Anyone running Lemons BBC headers, particularly in a 64-67 frame, any ideas on where/how to put a dipstick in? I test fit a new set this weekend and can't see a route to put one in. This is with a B&B pan, dip stick fitting on pass. side.

Also, while talking to a guy about my fuel system (I was buying a new pressure regulator) it was strongly recommended to me to upgrade my electrical system to 16 volt batteries with an 18.5v alt. to ensure the fuel pump runs at full speed. He went into a lot of detail about plate charges and stuff that started out making sense but then went over my head. Overall it sounded good but I am concerned about negative effects of running the rest of the car on 16 volts though. Is anyone running a 16 volt system here?

I think a good 12 volt system with relays used as needed and on the fuel system work , its worked for me and I'm still using the external regulator that came on my 72. I wouldnt know about Lemons headers, there is no room between 4-6 to run the dipstick tube?

I disagree on the higher voltage being required.....dont forget, our 12 volt systems are really running at about 14 volts anyhow...as long as everything is in good working order, as Bob said, the pump will be working at full capacity.

Doesn't Lokar or someone make a flexible dipstick tube? Maybe you could use one of those to reroute it to the firewall or somewhere else? And, I agree with the other comments, I see no need for a 16 volt system.

Try this for the dipstick. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=LOK%2DED5003&N=115+4294908216+4294840133&autoview=sku

I ran mine thru btwn #4 & #6. It was a plain Moroso stick coming out of a Moroso pan. A bigger problem w/ the Lemons on my 67 was that they run so close to the brake master cylinder that the master cylinder heats up and the fluid will boil. That issue and the headers tuck really tight to the floor pan so collector mufflers aren't an option. I don't run mufflers but when I have to I'll run spin tech mufflers . I think they'll fit.
Anyway here is a photo showing the dip stick:
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/504/medium/DRS_side.jpg

It is true that a 16 volt system will work better with some of your equipment, but there are some items that won't work at that voltage. For this they make a battery with both terminals on it, but in my opinion it's not worth the extra headache.

Thanks for the thoughts guys, and for the pic TWC. I'll look again between 4 and 6. I'm thinking I may have to put a few zig zags in the tube because every which way I looked the first time, there are no straight shots thru the tubes to the pan fitting. You are correct that there is little room for collector headers. I am looking at oval tubing to pass under the floorpan to get to the mufflers just in front of the rearend.

Thanks again
Dave

Sounds like you have been talking to John at Product Engineering. From a strictly engineering point he is right about your ignition and fuel pump liking the higher voltage, although a more practical view is that a good 12 volt works well in many winning cars. Need I remind anybody that at one time the common automotive standard was 6 volts - now exactly why was it that 12 volts was better...exactly why a 16 volt system is better still!

Thomas

"Sounds like you have been talking to John at Product Engineering."

Guilty.....I called to inquire about his regulator and bypass system and got a pretty detailed discussion of fuel system design which led to the electrical system discussion. I kept up with that part of the discussion to a point but I'm no electrical engineer and, quite frankly, it started to go over my head. I was amazed though at the amount of time he took out of his busy day, and knowledge he shared with me in that one conversation. I'd highly recommend him to anyone looking to upgrade their fuel system. And yes I did end up buying his regulator and bypass system.

Thanks for your thoughts Thomas.

Regards/ Dave

John's willingness to burn up large amounts of time talking with customers is legendary. Simple fact is that the guy just loves cars and hot rods. Really the guy is way beyond retired, I believe he has been turning wrenches for 60+ years. Hot rods have been a very good business for him, so now he comes into work to play - and his kind of play is all about horsepower and racing. I've only met a couple of guys like him, even after all these years he has the drive to continue innovating and pushing for more - we should all be so lucky!

Thomas