Hi, I just wanted to know how many Gen 1 owners have had problems with fit of Headers. I am in the process of rebuilding a 69 Conv, w/ 383, the owner wanted ceramic Hookers w/ 2 1/4 tubes. Right side fits perfectly, but the left fits horribly, rubbing on steering coupler and almost zero clearance next to gear box. Who's had similar problems?

 

are they made for the 69??? id get a hold of hooker and ask them about it maybe you got the wrong ones

 

I thought 2" primaries was the biggest Hooker had for the small block. Did you try to talk the guy out of making the mistake in thinking that bigger is better? Guess he's not too interested in low end torque. 1 5/8" and 1 7/8" tubes can sometimes get in the way, I think you're going to need to do some "dimpling" to the tubes.

 

I have contacted Hooker and got the standard answer, " That's the first we heard of this problem"

The tube size was recommended by the engine builder, he will be pushing over 500HP. Sorry to say I will have to remove these and dimple them to fit properly. The saga continues, I'll post pic's when I dimple them.

 

dont you love that

 

The two most common answers to customer's complaints: "We never heard of that problem before" and "They all do that".

 

 

Sorry for the size of photo I'll have to figure that one out.
here is Header after I had to dimple it....

 

Looks about right... I had to do the same thing. Not only that, but because I had raised port heads and taller motor mounts, my collectors hit my floor boards. My choice was either to custom fab a set of headers or take a rose bud and bend them down... I just happened to have a rose bud, and it was way cheaper than a custom set of headers.

Good luck and in all, good job! Welcome to the world of aftermarket parts lol!

 

The old set I removed from mine were dimpled exactly like that and from what I can tell the Brand New Hookers I bought will need to be Dimpled too. Makes no sense to me.... seems like the market is big enough for them to figure it out and make adjustments for it this problem.