Well finally got the 496 in yesterday :hurray:!!!! I went with the Brodix heads I am finding that the bottom of the drivers side header flange is sitting on the rear head stud nut.. I took the steering shaft out from the rag joint and moved it out of the way, got the front in way up, got the header in... I believe I got to grind the flange out a little to fix the prob... Anybody else have this problem?? It also looks that even with the flange fixed the steering shaft is going to be hitting the header?? Your help is appreciated...

Common problem with the head bolts. Especially replacement head bolts that often have a higher profile. Grind down the header flange or grind down the top of the bolt. I'll probably catch a lot of flack on the second option but I've down it on 2 different engines. I didn't have to take a lot off and it saved me from grinding off the ceramic coating on the headers.

Dinging a header tube seems to be pretty common as well to clear steering or UCA. I haven't had to do it but others have. They suggest marking the spot, pull the header out, set a socket on the area and smack with a hammer.

you might be able to loosen up the column at the bottom of the dash and down at the floor, pry it over as far as it will go a tighten up the bolt at the plate on the floor. Som guys have improvised a little by slotting the holes a little, allowing the bottom of the column to moved over just a fraction or two.

I had this same problem with my hooker headers. I had to grind down the flanges on the headers quite a bit to get them to clear the head bolts on my eddie heads. No big deal, just about 45 minutes of grinding will take care of them.

Okay, I will start the grinding on Monday.... Question though, the headers are coated, if I need to put some dents in them in order to clear (say the steering shaft) will they chip???

Had the same problem with Hedmans long tubes and my AC equiped '70 with a 496. I have stock heads on it The long tubes touched the steering shaft and would not clear the AC box on the passenger side.

I sold the Hedmans and tried some Hookers. I returned them for the same problem. I ping'ed TC and the response was to use Sanderson headers. I bought some shorties and they dropped right in. I lifted the engine on the driver's side just to clear the oil filter housing and the steering shaft. They wiggled into place on the passenger side.

Good luck,
E.

Passenger Side (http://www.austintx.net/echristie/Chevelle/SS0116.jpg)
Driver's Side (http://www.austintx.net/echristie/Chevelle/SS0117.jpg)