...hooker headers of course . The car is a 1st Gen Fbody. The passenger side front header has maybe 2mm clearance (pic) to the upper A-arm. I'm using polyurethane mounts. Will the engine move enough during revving/acceleration to hit the A-arm?

 

.....

 

I think you are going to run into some issues.

 

from the pictures. I would say Yes, they might be too close for 1) as the engine move, it will contact in the direction (could use solid mounts) and 2) heat will transfer and make its way to the bushings and may fail after a while.

If you can get some more clearance and put a heat shield around the frame/suspension, that might be ok. but your still short on room.

 

I dented mine as well just for added clearence. I have about 3/8"-1/2" clearence now.

 

Try loosening the header and pushing it back then re-torque. That might buy you another mm or 2.

 

What frame mounts are you using as big block, small block and 6 cyl all position the motor a bit different in the engine bay.

 

FYI, if your using BBC frame mounts, they do offset the engine to the passenger side some, This was done to get the BBC engine enough room on the driver side and steering.

 

Do you have room/hood clearance to put a small plate between the motor and the mount? You know, maybe "shim" it a bit.....

As others have said I would use solid mounts and not look back.

 

Hows the underside look? headers clear the ground nicely or no go. I'm thinking about doing an LS1 in my 28 camaro this winter

 

It will self clearance after time.

j/k

I would address it

 

too funny!

The mounts are short/wide 350 mounts; the headers are maybe 1/2" lower than the frame at the their lowest point..not bad at all. That being said, I wouldn't go with hooker headers again. The quality is a bit cheesy (ie cheap bolts, had to dent a couple tubes to make fit)

 

I'm suprised you had so much toruble with your hooker headers. I dented my one primary ahead of time because i read i might have to so i went ahead and did it anyway although i dont think i would have needed to. I droped both in from the top of the engine, no troubles at all and still to this day even with the cheap bolts and gaskets i dont have any leaks.

 

I agree. The welds and overall quality of my hooker headers left something to be desired especially for what they cost. In my most recent cars I have used pacesetter and dynomax headers and the quality on them was great but when I took the hookers out of the box I almost sent them back. I didn't because at the time nobody else made the swap headers.

 

Hooker headers are 50/50 (1st gen camaro Part # 2288)1st set I received QUALITY was VERY POOR but since I had them did a test fit,clearance was good on both sides. Replacement set QUALITY VERY POOR fitment on this set VERY poor. hit p/s box / stater / and very close to controll arm. 3rd same as 2nd had to trim 1/4 off the controll arm end as it was very close same as posted pic and had use a hammer for steering box clearance. Next project I'll use another brand. HOOKER=

 

Well I took everyone's advice, pulled both sides off and beat them! So here's what things look like now....enough space?
It made me sick to pound 4 dents on three tube of these brand new headers
It's hard to see on the pic, but the driver side has about 1/4" clearance around the steering box now.
I still don't get how some folks using ATS style mounts are getting away without beating their tubes like I did

 

I'm using ATS-style plates (autokraft) with Hookers. I had to make 3 dimples on the left header for steering box and pitman clearance. Right side header I had about 1/8th inch clearance and didn't bother dimpling it.

 

Passenger side looks good, not sure about the tubes around the steering box. Would need a better angle.

To dimple the header. I would not directly hit on them, In the past, I have used a heavy hammer, but used a pipe or round steel rod, placed it where it is needed and then hit the rod/pipe. I made a cleaner dimple and didn't look as bad or I did any wild banging on the tube.

 

I used a couple strips of duct tape...kept the ceramic coating intact when beating on them

 

Fast400 + Rodder we all have the same HOOKER MOD LOL
For $650. this should'nt be