Im pretty sold on these Patriot short/ full length headers "Clippster" Part Number H8012-1 Ceramics. Im pretty sure they will fit automatic w/ column shift, 2 places says it will. 1 Catelog says it will, and will not fit standard transmission. It was just worded funny, in summit and the patriot catelog. Let me know what you guys think.

Call Summit and ask. If he says yes order them. Any problem they'll take care of you.

Well it says it won't fit column shifter which is what I still have, sadly smile.gif But I can knock that out and put in a floor shift, whatever. But my real concern is, it says it wont fit close ratio saginaw steering boxes. I dont think mine is a saginaw I cant remember, but it is aftermarket and a close ratio box, I put it in a few months ago. :eek: Flowtech's Footnotes are the same.

The flange thickness would probably make a difference wouldnt it? If it isnt much I can always grind a little edge or something off the steering box. Let me know if you guys have and ideas or run this stuff.

I picked up a set of coated Patriots, which, I'm told, are a Hedman knockoff for a 1969 Chevelle with an sbc. Nice thick flange. They look great coated. Problem: The #5 exhaust tube hits the steering shaft. There are a couple of ways that Patriot could take care of the problem (neither of which they seem to have any interest in doing). I don't think I'm the only one with this problem.

BTW, I am using a copper gasket, which is definitely thicker than the paper gasket that Patriot provides. Anyway, when Patriot asked me which gasket I was using, I told them. I recommend you use a copper gasket, which is a little bit thicker.

Anyway, I called up Patriot and told them about the problem. I had to e-mail a couple of photos of the problem. The photos show the ring left on the steering shaft where the header hits. However, one of the photos showed maybe a 1/4" gap between the header tube and the steering shaft. Patriot argued with me about replacing the driver's side because there was that gap there. (I still have vibration in the steering wheel). Anyway, I finally got Patriot to agree to replace the driver's side.

The problem is that the #5 exhaust tube just sticks out a little too far. There's plenty of spark plug clearance, but it sticks out so far (farther than any other tube) it contacts the steering shaft (btw, I talked to a gal at the place that sold me the headers and she has the same problem with her 55 Chevy and her Patriot headers).

Anyway, Patriot is going to flatten the #5 tube (I was going to have a tech heat it with a torch, put a flat piece of metal on it and then smack it with a hammer to flatten it) and then send the headers out to be coated. (They could change that one tube and make it just a tad shorter, the other way of addressing the problem).

I even got a bit of an argument when I went to get my new header (they were going to charge me to mail it to me). The guy I spoke to wasn't in that good of a mood, for whatever reason. When I asked him if he could flatten that #5 tube, he says, "I don't have anyone here that can do it right now." Well, heck, I said, I don't need it done "right now" just get it done. He repeated that he didn't have any one that could do it "right now." I repeated that I didn't need it "right now" and I finally got through to him and he agreed to do that (although I'm not holding my breath on getting it back any time soon).

Anyway, once they get it back from being coated, I then go pick up the new and improved header and return my old one.

Given a choice, (unfortunately they are so darned expensive) I would go for Hooker headers. Pertronix owns Patriot (I think they were called Thunderbird before Patriot bought them). The product engineering is so so and the customer service is below so so. Just my .02.

Sorry for the long post.

Phil

i cant comment on patriot headers because ive never used them.

quite a few of the header manufacturers state that their headers will not work with the close ratio steering. every 1 3/4 header i have seen fits both the camaro and chevelle, but the close ratio steering fitment problem ONLY applies to the camaro.

the reason is the location of the steering box on the camaro. if you have ever noticed a camaro is a "rear" steer car which means the steering box and all the steering components are behind the crossmember. the steering box is located between the engine and frame right next to the headers.

on all a-body cars(chevelle and the like) the steering box and components are in front of the crossmember. because of this the steering box isnt anywhere near the headers, so it wont matter what steering box you have.

Ahhh thanks guys, extremely helpful. Im glad someone else is running them. So PARRY you have the same exact ones huh. Yeah that would be nice about #5 tube if it were flat. Well this is interesting that my problem might be steering column or column shift linkage which I can take out. But the steering column would suck. I really like the length of these. I dont know of any of medium lengths like this. Either shorty/block hugger or full length which I dont want to mess with anyone because of my drop coils.

If you are set on the Patriots, get them uncoated. Maybe mock them up on the engine to see how they work. Make any modifications that are necessary (such as flattening) and THEN send them out to be coated.

That is definitely not the best way to go, but it is a possibility if you really want the Patriots. (Their header manufacturing facility is down here in SoCal.)

Oh, one other thing. We picked up the shorties to avoid the ground clearance problem that you have with the full-length headers. Well, guess what. The driver's side header hangs down further than the passenger side (by quite a bit). When we installed the driver's side street adapter (I guess that's what it's called, it's the thing that bolts to the exhaust header), we ended up taking a Sawzall to it and cut off a good 2" to 3," just so it wouldn't hang down so far. The driver's side still hangs down further than the passenger side, and I have located one speed bump that requires exceptionally slow speed, to avoid contact with the header.

Good luck.

Dynomax ceramacoated headers 1.75"x3" and you'll be fine,the pics I've seen of your car,it sits not lower than my car,and yes I have a tube on the drivers side that has scrape marks on it.

You think the Dynomax would be fine? Ive heard all good about them. They only come in full length dont they? I wish more places made a mid length, either short or long it seems.

I like my dynomax headers. They still look good too.

Phil, I think Rapid may be right. I have dynomax on my car with 34 yr old springs up front. From the looks of your car it doesn't look any lower in front than mine. From what I can see they're tucked up just about has tight as they can be without hitting the crossmember. It might just be another option for you.

You guys are talking about the Dynomax Full Lengths right? Those were my first choice a couple weeks ago, then started exploring options. The dynomax, ive yet to hear any major problems with them. Full lengths... I believe. I think they're 86110 or something?

Yes full length ceramic. Don't know the number but they only have one that fits the Chevelle. If you want I'll measure low point of headers and frame to ground. You can measure your frame to ground and see if they'll work for you. Let me know where you want frame to ground measured if you want that info.

would you guy's know if the dynomax 86110 will fit a 67 ss chevelle? i looked in there catalog and it said yes, but i've heard different on this site?


chris

Did you check this post, all about 67s.
http://www.chevelles.com/forum/ultimatebb.php/topic/35/3128.html