Header Against the Crossmember

[SteveCanup]

I have a question for all of the experts on here as I have never encountered this problem before. When I purchased my truck this past May it already had headers installed on the 292. I have discovered that the top of both headers are right against the bottom of the tranny crossmember. Should I be concerned about this? My neighbor, who is a mechanic, said that vibration, etc, would eventually cause one or both headers to crack, or some other problems to develop. I think that he is right. I have been driving the truck since May and I have not noticed any problems... but the last time I drove the truck I heard a 'strange' noise coming from the crossmember area. Could a good muffler shop heat and bend these down off of the crossmember? Thanks for any input. (I may try to get some pics of this to post.)
Steve-

[bird55]

I have exactly the same issue. Speedway, Patriot headers. I considered notching the cross-member or like you suggested bending or dimpling the headers. However tolerances and structural bends in that area are very tight and I'm not sure there is an easy or great solution. Also it might be possible to drop the rear engine mts by a little? Next time I'll use Rams horns manifolds and be better off.
BTW mine are just touching and haven't caused a problem YET.

Also I might add, Have you tried removing all the spark plugs yet? Not sure I can get a wrench on #5!
Let me say it again-I wouldn't have bought these had I known-and was to late to send them back.

[SteveCanup]

Here's a pic...

[SteveCanup]

...And... another pic...upside down...

[bird55]

looks familiar.

[bird55]

If you look at my first pic you can see the rubber motor mount. You could shave this down and gain some space but you may risk causing alignment issues elsewhere (linkage carb, trans clutch, maybe) Not to mention I think you would have to remove all the bolts from the header because the mounting bolt access is covered up by the collector tubes!

[LM14]

I have made small corrections, like it looks like you need, by simply sliding a steel bar into the collectors and giving a sharp pull down. Sometimes takes 2 or 3 pulls to get the rom you want. They will usually bend a small amount without heat. Another option is to heat and dimple the collectors where they pass the cross member. Not a big deal, won't effect performance. It's just life with headers.

SPark

[64 f100]

You have a lot of metal in that cross member, not especially needed. Cut some of it out. Just remember that on the bacxk side of the cross member, you have a brake line.

Rich

[SteveCanup]

Thanks guys...There's some heating and pulling and cutting that's happening this week...weather permitting.

[skidoorulz]

Patriot headers do not fit. Put new motor mounts in and you have even a bigger problem than you have now. I tried 2 sets on my restoration with brand new rubber mounts. No way would they work and I was not about to cut the cross member out to make something work that Patriot said would work. I bought a set from Redd's headers and they work great 1/2 inch clearence

[skidoorulz]

Pictures of the problem

[SteveCanup]

Yep...the pics are identical to what I am experiencing. I do not know what brand of header these are, they were already installed on the truck. By the looks of them they had been on there for a while. I am going to try bending them first. If that does not work then I will remove them and either dimple them or notch them. I don't see the need to buy a new set of headers, I will make these work. I was just worried about the contact between them and the crossmember. I do have the original manifolds but I do not like the way they look on the 292 with the 'cross pipe' running in front of the engine.
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

And...as everyone can see from the pics of the greasy tranny and such, I have a rear main oil seal that I am going to have to deal with. Anyone done one before? I have read that they are a pain to replace.

[unibody madness]

Steve, let me know how the header fix goes. I have the same problem with the patriot headers I picked up three years ago for my my sons 223 I6.
As far as your 292 check your valve covers,oil pan, and oil pump seals, when they leak it mimics a rear main seal leak.
John

[SteveCanup]

Thanks John, will do on the headers. Thanks also for the tip. I have already replaced the valve cover gaskets...had to do a valve adjustment. I'll check the oil pan and the oil pump seals as well.

[LM14]

If you have access to a Porta-Power with the split jaw option, you can put the jaw between the crossmember and the header wherever you can get it and start bending that way. That way you sneak up on things and your clearances.

http://www.valleytools.net/app/stx.prod ... p?did=1115

SPark