I'm running a 327 in my 51 Chevy 3100. I have already spaced the steering box about as far over as I can get it, but it only clears the exhaust manifold by a a tiny fraction of an inch. I may be able to move it over a little more, but think 1/4" would be about it. I am running 2" rams horn manifolds right now, but know they have to be choking the hell out of my engine that did 434hp on the dyno with open headers. So I'm wondering if the 2.5" Corvette style rams horns stick out any more or if that extra diameter is tucked under the sides of the block more? Also, the Tru-Ram manifolds look great, but not sure if they stick out any further down where the outlet is located. Thanks for any help!
Where is the clearance issue? If down low by the collector, you could have the mounting face angle milled, so that the bottom/collector end will tip in towards the engine. You would also have to ream or drill the bolt holes at a similar angle to enable you to bolt up the manifold.
This isn't a pic of my truck, but the same kind of manifold and steering box. The arrows show where the clearance is worst. The manifold actually has a little spot worn on it there from the motor tweaking over onto the steering box when I goose it. The spot that is making contact is a bolt on the steering box.
This above or face the manifold in a mill You could try shimming up the engine mount on one side only to tilt the engine away a little more. Washers are a cheap way for trial and error
http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483312&highlight=fenton These might solve two problems
I like that idea on shimming the motor mounts. Never thought of that before. Don't think I will have room to do it with the clearance of the bell housing to the floor pan though. Thanks for a good idea.
Those are absolutely gorgeous. I want some now, but from researching just a little, it looks like they only made a very limited run and they are all gone. Would make it so much easier to get to plug #5 too! ...I did find some on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fenton-SBC-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2c0d29db&vxp=mtr Doesn't say anything about being from Patricks (the place that apparently made the nice run of repops). Anyone know anything about these ones? Quality?
OK, so I talked to Patrick's today and they still have some of the Fenton style manifolds, but they won't work with my side engine mounts. Dangit! I wanted those things, but that sounds like a lot of hassle. Still might consider changing it over it if I wind up rebuilding my engine soon, but otherwise don't see myself doing all of that. Any input at all on the Corvette manifolds vs the regular 2" outlet ones?
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