The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Exhaust manifold clearance

Hi Folks, I'm having a clearance issue. I have a '51 3800 Panel with a 350SBC. Steering box is right in the way. What exhaust manifolds/headers are you all using in your applications?
Thanks in advance folks.
Fast Eddie.

A driver's side manifold for a 1955/56 265 engine has the outlet ahead of the steering box. They're usually available on Ebay or at swap meets for very reasonable prices. A pass side manifold will also work but it doesn't have the mounting boss for a generator or alternator. Don't worry about gas flow- - - -the only power advantage of using rams' horn manifolds or headers happens at RPM's higher than most street engines ever run.
Jerry

Just for conversation.......... I cannot remember the Stovebolter's name but he use to post fairly regular.
In one of his post he talked about actually moving the steering gear box over either 1 or 1 1/2 inches.
I THINK he did it using a piece of angle iron. I thought it moving it would be noticeable inside the cab but it didn't seem to be a problem at the time.

I'm not endorsing this but adding to the conversation.

I also believe someone mentioned a header that exited out the back end of it and would work. Was it a Chevelle header?? Jerry, I'm thinking maybe it was you that mentioned it but as usual, I get in trouble when I go to thinking.

Yes, there are a few styles of exhaust manifolds for 305 V8's with either angled or straight down outlets back by the firewall on both sides. I used them on "claimer" racing 350's frequently, with no noticeable loss of torque on the dyno, compared to rams' horn manifolds. Spacing the bottom of the steering gear away from the frame makes the steering wheel sit slightly out of square with the dash.
Jerry

Personally, I would feel more comfortable with the idea of moving the engine over 1 1/2 or 2 inches to the right rather than monkey with my steering. As long as the centerline of the engine goes straight back, and the pinion comes straight forward, the u-joints will be happy.
There are numerous vehicles which came from the factory with offset between the engine and the pinion of the axle.

I just checked Ebay- - - -there are numerous examples of the rear dump exhaust manifolds for 305 and 350 engines, including the ones that put the manifold runners below the spark plugs. Those accomplish the same results as "block hugger" headers, at a fraction of the cost and installation hassles.
Jerry

Simple solution, 55 & 56 small block exhaust headers. I may have a spare set PM me if you are interested!
Jim

92 Camaro Manifolds. You'll have to plug the AIR ports.

Ed Lupardo In the few V-8 installs I done shimmed the steering box out 5/8 inch,used a 66 bellair left manifold,kept the whole drive line centered.

Ed Lupardo Another thing on your foward and aft position I learned to put a tin script rocker coveron the passenger side and set it a palm of your hand thickness from the stock firewall,now when I done it there was no HEI so consider that. Also the hight will affect your clearances on things .

I did an LS swap in my 51. Moved steering box over 1.5 inches with angle iron and spacer. Made an adjustable drag link out of an old tie rod and new style tie rod ends and off set my engine to the passenger side 2 inches. The adjustable drag link allowed me to put the drag link on the back side of the pitman arm. This kept the drag link parallel to the frame rail so no bump steer.