Just wondering what kinda left side exhaust manifold or headers will work with stock steering the manifold that's on there now covers the dip stick hole any suggestion ??? Thanks
A lot depends on whether or not the engine is set back against the firewall. There are stiffener ribs on the firewall that are usually trimmed back to allow the engine to go back another two inches or so. In that case the stock Ram Horns will probably work. There are a few pickup manifolds that exit either at the rear or use the p***enger side on the drivers side and it points forward then down. It all depends on where the engine mounts are.
I am ***uming your talking car but I will share my tribulations on my 51 pickup with a SBC. I initially found a ram horn that fit but wanted some shiny aftermarkets to replace it. I ended up buying three different block huggers before I found one that would clear the steering box. Even that one needed alittle adjusting. I also moved the engine over a smidge.
I have heard that Sanderson makes headers for this swap. I have also used headman's 4 into 1 tight tuck headers with success. They are more compact than block huggers. You could probably use a 1980's rear dump manifold if you are able to bend the dipstick tube up and sandwich it between the manifold and head. Not the best solution, but I have seen it done many times.
They have several versions. I think I just got the "street rod" style when I did it. The website shows dimensions so you can use your tape measure before you commit. See Link: http://www.hedman.com/Tight-Tubes-Street-Rod-Hedders Here are the ones Sanderson Makes: http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Sanderson-CC50-Small-Block-Chevy-Header-Set.html But again, I have seen 1980's rear dump manifolds with the dipstick tube bent up to be sandwiched between the manifold and cylinder head. Not the best solution, but works. Just don't check your oil when the engine is hot.
Someplace I saw a picture of a car of this era with a SBC mocked up and it was all the way back against the firewall and it fit between the firewall braces without any cutting.
Mid-1990s Caprice/Roadmaster manifolds do the job. They come up so no pittman arm issues, they clean up to look fairly decent, and they're not too hard to find.
I had a new set of Sanderson CC-50 headers and when I mounted them on the engine the driver side collector was within 1/8" of the boss for the oil filter and aiming for the filter. I did not like what I seen. I could see putting alot of heat where you don't need it. I bought a set of imported SS block huggers, both sides exiting in the center of the block and perpendicular to the ground. Since I had decided to add rack and pinion steering to the stock front end and eliminate the stock steering box, the center dumps were a better idea in both looks and application. I have seen several 49-54 with 350's and cast iron mainifolds with stock steering, but I don't have any casting numbers or original application data for them.
We used 96 Caprice Cop Car exhaust manifolds. They have individual runners that go up and back, then down into the "collector". Depending on whether or not your heads have 6 or 7 bolt flanges, you may or may not need to drill an extra hole. Just remove the tin covers, and fill the AIR ports. The exhaust collector flanges are a metric size also. We used these on my nephews 51 Bus Coupe, and they look and sound good, and I'm sure they make more power than the "other" factory manifolds. The Sanderson headers are very short, and mismatched side-to-side, something that has got to affect power. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Rod an Custom did a chevy V8 into a 1953 many years ago. If you find those mags you will have all the info. Late eighties early nineties.
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