[echristie]

Guys,

I have a '70 Chevelle with a 454 and Headman 66002 headers. On the driver's side the tubes nearly touch the steering rod but it's okay. On the passenger side, the header prevents the AC box from going into position. I need like 1-4"-3/8" of clearance on the passenger side. Since there is no room on the driver's side, I need to go down.

I e-mailed Hedman and their response was to change the frame mounts. I think this car was originally as small block car but would need to check the VIN and cowl tag to confirm.

Is there a difference between SB & BB frame mounts? If so, what? I ran a search and found a few threads about this. One said that was the solution, another said that he tried it on his '67 without any improvement.

I'm stuck here because I can't proceed further with completing my resto without being able to put the AC box in. Any help would be appreciated.

E.

 

[Widetires22]

Small block 350 and big block mounts are the same for 1970. An original 307 car would need the mounts changed to put a big block in. You must have what you need if they are GM mounts.

I used Sandersen ceramic coated block hugger headers with in my 70 / 402 SS and they cleared the a/c box fine. Valve covers are another story...

Are you using GM mounts or something after market?

 

[Q-ship]

68 thru 72 use the same frame and engine mounts for BB or small block (except 307).....all the header companies say the same freakin thing when you complain about the fit of headers on a Big Block car, they assume cause the Camaro uses different mounts for the BB than the SM that the chevelle must be the same.

 

[echristie]

Small block 350 and big block mounts are the same for 1970. An original 307 car would need the mounts changed to put a big block in. You must have what you need if they are GM mounts.

I used Sandersen ceramic coated block hugger headers with in my 70 / 402 SS and they cleared the a/c box fine. Valve covers are another story...

Are you using GM mounts or something after market?

The frame mounts are the ones that were in the car when I bought it. I have not idea if they are correct or not. Now, just so I am not confused, I am referring to the frame mounts not motor mounts. Correct?

Thanks for the feeback. If you used Sanderson's, what did you have to do with the valve cover clearance? File the flange?

E.

 

[Dave427]

A 307 chevelle uses the wide and short motor mounts. If you have the right frame mounts they use the tall narrow engine mounts.

 

[Widetires22]

I am referring to the frame mounts not motor mounts. Correct?

Thanks for the feeback. If you used Sanderson's, what did you have to do with the valve cover clearance? File the flange?

E.

Yes, the frame mounts. GM mounts are quite low. The bolts that slide through won't be more than an inch off of the frame crossmember. They are usually black unless someone painted them. They are a hump with a hole in them that the mounts on the motor slide over. If the center of the bolt down to the frame (crossmember) is only an inch or inch and a half then your mounts are ok.

These are the Sanderson's I bought. I just got the ones that are ceramic coated:

http://www.sandersonheaders.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23_36&products_id=33

Looks like they have new part number. Call them first if you're interested, like I did.

As for the valve covers I found that the tall Edelbrock Elite covers I bought to clear my roller rockers touched the a/c box (the top back corner of the valve cover). We trimmed the hump off of the top right side of the a/c box and glassed in a new flat piece. You'd never know and we didn't have to change any of the internal parts of the a/c box. Once we got to the drivers side and I realized these valve covers also were going to hit my stock 11" brake booster, I started researching other valve covers and found that the Moroso tall covers cleared my rockers and the brake booster AND probably would have cleared the a/c box without having to make the modifications to it.

The Sanderson headers and Moroso tall covers (or stock size covers if you don't need tall ones) should work for you unless that's some kind of tall block you have in there.

 

[echristie]

Re: Frame mounts and headers

Yes, the frame mounts. GM mounts are quite low. The bolts that slide through won't be more than an inch off of the frame


Snip...


The Sanderson headers and Moroso tall covers (or stock size covers if you don't need tall ones) should work for you unless that's some kind of tall block you have in there.

Thanks Don,

I checked out their site. I have long tubes now, so I was looking at their long tubes. I couldn't get a lot of tech info from the lady who answered the phone, so she said to call back tomorrow. I might have to try them since there doesn't seem to be much I can do about the ones I have. I'll take a snap of the mount to post and compare tomorrow.

Thanks to Q-ship & Dave427 as well!! I REALLY appreciate it!

E.

 

[echristie]

Guys,

Just wanted to revisit this issue as an FYI.

For those out there with 1970 Chevelles and BBC, Hedman ceramic coated headers part number 66002 DO NOT fit in cars with AC. It barely clears the steering shaft, less than 1/16". It will not allow installation of the AC condensor box. I tried a few times to get info from Hedman, but received lack luster response. The tech line recommended these headers as an option.
As recommended, Sanderson BB3's do fit with AC systems.

Thanks,
E.