I posted a question about Hooker headers and engine frame mounts for my 69' chevelle on the first of this month and thank you for all the answers. I called Hooker about my Hooker Super Comps with 2" primaries on a 69' 396 BB with Merlin heads and told them the headers were hitting the lower control arm on the drivers side. They told me to get the BB frame mounts because the engine needs to sit lower, so I got a set from Ground-Up Restorations(They are lower than the small block mounts). Then I called Energy Suspension to get a set of there motor mounts, they said to get the BB mounts which measure 2-3/16" from the engine to the center of the bolt that holds it to the frame mount but there SB mount measures 1-3/4" so I asked why can't I use the SB mounts so the engine sits lower and they said I would have to use SB frame mounts because they are wider than BB. So I got the BB mounts, put them in along with the new BB frame mounts (took me 4 hours, what a pain in the A$$) and the headers still wont fit!!!(They still hit the lower control arm). I think the engine needs to be lower and over to the passenger side more.

Should I get the SB motor mounts and put a spacer in with the mounting bolt or should I cut a piece of the lower control arm out or should I dent the headers in a little?.

Does anybody have a 68' to 72' with a BB and Hooker Super Comps with 2" primaries that made it fit?.

Help me before I start punching holes in the wall!!.

If you can create enough clearence by dinging the headers, that would be an acceptable solution.
Heat the metal with a torch.
put a round dowel (broomhandle) against the exact spot you want to dent.
Hit the dowel with a hammer.
Don't beat on the header with the hammer directly.
most headders need a little "persuasion" and sometimes a dimple to make them fit.
Remember to talk nice to it...it can't hurt


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Robert H. Byers
1969 396ss
rbyers@purdue.edu
Clan Byers Racing
FTY

And I thought the Super Comps were supposed to fit the best. What are you supposed to do when you buy the ceramic coating? Ding that?

I bought the headers straight from Jet-Hot with their coating applied and didn't think of buying the Hooker headers un-coated, test for fit and then send to Jet-Hot, but they gave me a cheaper price to buy the headers from them. I don’t want to ding the headers but if that’s my only option then I will do it but I would like to get some answers from anybody that has a 68' to 72' chevelle with a BB and Hooker Super Comps with the 2" primaries.

I wonder if its the Merlin heads. I need to do something soon, this is getting real frustrating, everytime I think I'm rolling along there is a stumbling block but I always got through them but this has to be the worst yet!.

This site has helped me alot the last 3 years I've been visiting it and thanks for all of the answers to my questions.

David,
I have the BB motor mounts and hooker super comps and meerlin oval port heads.
I agree it is a tight fit and my area was the steering shaft from column to ps pump where it rubbed. Close around A arms too but not more than touching. nNo dents there anyway http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif
Engine does sit down more with BB mounts BTW.
Sorry you are having so much trouble.

Dan

Well, I dented the headers, grinded out part of the lower control arm and they still don't fit!!. I have about a 1/8" gap at the top of the header to head section till it is flush. I give up!!.