something has got to give

351w_swap said:

I have a '65 in the process of a heart transplant. The 351w being installed barely fits. I purchased heddman long tube headers and painted them (now unreturnable). They not only hit the shock towers but interfere with the steering in two places: the arm between the gear box and control valve, and the power steering cylinder. I have the tools to modify either the header or the steering. Which do I do? Has anyone had this problem?

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Were they specifically called swap headers?

Since the cost of headers is Sub $300 or so for this application, I would buy new correct fitting headers and sell the long tubes on ebay. You don't want to modify the steering. Modifying the headers isn't too hard. I had some small interference with my 351c in my 65 so I heated up the tubes that touched the towers with my map/oxy torch and then just bomked em with my hammer till they were out of the way......this would be very difficlut to use to change the course of the pipes to clear a steering linkage bar though.

the swap headers aren't longtubes, they're mid-length. They make the swap headers for a reason, if regular longtubes worked they wouldn't need to make a swap header. If you end up being stuck with the longtubes, you may want to try different motor mounts. I know there are several different types for 65-68, maybe one variety will allow the engine to sit differently, which may help out. Otherwise, sell the LT's and get the right set.