[re-animator]

PLEASE HELP !!! i have a 1970 chevelle ss with a 454 motor and edelbrock performer rpm 5600 aluminum heads. i have bought new hooker competition 2" primary tube headers and i put in new aftermarket motor mounts from energy suspension. i did not have a problem with driver's side clearance on the headers,especially around the proportioning valve or reverse lock-out linkage. the headers seem to clear fine on the driver's side, but on the passenger side,the primary tube closest to the front of the engine hits the frame bracket for the lower control arm. i noticed that this tube was welded together from the factory.i talked to someone at hooker and he said it had to be welding because there were two compound bends. does this sound like a screw-up with hooker,an aftermarket head problem,or a motor mount issue?? i feel i shouldnt have to modify $425.00 ceramic coated headers,especially for an a-body. please advise.

 

[Hi-po SS 454]

I have the Comp. Hookers on a 71 and they fit tight but no contact on pass side, but have contact with prop. valve on drivers side...repositioned valve and Headers are now being ceramic coated..You haven't sent your headers back yet????? A hassle to do that but they should fit with no problems at that price....You can't grind that piece it touches??? Also, I noticed one of my tubes is welded, probably the same one as yours..

 

[re-animator]

hi rich; so your passenger side didnt contact the lower control arm bracket or bellhousing?

 

[re-animator]

anyone else run into this problem?? thanks. dave

 

[Bob West]

Hey Dave, clean out your mailbox, I tried replying to your message but said your mailbox was full. I've used Hookers,Dynomax and now Hedman headers and never had issues with the control arm brackets, I've heard others just take a grinder to it to gain clearance.

 

[BillsCamino]

Hey Dave, clean out your mailbox, I tried replying to your message but said your mailbox was full.

Same here...I can't respond to your PM because your mailbox is full. :clonk:
Sounds like you've spammed everyone looking for an answer...

 

[re-animator]

sorry guys. please try to reply now.

 

[SS_Sean]

To respond to your PM I have hedman headers, that are ceramic coated and had no fitment issues on my 1970 Chevelle, so I'm not going to be much of a help for you.

 

[Hi-po SS 454]

hi rich; so your passenger side didnt contact the lower control arm bracket or bellhousing?

Very close but NO contact on control arm bracket

 

[OregonMalibu]

I installed 2" super comps on a 69 recently. First of all I used studs for the heads and had to notch the flange across the bottom for both headers. Both side I had to grind off the rear of the control arm and the bolt. Drivers side was pretty good except one of the tubes is almost resting on the cross member. The passenger side I had to notch the housing of the transmission as well as taking off about half of the thickness of the ear. Other than that they fit great. Starter and plug clearance is great. I used Moroso solid motor mounts, which I don't know if that changes the location, but these headers are supposed to fit the stock location with no mods. Next time I'm buying them unfinished and having them coated after all mods have been done. I hate scratching $650.oo headers.Hope this helps.

 

[ejrempel]

Yeah, my 2" Hooker 'comp' headers hit the lower control arm bracket on the passenger side with Energy Suspension motor mounts. Honestly, Hooker is just plain lazy on this one. No one really gives a damn. And no one runs stock motor mounts with 700 ponies, which is why you would buy 2" in the first place. Maybe everyone in the design department should just stay on coffee break.

 

[hoffa]

The problem is hooker headers are cheap pieces of ****,send them back and go to this site www.stahlheaders.com. It will cost you more but stahl will work with you and your car to get you a set that fits. I find that sometimes I just have to spend the money to get good results. I think it makes no sense to notch or modify your car for exhaust,I know because I made all those same mistakes.

 

[Hi-po SS 454]

I have to agree with you Hoffa, hooker headers has the name but are a P of S when it comes to fit. Stahl is a name thats been around for ever, but the price, into a thousand bucks is out of hand....
My hookers may have a whole new fit now that I will be installing energy suspenstion motor mounts. I notice the mounts are not as fat as the originals..which means the engine will sit slightly lower..could be trouble...