R4 Reality, one big issue....

[sam z]

The friggin' headers. Who would have guessed?

One of the pipes is making contact with the stater housing. Yes, I already have a
minnie starter. They are hedmans. Other than that everything is good.

So far, what I have done is take an asbestos plug wire boot, cut it open because originally it is tube shaped, folded it over itself, and secured it to the housing of the starter. This is a temporary fix obviously.

Ok...my thought is to bend (beat on) the tube to make the clearance. When there is greater
clearance, wrap the newly damaged tube with asbestos, a heat wrap, etc.

Suggestions. Other than that all is good. This problem sucks however.

 

[moparchris]

My Bee has a gear reduction (factory) starter that rests on my Thorley header. As a matter of fact I had to use a pry bar to move the header over to install the starter. I have yet to have any problems with heat and the starter. Obviously this is not an ideal situation but most of us are dealing with it, so your not alone. I usually take the header and heat it with a propane torch and lay a deep socket on the header and tap the socket with a hammer.

 

[sixgunrunner68]

[quote="moparchris"I usually take the header and heat it with a propane torch and lay a deep socket on the header and tap the socket with a hammer.[/quote]

x2
This will be easier than just beating it.

 

[mcmopar]

Easy - but expensive - solution: tti headers. Don't know if they are in the budget but they would be well worth it.

 

[george68hemirr]

Easy - but expensive - solution: tti headers. Don't know if they are in the budget but they would be well worth it.

got my vote on the TTI headers....buy the best and forgetaboutit

 

[mcmopar]

Before I bought my tti's I had bought a set of Hedmans. When I tried to install them I ran into the exact same problem. The No. 1 tube was hitting my mini-starter so I pounded the tube but still could not gain clearance. I called Hedman and told them about the problem and they took them back even though I had damaged the tube by pounding on it. They sent me another set but the results were exactly the same - the No. 1 tube was still on the starter. I told them and they took back this set as well. Then one of their engineers called me and said they must have been manufactured wrong. This was back in 2003! If you just bought those Hedmans get on the phone and send them back and get a refund. Then order a set of tti's. Yeah they are about 5 times more expensive but they will fit without any tube dinging and they seal up without any leaks at all.

 

[sam z]

Ok, here's the deal:

Shop that is doing my work said they (like many of us) have run into similar. Shop owner
said they will heat the tube and bend/shape it to gain the clearance. The best way? I dunno,
people have probably done worse.

Went to my tech (where I get all of my family's cars repaired) and he said similar. He was
a little cautious in how to handle it, but said if heated properly and done patiently it can
be done, and the issue would most likely be solved. If my paint shop isn't comfortable handling
it, he said he'll go for it.

Finally, if this turns out to be a fiasco or looks like s#*$ or doesn't work or whatever, I'm going
to OEM manifolds. I'm tired of this BS. I love these cars but this is my second b body mopar
with these issues. TTI's are a a whole bunch of money, and I'm not related to the Kennedys.
Like a lot of projects, this one is on a budget and has stayed within it so far. I don't race or beat on it that much. Dependability and a car that I enjoy driving, that's all I'm after. I probably should have gone OEM to begin with, but I gambled. I'll let you guys know.

Other than this, car is looking great right now. Oh yeah, it runs too. Engine is in and running as of yesterday.

 

[moparchris]

Ok, here's the deal:

Shop that is doing my work said they (like many of us) have run into similar. Shop owner
said they will heat the tube and bend/shape it to gain the clearance. The best way? I dunno,
people have probably done worse.

Went to my tech (where I get all of my family's cars repaired) and he said similar. He was
a little cautious in how to handle it, but said if heated properly and done patiently it can
be done, and the issue would most likely be solved. If my paint shop isn't comfortable handling
it, he said he'll go for it.

Finally, if this turns out to be a fiasco or looks like s#*$ or doesn't work or whatever, I'm going
to OEM manifolds. I'm tired of this BS. I love these cars but this is my second b body mopar
with these issues. TTI's are a a whole bunch of money, and I'm not related to the Kennedys.
Like a lot of projects, this one is on a budget and has stayed within it so far. I don't race or beat on it that much. Dependability and a car that I enjoy driving, that's all I'm after. I probably should have gone OEM to begin with, but I gambled. I'll let you guys know.

Other than this, car is looking great right now. Oh yeah, it runs too. Engine is in and running as of yesterday.

I do love the simplicity of the factory manifolds, and they are probably the best in terms of factory manifolds of the muscle car era.

 

[Basketcase]

and the world is flat starter is a piece of cake to change with the manifolds. If my headers go bad, I'll put manifolds on.
according to the recipts I got with my car, it has Headmans on it, and plenty of room for the starter.

 

[Steve]

I've got Hedmans on mine Sam,I wanted TTi's but I was already blowing my budget so had to get Hedmans.My engine builder fitted them when I had the 440 built over winter so I've no idea the way he bent them,but they now fit and with no leaks.See pic below,I placed a piece of card to show the tiny gap between header and mini starter.Not had any problems as yet.As you can see bending was also required to clear torsion bar.

 

[Big John]

I had a set of Hedmans on my car years ago that fit without issue.... but that was a 440 engine with a higher deck height. The lower deck of the 383 puts the headers down a bit and that may be the issue. Headers were probably first built for a RB block car or vice versa.

 

[mcmopar]

When I go back to Pure Stock my car will be outfitted with the factory exhaust manifolds and a 2.5" exhaust system. This is the 1st time I've ever run headers and after the Hedman fiasco I decided to bite the bullet and go for broke with the tti's. They definitely aren't for everyone and if I were building the car now I'd definitely stay with the factory manifolds as my budget is completely different these days from days gone by. I really like the factory manifolds and can't wait to get the car back to Pure Stock form so I can run them again.

 

[sam z]

John - My car has a 440. The amount of contact is slight but definite. Sucks, but it will get remedied.

The more I think about it I'm going to try to get away with it for a year or two. Put a couple of bucks
together and get the exhaust done front to back starting with cast iron manifolds at some point in
the future.

For now, dent them and go I guess.

 

[moparstuart]

my hooker super comps fit great , the jet hot coating is peeling like gang busters down by the collector fange but they fit and perform great on my 383