i just put a set of hooker super comp headers on a '68 with BB and pro-topline alum heads and had the same problem. i didn't see anything to do other than hammer in the pipe, so i did. i kinda wished i had done a neater job, i didn't want to pull everything back off so i smashed it in while on the car.
long story short; the engine isn't going anywhere, your steering shaft really has to be where it is........may as well get out the hammer.

 

I have a 69 Chevelle BB with super comps, all I can tell you is start hammering.

 

I have them on my 69 and they fit perfect right out of the box....... They must have terrible quality control. The biggest issue I have with Hooker is they take the tubes too far down at the front and I have flattened the tubes a bit right at the front. If they get too bad I intend to cut them and weld in a flatter and heavier piece as a bit of a skid plate!

 

Wow, I wasn't aware there was such a difference in fit with Hookers. As far as I know the 70 fit is the same as the 68 and 69 and on my 70 I was using 2" Hooker comps with Merlin heads and they fit great but with only about a 1/8" between the tube and the steering shaft. And they weren't even close to the ground.....maybe that had to do with the raised exhaust ports, I don't know.

 

Solid engine mounts gave me the clearance I needed.

 

i have the same headers on my 71 , i bought them about 6 years ago ,where as i told a friend of mine to buy the same p.n. for his 72 same combo 468 with both afr's and my canfields.mine fit s fine where his we had to beat the snot out of it to clear, also my # 6,and 8 are much easier to change than his.

 

Thanks guys for all your info, seems like i am not the only looking for a hammer! But instead last night i took the whole steering shaft assembly apart and plan to make my own. CRAZY.. maybe, But just cant seem to smash a new set of headers.

 

i don't blame you there as mine were coated when i bought them from summit and its hard to justify whal-n on 350++++++++++++ bones

 

I beleave there made in Mexico now.

The knuckle have anything to do with power sterring? My Small block race headers hit it also.

Rob



heres a pick . you can see the knuckle a little under the brake booster




http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8839/chevellegood052large0jw.jpg

 

Gee,

Mine fit fine with the Canfields, close, but no dimpling. I wonder what will happen when I bolt the AFR's on this weekend ??

 

i used the hooker comps on my 68 b/b with pro-topline's, and they fit pretty good-if i had to do anything(been a while) i shimed the steering box a tiny bit and that will move the steering shaft over a little bit

 

Just wondering how the hooker comps fit on a SBC? I plan on putting these on this summer on my 70 350. Thanks!

 

I also had to "adjust" my 2455 Hookers at the steering shaft.

 

Re: Hooker Comp Header Fit ?

Hookers even have the same fitting problems w/ the early chevelles too. My '65 bbc w/ hooker headers is touching the steering shaft. It was kinda ruff steering the car when I first put them in, and I don't think I could of hammered it when it was in the car after, it was awhile ago, so I just let it wear itself, which the steering shaft now has a indentation from turning. Yea it sux, I'm never going w/ hookers for anything. I also hate how my car is at stock height and I strape everytime i'm going over bumps, this should not happen on a stock height springs.

Dynomax are the way to go for bbc. Do some searches, you'll see

 

Just wondering how the hooker comps fit on a SBC? I plan on putting these on this summer on my 70 350. Thanks!

Fit perfect. Darn things practically fell in. A note though I'm using solid (tall) motor mounts and a manual steering unit. Also my Hooker comps on my BBC fit great also. I needed to dimple a tiny spot where the brake distribution block mounted to the frame.

 

Re: Hooker Comp Header Fit ?

Hookers even have the same fitting problems w/ the early chevelles too. My '65 bbc w/ hooker headers is touching the steering shaft. It was kinda ruff steering the car when I first put them in, and I don't think I could of hammered it when it was in the car after, it was awhile ago, so I just let it wear itself, which the steering shaft now has a indentation from turning. Yea it sux, I'm never going w/ hookers for anything. I also hate how my car is at stock height and I strape everytime i'm going over bumps, this should not happen on a stock height springs.

Dynomax are the way to go for bbc. Do some searches, you'll see

Did you use big block coil springs ? Mine touched the steering shaft ,until I pinged the tube. But have never scraped.

 

i have a set of the 2" to 3.5" hooker competitions on my 66 w/ a 454, 078 casting oval port heads. I had a lot of fun installing the driver side. I didn't have the steering column installed when i did it. to get the steering column in I had to unbolt the header, and cut the end off the bolt at the front of the upper control arm. then with one person holding the header above the car, one underneath the car, one person inside manipulating the steering column with another hitting the steering column with a hammer.

but man they look nice in there. quarter inch clearance from the steering column and plenty from the ground.

 

Well made the new steering shaft and bought the universal joints from borgeson.. OUCH, but worked out fine. The third tube is really close but with solid mounts i think i"ll be fine.

 

Man just when I thought I was the only one who butchered my new headers.I have a 70 with a GM 572 crate engine and was told by Hooker that due to the tall deck height of this block clearancing(nice word for smash the @%$& out of your headers)the header at tubes 3 and 5 in the area of the steering shaft is neccessary for this application.
Vinny

 

say man u try going on the inside and loosen up the steering column,taken the plate up that bolts to the floor and sloting the holes.that way u can move ur steering shaft over.i'm running the 2" heddmans full length ceramic coated jobs,and thats what i did cleared them by 1/4.before i did that i thought i was going to have bash the s**t out of them to make room.glad i didnt.

 

i have chevy d ports and have no clearance problems up top. they hang down well below the bottom of frame. im calling lemons and will be done with hooker !!!!!