With the engine and trans mounted the next hurdle was finding a set of headers that would fit. The headers or exhaust manifolds need to clear the frame and inner fenderwells and allow a path for the steering linkage. After a ton of time looking at block huggers, shorties and other manifolds and headers in pictures on the internet I decided to tryout the Patriot shorty headers and see how they fit. I bought the painted headers so if I have to modify them then I wouldn't be destroying a finish. I will eventually have them ceramic coated once they are final fitted.
I temp bolted them to the engine and as expected, the RH side looks real good and the LH side looks promising with some trimming of the inner fenderwell in a local area. I used a 3/4” wooden dowel to eyeball the path of the steering linkage but before I can claim victory I need to further develop the steering linkage to make sure it or the headers don't need tweaked. So next up is the steering linkage and column.
1949 Chevy Panel Truck A Project Journal I'm old but I make up for it by being immature.
