Has anyone had any experience with installing headers on a SBC in a 62 Lark with original steering and suspension? The passenger side looks to be doable using blockhuggers, but I wonder about the drivers side with the steering box, reach rod and pitman arm. Any suggestions? Thanks Ron
Hi Ron! Yes I did what you are asking about.I used Hooker "Super Comp" block hugger headers on my 400 ci Chevy. IIRC,the primary tube diameter is larger on the Super Competition series headers and have 2.5 inch collector cones,but thats OK in my case because with the supercharger,it really needs to breathe. The header part number I used is HKR 2001.The shape of the headers is the basic block hugger design.I used a set of 2.5 inch mandrel bent down tubes called " Hugger Toobs " for a small block Chevy.They are part # 038710010,purchased from Jegs. I then trimmed the height to fit the floor pan and aimed them toward the rear,and welded them to the collector cones.After bolting the drivers side collector to the header ,I ran the steering thru its travel and when it rested against the pipe,I marked the pipe and removed it from the header.Then I put the pipe in a vice and heated the marked area red hot. Using a 1/2 inch ratchet extention( for shape ) parallel to the pipe the way the reach rod crossed it, I dimpled the pipe inward by hammering the extention into the heated pipe. A piece of black iron pipe would work too if the same size as the reach rod. That provided all the clearance I needed.The reach rod barely touches the pipe on tight Right turns,but there has not ever been an issue in 8 years. I could have dimpled it a bit more,but I am happy with it the way it is.Hope this helps! BTW, I also used Percys dead soft alumium header gaskets and Stage 8 locking header bolts and havent had a header leak.I used soft copper collector gaskets for the same reason,but every once in awhile I do have to tighten the collector bolts,so I do that at oil change time. RICH
Not on a Lark but I put block hugger headers and true duals on my 78 Avanti II and it uses the same frame and steering as the 62, doesn't it?
I did have to trim a little off the ridged edge of the steering box mount. I've had two different brands of hugger headers on there and the current set needed more clearance than the previous set did, so I had to grind off just a little more.
This current set (chromed no-name brand from Ebay) has a bad tendency to burn out the collector gaskets so I recently installed a set of copper crushable gaskets...however, now it seems the header gasket to the heads is also leaking. Probably just from lack of use...and me futzing around with the collector gaskets about three times before I finally got that right!
Bob
R> Has anyone had any experience with installing headers on a SBC in a 62 Lark
Thanks. That was the info I was looking for. Now I have another project to get started on.
messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@storefull-3157.bay.webtv.net...
quoted text -- Show quoted text -
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.