In December I became the owner of a '59 Apache 31, half ton stepside. It has a 283 V8 and is mostly stock, but it does have headers.
I tracked down an exhaust leak where the left header bolts to the cylinder head. That's when I noticed that somebody had beat on the left header with a hammer to dent it so it would clear the steering box. So I decided to replace the headers, thinking that they were probably wrong for the truck anyway.
My local parts store ordered Hedman #69260, which is supposed to fit 55-66 trucks w/ small block V8s. I verified the number myself on Hedman's site.
I was surprised when they arrived because they looked exactly like the ones that were on there (that don't really fit). I measured as best I could, and to me, the headers didn't look like they were going to clear that steering box.
But what do I know? So I took it to my exhaust man to have him install the headers, and he also concluded they won't fit.
Has anybody else had this experience? Does somebody make a header that actually works?
Thanks,
LT
