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Hot Rods SBF Headers

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Wizzy, Jan 7, 2019.

  1. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

    My first real post here.

    I have a 29 Ford coupe project with a 289 sbf. The headers rub the driver side tire just a hair when the wheel is fully turned to the left. I tried to dent them until they cleared and then wrapped the headers to cover the "modification". It worked but eventually shredded the header wrap...

    headers.jpg
    I've looked at other options like lake headers or fender well headers (I like the look of either) but they are tough to find for SBFs and or expensive. I've even considered having this current set cut and reworked.

    Any helpful suggestions? Id like to avoid dropping $500+ on a new set.
     
  2. Have you looked at a smaller diameter tire to clear it? Don't turn the steering wheel all the way or adjust or install steering limiters. How about more pictures of the car to see if it would be aesthetically pleasing for a smaller tire?
     
    deathrowdave and Pist-n-Broke like this.
  3. RmK57
    Joined: Dec 31, 2008
    Posts: 2,659

    RmK57
    Member

    Kinda hard to tell with all the wrap where the tubes merge but it looks like just the front tube could be cut and re-welded.
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  4. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

    I'd like to keep the tires, steering limiters are something that I never considered!

    Sent from my SM-G920V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

  5. Casey Riley
    Joined: Jun 27, 2018
    Posts: 543

    Casey Riley
    Member
    from Minnesota

    You could probably have front pipe swept back more for pretty cheap.
     
    BigChief likes this.
  6. Well you do have a steering Stop now it's just that it's the pipe. Here is the Factory built one.
    20170315_185405_001.jpg The tall capped nut is designed to make contact in the machined divot spot. Most Hot Rod guys seem to think they don't need that Factory stuff till they do. There are times like maybe in your case when it's necessary to limit the turn more than stock. That is best done by just turning out a longer Tall Nut. No muss no fuss.
    The Wizzard
     
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  7. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

    Thanks! Ill check this out after work!!
     
  8. If you end up making your own take note of the chamfered end on the tall nut. That is done to match the surface in the Divot and make a flat contact in given spot. You will want to do the same thing.
    The Wizzard
     
    Dino 64 likes this.
  9. Does your car have them or have they been removed or never even installed? If it is an aftermarket axle they may have been omitted. You may have a hole there that the original builder didn't know what it was for. Then again if it is all original it may just need adjusted out more to limit the wheel.
     
  10. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,594

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    Isn't the stop the nut that hole the cross wedge bolt in that holds the king pin in?
     
  11. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

    I just looked it over and there are limiters installed but I'm rubbing far before they would ever help (even if adjusted out or with longer purpose made nuts)... I'm thinking new headers or modifying mine are my only solution? 20190107_171421.jpeg 20190107_171437.jpeg

    Sent from my SM-G920V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  12. harpo1313
    Joined: Jan 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,584

    harpo1313
    Member
    from wareham,ma

    Modify the front pipe to mimic the third pipe and it will be done.
     
    loudbang likes this.
  13. woodhawg
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,021

    woodhawg
    Member
    1. S.F.C.C.

    To me the header pipes come too far away from the engine in the first couple of exhaust ports. Here is photo of mine. IMG_0245.jpg
     
    loudbang, deathrowdave, XXL__ and 2 others like this.
  14. Your steering components are 1-800 send them to me. Nothing wrong with that, your just not done with the Build. Question; Are you happy with your turning radius if it didn't hit the exhaust? If so build a stop and get back to driving it. I sure wouldn't start cutting exhaust if it turned Okay when a little bracket would do.
    The Wizzard
     
    Dino 64 and warhorseracing like this.
  15. Or select a smaller diameter front tire. I know you already said that you like the current setup but what is more aesthetically pleasing, smaller diameter tire or bashed altered shiny headers? Short of what Pist-n-Broke already said about a bracket.
     
  16. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

    I would like a tighter turning radius. I think I would lose more than I'm comfortable with trying to limit before hitting pipes. Smaller tires than now would look worse (in my mind) than wrapped headers. So my thoughts are (1)to move the front pipe, (2)build a weld up set of lakesters, or (3)findings a cheap enough set of fender well headers. Anyone have a lead on new or used affordable pipes that will fit? $450-500 is the cheapest I've found..

