I have a 70 Chevelle with a 468 BB. I just took off the cast iron heads and installed a set of Dart Pro1's. I have Hooker Super Comp ceramic coated headers with 2" primaries and 3.5" collectors. I didn't have any problems with the iron heads, but with the new aluminum heads, the headers are hitting the steering shaft. Does anyone have any suggestions one how to remedy this?

The Dart Pro 1 Exhaust Ports are Raised .300''

How much interference do you have. If its minor then just dimple the tube where it makes contact.

My headers were the same, with power steering, dented the header. My buddies El Camino with manual steering has plenty of clearance.

maybe loosen up the motor mounts and rock the motor to the side a bit.

Will denting the headers cause the ceramic coating to crack/flake off? This is the only reason I didn't already to that. Thanks everyone for the fast replies.

Will denting the headers cause the ceramic coating to crack/flake off? This is the only reason I didn't already to that. Thanks everyone for the fast replies.
If you can take the header off, dimple it with a press, coating should be OK. I used a big prybar and scratched mine, just dabbed a little silver header paint on it.

My headers were the same, with power steering, dented the header. My buddies El Camino with manual steering has plenty of clearance.

Hmmm.... mine originally had power steering but I took that off and put a manual box on it. But it still hits. I guess I'll try putting a little dent in them unless someone else has a better solution for me.

if your not to far off, loosen the bolts on the steering box, and shim the front 2 bolts, that should push the steering shaft away from the headers-been doing that for years, never a problem

Wouldnt shimming the box push it into the headers more? I am having the same issue of the headers hitting the shaft. Please explain or send a pic to: js66chev@yahoo.com

Thanks!

If it is not hitting bad, you can loosen the bolts under the dash on the column and move it some, not sure if this will cause other problems though??? I did it on mine and had no problems, still had to dent them though.

Thanks...my shaft is just skimming the header but still causes interferance. Cant move the column on the inside due to the place that is bolted into the firewall,

Loosen the 3 bolts that bolt the plate to the firewall, they have a lot of adjustment there. loosen the steering column bolts (under the dash) , stick a thick screwdriver or prybar between the header and steering shaft and tighten everything back up with the prybar in place. You should have plenty of room, it worked on mine.
Ron

Thanks and it wont hurt the steering box????

I dimpled my coated headers and it did not flake or chip. I marked them and then held a socket at the angle of the shaft and hit the socket with a hammer. 2 years and no problems.

LK

Thanks and it wont hurt the steering box????
Nope, I have close to 40,000 miles on mine since I did that. No problems.
Ron

Thanks Ron, I will try it this weekend and let everyone know.

Call Lemons headers. They make some beautiful headers that don't need bending, denting or any other mangling.

How is the spark plug wire fit on 6&8?:)

kind of picture in your mind the steering box piviting-if the front moves toward the engine, the rear will move away, pushing the steering shaft away from the motor(we are only talking a little, but sometimes enough)
also, as mentioned, the column can be moved some also at the firewall-the seal is usually stuck on the firewall or the bracket, so there might be some resistance-i would try these things before dragging out the BFH

Thanks everyone! I will shimming the box a bit first, then the moving the column if I still need some room.

Buying a different set of headers is completely out of the question because the ceramic coated Super Comps aren't exactly cheap and besides, I built the dual 3.5" exhaust to fit these headers perfectly and I don't feel like changing that.

This head/header combo has definately been a pain in the a$$. I also had to grind down a spark plug socket to get the #4 spark plug in. All others were fine, just ONE gave me a problem and I didn't want to have to loosen the headers every time I pull the plugs (which can be several times a weekend at the track).

But again, thanks for all the great advice. I'll let you all know how it works out.

I dimpled my coated headers and it did not flake or chip. I marked them and then held a socket at the angle of the shaft and hit the socket with a hammer. 2 years and no problems.

LK

I also used the socket and hammer method and it worked fine and the coating hasn't flaked or scratched. Just mark it and give it one good strike and it should do it.

The header ceramic coating will not chip or crack, it could scratch though....If it chips or cracks, the header was not prepared properly before spraying..

My buddys el camino had the same problem and moving everything didn't work so we massaged his steering shaft. It's amazing what sand paper and a few hours will do.

for my 68 I just moved the column over and same on the firewall.