Torsion bar and header clearance

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    Author Topic: Torsion bar and header clearance  (Read 5388 times)

    Offline jordan

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    Torsion bar and header clearance
    « on: September 17, 2013 - 12:23:27 AM »
    I just put in one of my XV Level 1 torsion bars.  First off, I forgot my dust seal.  Bummer.  Next, on the drivers side, the torsion bar hits my TTI header enough that it wont fit into the LCA!  I have the rear part of the Tbar engaged into the mount, and the front isnt touching the LCA yet.  I cant back it out!!  Do I do the pry on the LCA trick, or should I just get a Tbar removal tool, and remove both of them so I can put the seal on the pass side, and then dimple the header on the drivers side?  It looks like I need to dimple the header about a 1/4".  Is that alot to dent the header?  Should it have fit in the first place or is the large diameter of the headers and t-bar to blame?  Man is it hard to make it all go together smoothly.  I was hoping it would just fall together.  Pipe dreams. 
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    Offline ToxicWolf

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #1 on: September 17, 2013 - 12:34:38 AM »
    That'the main reason I decided to go with stock manifolds. Do you by any chance have a fast ratio Pitman?
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    Offline jordan

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #2 on: September 17, 2013 - 07:14:56 AM »
    Im setting my car up pro touring.  It has a stroker 6bbl with big valves and port work.  I think headers will help power better than manifolds.  Large T-bars are a must.  But I still need them to work together.  Now if I can only get them out again. 
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    Offline brads70

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #3 on: September 17, 2013 - 07:51:41 AM »
    I had to " clear" my headman headers to clear the torsion bar, starter, and power steering. Seems to be the norm with a BB
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    Brad
    1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
    Barrie,Ontario,Canada
    Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

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    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
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    Offline HP2

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #4 on: September 17, 2013 - 09:12:56 AM »
    ...or see if you need to shim the steering box and/or shim the motor mounts.

    No,  a 1/4 dimple in the primary tubes isn't a big power killer, but if you can avoid it my shimming things, I'd give that a shot before hammering on a $800 set of headers.
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    Offline ToxicWolf

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #5 on: September 17, 2013 - 10:21:41 AM »
    The reason I asked about the Pitman arm is I noticed that when I ordered the Quick ratio Idler and Pitman arm kit from Hotchkis to go with the new T-bar I saw this:

    Note: May not clear aftermarket headers.

    This is why I think HP2 may be right. I have a problem with bumpsteer and getting the drivers side to fit together properly. Thanks to Brad’s help, I am currently shimming the steering box and checking the motor mounts to try and create more clearance. If that doesn’t work …  :pullinghair:
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    Offline 67vertman

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #6 on: September 17, 2013 - 10:57:50 AM »
    Did you have your K-Frame out recently?  When I put my motor in with TTI headers and new  1.0 torsion bars they hit the headers as well.  I loosed-up the k-frame bolts and was able to move the engine over for clearance, still close but I didn’t have to dimple my new headers.
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    Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

    I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

    First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

    Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

    Offline HP_Cuda

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #7 on: September 18, 2013 - 02:29:55 AM »

    Are you guys shimming the power steering gearbox sideways?

    I lucked out and only had to bang my number 2 tube to clear the power steering gearbox and the torsion bars clear nicely.

    Ya win some, ya lose some..... :aarg:
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    Offline brads70

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #8 on: September 18, 2013 - 07:25:31 AM »
    FYI.... Firmfeel has a list of headers that do and do not fit with fast ratio arms.....
    http://www.firmfeel.com/fastrati_e.htm
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    Brad
    1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
    Barrie,Ontario,Canada
    Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

    My restoration thread 
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
     My handling upgrade post
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

    Offline 73EStroker

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #9 on: September 18, 2013 - 02:07:11 PM »
    Funny - my TTIs with B Block engine would support torsion bars about 3" diameter (not available of course). Don't know why yours are so close. Now I am running Indy EZ heads and don't know if the exhaust face on these heads change the angle headers sit at which could/would increase clearance. My header to steering box clearance is good too . What heads are you using? You might have to plane and alter the angle of the exhaust face on the heads to solve the issue if it can be done safely.
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    Barry (Salmon Arm)

    Offline ToxicWolf

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #10 on: September 18, 2013 - 02:52:11 PM »
    Quote from: HP_Cuda on September 18, 2013 - 02:29:55 AM
    Are you guys shimming the power steering gearbox sideways?

    It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I wanted my Pitman to move lower so I just put shims under the top of the bracket so the steering box and Pitman would move down.
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    Offline HP_Cuda

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #11 on: September 18, 2013 - 03:26:43 PM »

    Check out the number 2 tube coming down and hitting the power steering gear box.

    You can see how the top part of the flange is not flush with the head.
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    Offline ToxicWolf

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #12 on: September 18, 2013 - 03:32:23 PM »
    Check out the drawing Brad put up for me here. I don't know if it will work for you.

    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=95187.msg935663#msg935663
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    Offline HP_Cuda

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #13 on: September 18, 2013 - 03:54:24 PM »
    This does not address my problem unless you can move the box outward.
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    Offline jordan

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    Re: Torsion bar and header clearance
    « Reply #14 on: September 18, 2013 - 05:11:50 PM »
    I don't have any problems with the steering box or pitman arms. Just the t-bar to header. I'm going to try to loosen the k-frame and push it over towards the pass side. If it doesn't work, I think it would be way easier to dimple the header than machine the head. Does anybody have a tool to back the t-bar out now that I have hammered them most of the way in? 
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