Hot Rods 1950 chieftan engine swap problems

I'm in the middle of swapping the straight 8 in my 1950 chieftan out for a 350 pontiac. I've hit 1 major snag and I can't seem to come up with a good solution. The driver side manifold wants to live where the 605 steering box is. If you have one of these or have done this swap what did you do? I feel like I'm missing something simple. Thanks

 

20230527_152513 by dogwalkin posted May 27, 2023 at 3:31 PM

20230527_152522 by dogwalkin posted May 27, 2023 at 3:31 PM

 

I can't remember where that dumps, center or toward the end but you may be able to find one that dumps where you want, or find a right side manifold that does. Has it really been 40 plus years since I owned a Pontiac?

 

Hedman makes a set of headers I would order in a second if I thought they would cure my problems they are block huggers. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-28164

 

Whatever your 2nd post was the links do not work.

 

They were links to my gallery showing the manifold and the steering box

 

I hope I made them public let me know if they don't show up

 

I think the manifolds are a mirror pattern between sides, can you use a right manifold on the left side to dump at the front? How about shifting the engine and tranny over about an inch?

 

I may try the front dump I have extra manifolds. Pontiac did that on the later cars.

I would have to notch the xframe if I shifted it. That could be done as well.

 

Can you just grind in some clearance in the steering box and the manifold? Will the exhaust pipe clear if you can get the manifold to clear?

 

The exhaust pipe would clear no problem. I don't think I could grind the box that much but.... I put a passenger side manifold on that side and have plenty of clearance. Muffler shop is just gonna have to do a tight bend.

 

That’s what u-bends or donut’s are for if they can’t bend tight.

 

Do you have room to move the engine over, it doesn’t need to been in the center.

 

I could move it over I would just have to do some work on the x frame or the driveshaft would hit

 

If I opened up the center of the xframe an inch or so I would probably have room. I wouldn't think that would weaken anything.

 

Like many factory installations, it's common in many engine swaps to offset to the passenger side an 1" or so.

 

Sounds like you got it figured out. In any case, I would shoot for as much clearance as possible.
The engine moves and you don't want any chance of making contact with anything. And I sure don't like the idea of boiling the steering gear lube. Or the starter, for that matter.

Good luck. Have fun.
Happy Memorial Day.

 

Scoot the engine over a 1/2 inch. it does not need to be perfectly centered.