header/steering clearance

[dynodave]

I just installed hedman shortie headers and the steering shaft almost hits the header on the bottom of the tube where it passes thru the header.I tried a new F150 shaft and it hits because the shaft is slightly bigger.The engine mounts are brand new so I know it will hit when the mounts get worn.The engine is set back as far as it will go.has anyone else run into this problem?TIA

[my454s10]

how much is almost....

[dynodave]

1/8\" or less with the original s10 shaft.I could increase the gap by moving the engine forward more but I don\'t really want to do that.Thanks

[my454s10]

you did\'t say what brand of mounts that they are but i think that they have 2 different mounting holes ...one set for a s10 truck and the other for a s10 blazer ..one set or the other makes the motor set up highe - lower...make sure that you have both side of the motor in the same hole....also is your motor level....maybe check you tranny mount ..a old or worn tranny mount will make a motor tilt back or down...other than that i dont know ...unless you have a slightly twisted frame....let us know and im sure that we can figure it out..

[dynodave]

stealth mount plates,both sides installed on lower holes per JTR\'s instructions for a 2WD P/U,new gm 2.8 mounts,new urethane trans mount with 1/2\" aluminum plate that lifts rear of trans more to get everything as close to level as possible,rear of trans is as high as it will go.I measured from the floor to the front corners of the cylinder heads to make sure the motor was level side to side but I\'ll have to measure from the frame tomorrow when I get back to the shop.maybe the drivers side mount is too low.How much clearance do you have between the steer shaft and the header?

[my454s10]

i am in the middle of putting a 427 big block in mine...but i had a 350 in there last year...i had a lot of room....my shaft whent trough the center and was about have way to either top or bottom....i even had long tubes on there at one point ...

[dynodave]

were you using hedman or sanderson headers?maybe the tubes are bent slightly different.Thanks

[my454s10]

i used hedmen headers...shortie design....when i first built the truck i used hooker long tubes and still had lot\'s of room

[td_iwhs]

I just got my truck and it had headers and mounts and exhaust already in it. My shaft runs right through the center of the headers, i dont have an engine in it yet so i dont really know if they are going to hit yet so i guess i will wait and see.

[rudedogg]

go to your local salvage yard:find an ASTRO VAN and remove the steering shaft take the upper shaft and put it in your factory lower shaft it provides ample clearence.........

[350-s-10]

you better get rid of that urithane tranny mount!!!!!!! if you really want to use it, just get the urithane motor mounts also cause if you dont, the motor will torque on the rubber mounts, and then the tranny will not torque with the urithane mount and the thing that is gonna give is the tranny case! i made this mistake when i first put my truck together..... it cost me like $600 to fix, needed a new case, not to mention getting the damn thing in and out!

[dynodave]

rudedogg:thanks for the tip.I\'ll check that out this weekend.I can always use another excuse to go snoop around the junkyard.



350-s-10: does anyone make urethane 2.8 engine mounts? I haven\'t been able to find any.maybe your making more torque than me or launching it hard.I\'ve had a urethane trans mount with stock engine mounts for 5 yrs. with no problems.my engine was pretty much stock and I never really raced the truck,I just pulled the engine out for a rebuild/upgrade.I did have a fullsize truck that cracked the trans case.the trans builder blamed it on an unbalanced driveshaft.I\'ve also seen loose bellhousing bolts crack the case......

[Koerbs]

This shows my clearance.



http://www.zr2.s10v8.com/images/exhaust/Drivheader1.jpg" BORDER="0

[350-s-10]

i dont know of any urithane motor mounts, but my tranny builder said that the best thing to do is to get the rubber mounts, the urithane he said, leads to things breaking and causes excess stress on the driveline cause there is nowhere for movement..... just my opinion, i would get rid of it and keep the rubber stock mount, it will run smoother too cause the motor wont jiggle the truck as much.......