Trouble installing my zz502

[67rox]

The car is a 67camaro:Having a small issue and I need some advice. Installing my 502 with Hooker Super Comp's w/2" primaries. One of the primaries is almost touching the side of the power steering housing. You can barely see daylight between the housing and header. I am using 67 BB frame mounts and Energy Suspension engine mounts (short/wide). Do you guys think this is enough clearance or should I start banging on the header which i really do not want to do (really nice polished jet-coat). This is the only clearance issue I am having with the install. Much advice would be welcomed.

[andrewb70]

In my opinion if everything fits and you have an air gap, your good to go.

Andrew

[67rox]

my concern was under accel. the engine would torque and press the header into the power steering housing causing a rubbing effect that will start wearing a hole into the header?

[andrewb70]

my concern was under accel. the engine would torque and press the header into the power steering housing causing a rubbing effect that will start wearing a hole into the header?

The poly mounts don't move around much, but your concern is certainly legitimate. How much space do you have? Can you taka picture? If you need to dimple the header you may be able to do it without hurting the coating. Use a piece of wood between the hammer and the header and you should be OK.

Andrew

[67rox]

less than 1/32" gap. If I dimpled the header it would have to run approx. 1 3/4 to 2" in length down the header tube and to that is just to big of a dimple for appearance sake.

[Vegas69]

You could run solid motor mounts and not worry about it. I have heard those energy mounts don't make much difference anyway.

[MrQuick]

If you have clearance then just do as Andrew suggested. I bought a delrin wedge to "shape" headrer tubes for clearence. Just put in between and hammer in till you get at least 3/16" gap. A piece of wood or even a piece of steel plate would work and the modification probably wouldn't stick out like a dimple would.

[skut5569]

Three more options:
Slightly grind the P/S housing. I'm sure that the wall thickness would allow at least a 1/16" to be removed in the local area.

You could also remove the motor mounts and slightly enlarge or elongate the holes to slightly shift the motor towards the passenger side.

Make and insert a shim or washers between the driver side mount and the (3) block holes. That would slightly raise the block and move it towards the passenger side.

I also think the torque deflection will move the engine towards the passenger side away from the steering housing. Just take it easy in reverse.

[67rox]

Thank you for all the advice, I will start massaging the headers.

[69ratfed]

I had the same problem. I have a 454 with a Flaming River PS box. My new 2'' super comps were going to hit the box. So we ground the corner of box. I have about the same clearnce maybe an 1/8 of an inch. Engine torques toward passenger side. No worries and no dings in my headers. I would massage the box and not the headers.

[JEFFTATE]

Hell , the headers on my smallblock even rubbed my power steering box.
Last time I had the engine out of the car , I massaged the corner of the box and made a gentle dimple in the header.

[67rox]

yea, I ground down on the power steering box and all is well.