need help with exhaust in a shoebox with a sbc

So I been helping out a buddy of mine who is building a Shoebox ford.... his front suspension is all original ford stock and he has installed a SBC for motorvation.... but we have run into an issue with finding a header or even a exhaust manifold that will clear the stock ford steering box...... Anyone else out there with shoeboxs with SBC's ?? What did you guys do to get past this obstacle ??

 

I used ram horn manifolds, dumped straight down between cross member and steering gear. Exhaust pipe is tight but can be done

 

thanks man.... he ordered a mid 90's drivers side chevy pickup manifold.... it exits in th rear...> Guess we are gonna try that and see if it will work

 

I recently finished a O/T '89 Mustang with Chevy 400 and tried just about every manifold combination imaginable.

Try the pickup drivers side manifold on the passenger side and the outlet dumps down behind the fuel pump. The driver side manifold from a Chevy van curves in toward the block and exits down by the oil filter.

If you use the passenger side manifold that exits at the rear on the drivers side, it will exit out the front very similar to how the stock Flathead did. Don't get hung up on the drivers side has to be a drivers side and vice versa, flop them around.

 

You do know that headers for that O/T swap are very common as is the swap itself.

 

When I built my '49 Coupe I mocked everything up using center dump block hugger headers and then made my own engine and trans mounts to suit. I didnt want to end up in the same predicament you guys are in now.
If he used a kit for engine mounts, I would contact the manufacturer and see if they have any suggestions.

 

Sanderson headers ... Block huggers center dump worked for me. Sku # cc134-p

 

I thought that with a Chevy motor that everything was easy and faster, and better, and even more better.

 

How about this for EZ? See Pix post #5 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585228

 

I've got a 51 with a sbc installed. Just put in a new set of headers from Sanderson. I put in the block huggers that are built for a sbc in a shoebox. I've got power steering installed but I don't think the linkage for the stock set up is too much difference space wise. The headers will fit in tight but it can happen just tke your time. Biggest problem is hooking up your exhaust pipes to the collectors, Sanderson makes these for this install. I ran 2 1/2 in. pipes so getting them to fit is tricky. Also had to install a mini starter for pipe clearance. Once it was done they look great,work great, and sound great. Good luck. Fire up the welder.

 

just installed a SBC in my dads 50 coupe this weekend used center dump block hugger headers from Patriot. He is running all original steering & suspension.. From the motor mount conversion package we used it suggested that block huggers should be used

 

Speedway unpolished stainless ramhorns for me and worked real good.