them from. It is amazing - when you call hooker or the other guys on the phone - they act like you are from outer space when you explain this problem. I don't see them on their website bu they advertise them as the nova sub frame header in the magazines. Mine were nice. The number is 800-STRTRD

good luck

[lotus]

so many great replies!!! thanks!!!

I will be taking pics on saturday and will go an update post later in the day with pics!