    Sent from my SM-G920V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  17. RmK57
    Joined: Dec 31, 2008
    Posts: 2,659

    RmK57
    Member

    You could cut and re-work the 2 tubes for about $15.00, providing you have a welder of coarse. That would be my first choice.
     
    loudbang and 19Eddy30 like this.
  18. TA DAD
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 1,107

    TA DAD
    Member
    from NC

    .I have these five chrome inch and 5/8 pipes for a small block Chevy. I could cut one up if that would help. HEADERS 001.JPG
     
    loudbang likes this.
  19. IMG_2151.JPG

    You could try some block huggers, but then face the challenge I'm having: flanges interfering with the engine mounts. I can add an inch or two to the bottom of the collector and just squeeze these in. It seems all pre-made headers have interference issues somewhere. IMG_2152.JPG
     
  20. What's your skill level for working with Tubes and Bends? What kind of welder do you have access to. How much does Visual appearance (speaking of the repair) mean to you? You are aware that your style of Exhaust is generally found on Fad T's, right? It's there extended wheel base that makes them work better. woodhawg's exhaust is a much better system as you can see. If a new system costs you about $500.oo and you maybe get $200.oo for your used system your only in a better new system $300.oo. Would that work for ya?
    The Wizzard
     
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  21. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 2,314

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    Thats a minor fab repair , J pipe , then rewrap .
     
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  22. dave lewis
    Joined: Dec 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,378

    dave lewis
    Member
    from Nampa ID

    3 things come to mind after studying the photos..
    1... 2 simple pie cuts and weld the header tube up ( I would do left and right for symmetry)
    2... maybe you can run the 4 bar rod ends out longer ? Just move the axle slightly forward.
    3...
    Looking close at the wheel offset , looks like a 1" shallower wheel would clear the header ( move it in to cover the rotor and caliper )
    Maybe even just 1/2 "...

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Wizzy likes this.
  23. dave lewis
    Joined: Dec 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,378

    dave lewis
    Member
    from Nampa ID

    I see you are in Missouri...
    I'm in boise I'd area.
    If you were closer I'd have you come over.. Saturday afternoon job to do the header tube..


    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    ffr1222k likes this.
  24. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

    I'm "okay" with a the mig welder that I have. I would probably seek out a little help. The headers were on the car already and would not have been my first choice to begin with. I agree they look like what are on most T buckets. I've searched hard for a used set of anything other than these that would fit and come up short. I should add, I do like that some lake style headers have refucers at the bottom for full exhaust.

    Sent from my SM-G920V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  25. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 3,519

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    I agree , header revamp is the answer . For some reason they really seem to be very long . Do what ever it takes to keep that Ford Power , don’t get weak and swing a Chebbie in its place !
     
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  26. woodhawg
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,021

    woodhawg
    Member
    1. S.F.C.C.

    Wizzy likes this.
  27. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

    Yeah, I wish. I have sbc motor mounts with sbf adapter plates along with steering in the way..
     

    Attached Files:

  28. Wizzy
    Joined: Sep 19, 2018
    Posts: 63

    Wizzy
    Member

  29. KevKo
    Joined: Jun 25, 2009
    Posts: 926

    KevKo
    Member
    from Motown

    With suspension travel, it will have to be a big bend to clear the tire. And that will look even uglier than what you have now. Sorry. Bite the bullet and put headers like Woodhawg's on it. They look great.
     
    Wizzy likes this.
  30. It's blanket statements like this that gets Guys in over there head. Once the pipe is cut past the Lower hose clamp how is Wizzy going to weld the 25 percent section that is along side the 2 Pipes around it? I have built as well as modified many a set of headers and just randomly cutting out a section and sticking in a different shape piece without leaks and Goobers is not a minor job, At least not for me. I'm all about using what we have and making things work. My wallet isn't any deeper than the next guy but I like to be sure the direction I'm headed is going to work and I hate Band-Aids right next to Electric Fans.
    Sadly those headers look to be Chrome then add in they have been run. You are in for a Welding Challange if you decide to do this. If I were going to take the jump and just do it I know how I've done this job before and be glad to pass on the info. Know this; my way is just that and I know it's been done many other ways before. For me it's a Customers Job and they have to be happy with Looks, that it works, that it don't Leak and I have to make a Buck.
    Wizzy, I doubt you can change over to the Chevy motor you already own for the cost of altering those headers plus you will still need to address some kind of New exhaust system for it.
    The Wizzard
     

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