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I would like to swap a 350 and th350 trannsimssion into my 1946 chevy truck. I would like to keep the stock steering and suspension and i know that a problem will be having the 350 exhaust clear the stock steering box. I was wandering if anyone knew of any exhaust manifold or header that would allow clearance of the steering box. I also heard of people making their own headers to solve this problem for 47-54 chevy trucks and was wandering if i could make my own headers to solve this problem on my 1946. Any advice would greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

"I also heard of people making their own headers to solve this problem for 47-54 chevy trucks and was wandering if i could make my own headers to solve this problem on my 1946."

Jor di55, making your own headers is definitely doable. I'm no professional welder but I've made several sets, including a "Tri-Y" set modeled after Doug Thorley headers when I ran a small block Chevy V8 in my now restored '36 Chevy pickup. Making your own headers allows a custom fit to avoid all obstacles and to optimize the kind of power you seek to produce.

You will need flanges, an assortment of U-bends in mild steel or staniless steel, avaition snips to trim the tubing to a perfect fit for welding, welding skills and basically any type of welding equipment for mild steel or a tig machine for stainless steel.

If you use mild steel a really effective, permanent and inexpensive rust proofing coating is "flame sprayed" aluminum. When I restored my '36 pickup in the early 70s I had the exhaust pipe, muffler and tail pipe flame sprayed and they still look perfect.

It is really cool that you are considering doing this yourself rather than farming the work out like almost everyone else does in today's society. You can do it!

You might consider using a 2004R overdrive transmission. It is the same length as a TH350 and has a .67 overdrive and a lock up converter, both very handy for fuel economy.

Ray Waldbaum [email protected]

Guess I am pretty fortunate,by living fairly close to Summit Speed Shop.When I did up my 55 I installed the engine and tranny then went to Summit with the measurements.Came back home with a set of Hedman Blockhugger headers that have worked out just fine.Somewhere out there is a set of headers that will work for you.

When I put a 283/350 in my 46 I ran into the same issue. I used the old 265 "Log" manifolds. They don't breath as well as headers but they get the job done. I'm planning to swap to a 327 soon and will look for a solution that breaths a little better then, but they work fine for now.

Rick

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1235683823033133681SGYpUY

No need for custom headers.If the engine is mounted in the right spot there is plenty of room to use the stock manual steering box and use the stock straight axel front end.I have both on mine and there is plenty of room.I had to run a shorty water pump and steel fan to have enough room at the radiator.The block hugger headers or the stock chevy rams horn exhaust manifolds will work.Look for the 2 1/2 corvette manifolds if you want a little better performance.

I just scored a brand new set of corvette 2.5" rams horns made by dorman from oreilly auto parts for under $200 for the pair. Ill be fitting the motor this weekend and will let you know how it works out.