steering rod clearance issue

[vroomzoomboom]

wasnt sure where to post this as i couldnt find a big block forum. i have a 81 capri that i have put a 429 big block into. i just got a AJE racing k member, with BB mounts. i am also running hooker headers as well (not impressed with them either). the car is a shell at the moment, so i can pretty well change/cut anything that is needed. when i ordered the k member, AJE warned me about clearance problems with these headers (firewall, and steering shaft). i know or doubt most of you have run this combo, but i am sure most of you have ran into steering shaft issues. aside from smashing the crap out of the headers, what companies can i go to about getting a different steering shaft, or modify the stock one so it will not hit anything?
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[91dawg]

hey

I don't have an answer for ya, but had 80 capri's so would love to see how your build comes out... thanks Dave

 

[86turbo]

let me tell you my experience with aje. I bought one of their k members to use on my 85 coupe. How the positioned the steering rack made it impossible for connect up the steering shaft (column to rag joint) I called them and they gave me bs how it must be my car and how they have installed 100's and yada yada. Doesnt make sense because I had no issues with stock member and same steering shaft,. Aje locates the rack on tabs that sit below the rack so itr not only drops the rack but makes the required length longer. Only thing I changed was k member and the steering shaft was prob 2.5 inches too short...

Ok so here's what I did. I ended up buying the max motor expandable shaft and even that was too short!!! I had to physically lengthen that to get everything to work. As I understand it, some in the tubes in a big block header (for fox) actually go around the steering column. I check and see if the length works without the engine in there and if it doesn't you;ll need a new shaft anyway. I'm pretty sure summit sells just the u joints and a length of tube so you can make your own custom length...

good luck man

Drew