So last year i sold my 418" stroker small block to a racer in Saskatoon. It had the Eddy magnum heads and i have built and installed the 360" small block,fired it up and broke it in,but i was never comfortable with how little clearance the Drivers side #1 cylinder header pipe had as it was way too close for to the high pressure power steering hose that came right out of the box. I knew i could bend and reshape the hose,but i chose the latter. I measured it and ordered some 45 degree bends and a 90 degree with 1 foot on either side. I cut the #1 pipe right below the swept part coming off the head to just where you could get the stainless welding wire to make it around the pipe. In the picture you will see in RED where i cut it. Then i spliced in Two - 45degree pieces and another part of a 90 degree part as it was just over 55-60 degrees. All total of this mod was about $20 as the pieces i got off E-bay. I just welded the piece up today and i'll have those pics tomorrow with the welds and then after i install the header wrap. Then by the weekend i should have them on the car with more to follow.
Also these headers were designed for a 99' and up Dakota with the 5.9 magnum,but they will fit and seal well with the LA small block. The Pass side fits awesome with lots of clearance and the drivers side only issue is with the minimal clearance of the steering box. The other thing on these headers is the outlet. They have what they call a Ball Collector which even the stock manifolds have and they tend to leak,so i cut mine off and ground them smooth so the can weld a solid flange on with a gasket as the stock ones do not have a gasket. Once i get this done then i'll bring it to my performance exhaust shop and they can modify this for my 2 3/4" pipe. I'll be posting more info and pics. I know this is the only solution on how to install headers on a small block fusey. I had stock 1970 340 manifolds on there before and they fit like a glove,but finding a set now is upwards of $500 so this is the cheaper solution. I don't think these would make much more hp than the 340 manifolds,because these are only a shorty style,but they will make more than the 318/360 log manifolds. I'll have more info to follow in the next few days for those who have small blocks who are looking for a little more cheap power.
If so, I would like to buy those ball flanges you cut off...
Sorry Ross,i chucked them yesterday and they are gone. Yes they are stainless headers and they turn colors after they are heated a few cycles and loose that luster. Here's some pictures after i cut and spliced the 3 pieces together. A muffler shop would have charged me a fortune to bend and fit this small piece so i decided to do it this way. I ran some water through the welded piece and no leaks.
You can see how the pipe will snake around the Pressure line and further away from the seals that sit under it. After i wrapped the pipe i gave it some thought and i will double wrap it tomorrow to hold even more heat away from that area. When i get under the car this weekend i will also move the trans lines a little to make sure there is not a chance that they will see excessive heat also in that area. Most headers have problems being to close to the starter and in no time at all the starter fries. The mini-starter seems to hold up to heat more than the older ones,and man....does this thing kick over the 10.5 to 1 engine over with no problems at all.
So here's an update on the magnum stainless headers on an L/A small block in a C body and this is the only mod you would have to do in order to make it work on your car. Too bad no one made headers specific to the C's and small blocks so i had to do it myself. From the pics you can see that it clears the valve good and i am comfortable with this now. I can just get a wrench between the box and pipe so good to go there.