Hey guys, Do any of you have any pics or suggestions on how to route the steering linkage on this old coupe? I'm using the original front suspension with a 350/350 combo. The stock exhaust is not giving me enough room to get to the steering box without going in between the exhaust manifold and the engine. And if I do that the mount to stabilize the 500 u-joints would have to look pretty crummy....I know they did this conversion back in the day without subframes and M11's. Is feel the answer is in the choice of exhaust manifolds. But should I go with ram horns, headers, or even zoomies? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My dads 48 coupe is using a MII with an 4.8 vortec. He had to use block hugger headers with the steering linkage made to go thur the motor mounts. This works but the universal is very close to the header. I hope heat does not become an issue. My 47 coupe is the 350/350 setup with a MII also. I also bought block hugger headers but there seems to be even less room for linkage. I would also like to see what others have used for headers. If you want to see pictures let me know even though our setups don't use the stock cross member.
Dude i used the 2" rams horns in my 47 coupe that i fitted with a 283 & T350. A little fabbed bend around rhe steering box was all i needed to allow the exhaust to clear with no problems. Hope this helps. Rat
The first two are of my dads. The last two are of my setup which looks like the headers might still not work. Hope others can post some pictures also.
My old '41 is close to the same. I have the old chevy steering set up in it, with a tilt wheel. (15 min. conversion) the V-8 swap was easy like the general wanted a V-8 in the old chevy. The only TIGHT spot is the exaust/ steering shaft. I used a ram horn with turn under and back of the outlet. it curles around the steering shaft. BUT ITS TIGHT (it also has bolt holes on the front of it)
Stock steering also? This is 39 but is basically the same, a lot depends on where motor is mounted though. Mine set a little farther ahead than some to allow the use of the stock pedals. (Damn, I've let this thing set way too long, didn't realize how gross it is getting!)
Thanks for the pics guys! looks like ram horns will be in my future! I'll try to post a pic of the side view tomorrow.
The trick I learned a long time ago . . . move the engine to the right alittle, makes everything alot easier !
The Jalopy Journal
