Why Headers Suck

[@JustMoparJoe]

This will be the most helpful 30 days on KZbin! Keep it up brother

[@DustorBust]

You are too kind Joe, much appreciated buddy!! 👍

[@GearHeadCat]

That's why I'm going with Borgeson Aftermarket P/S with my duster. Their gearboxes are smaller. I've been using a manual gearbox in mine for the past 8 years. But since I'm doing the restomod daily driver route and make it more drivable for my wife, plus with much wider front tires this route works better for me.

[@DustorBust]

Yep, the Borgeson ones are super nice, just a bit expensive. Good Luck!!

[@GearHeadCat]

@@DustorBust I agree. To be fair I did luck out. The one I got was a pre-owned unboxed but never installed one from someone at FABO, got it for about $150 less than a new one 2 years ago. I just got lucky I guess.

[@DuddiesAdventure]

Dang, I feel your pain. A-Body's are really tight to work on. Heck Im fighting stuff and I don't even have a engine in mine! Keep At it , Youll get it!

[@DustorBust]

Hey Duddie, Good to hear from you. Thanks for the support!! Looking forward to seeing your Dart at NNN.

[@ninjapumkin]

We just did this on my buddies 72 dart. He was struggling to pull it out till I said there is an easy way. Pull the bolt for the drivers motor mount. Lift engine with a short 2 x 4 under pan with floor jack. Gave us enough room to pull out and rebuild and put back in. Headers stayed on.

[@DustorBust]

Great idea Ninjapumkin, Marion brought this up yesterday and I think I was a little too in it and lost track of this idea. We will give this a shot. Thanks buddy!

[@billriggle2392]

I’ve done it a hundred times. Just like Ninjapumkin said, but first, assemble all of your steering linkage (except for the linkage that goes through the header tubes) and power steering unit. It’s ok if it’s all loose, but have it in place. Lift the driver’s side of the engine and the headers, with a little twisting, should slide right in place. Before the headers are bolted into place, slide the starter (a mini starter helps a lot) in and bolt it in and connect the wiring. You’re all set, just tighten everything up.

[@docfischer7291]

I didn’t think I would ever see another set of those Pro/Stock valve covers again ! I picked up a pair a long while ago. Did some research and found out they were actually sold through the large department store called J.C. Penny’s , came out of their catalogs. Took a lot of time cleaning them and had a set of 3/8” spacers made so they would clear the valve train. The VCs are on a 511 right now sitting in NJ. Going in a Duster as well. Good luck guys . Keep it rolling !

[@desertmopars3336]

Marcos, you're grinding it out brother, just breathe... you're doing this!! We'll be right here cheering you on my friend!!

[@DustorBust]

Thanks Derek! Much appreciated Sir! It'll get there. 😃

[@ciscoguru69]

Headers for Dusters and Darts is always a bear. I have a built 318 ready to put in my 74 but watching this, I may just turbo a slant 6...lol.

[@DustorBust]

😂😂 It is a pain for sure. Hopefully it is worth it. From what I have heard it is fine as long as you plan it out right. Thanks for the comment!

[@billriggle2392]

I know you’ve already gotten everything taken care by now, but if you ever have to do it again, assemble everything except the headers, leaving the headers for last. Loosen the engine and transmission mounts and lift the them up together about five or six inches. Slip the headers down, from the top, into place while lowering the engine back down. The driver’s side header is never easy, but isn’t horrible once you get the procedure down.

[@DustorBust]

Thanks Bill, hopefully I don't have to do it again soon, but sooner or later. Thanks for taking the time to write out the way you do it. Makes sense. I'll keep this in mind. Thanks!! 👍

[@cod8140]

Cars lookin great man!

[@DustorBust]

Hey Chris! Been a while. Thanks! I saw on Facebook you had an electrical fire, maybe on a Traildusters if I recall. That really sucks dude. Was sorry to hear about that. At least nobody got hurt. Hope you are doing well! Thanks for the comment!

[@cod8140]

@@DustorBust yeah man heart breaking loosing the Ram Charger.! I’m hunting for another!

[@DustorBust]

@@cod8140 at some point down the road I want to get one of the pop top Traildusters. Awesome vehicles! Good lucking a replacement Ramcharger.

[@ahoneyman]

I'm a shorty header guy for street builds. It's about comfort and fun on those. If it's an SBC build it's getting ram horns. They flow okay and look good.

[@DustorBust]

Hello ahoneyman, thanks for checking out the channel! I am not familiar with SBC ramhorns, I will have to look into it. Sounds cool though!

[@mrkwllms340]

Ninja pumpkin has the right idea. Have you considered a manual gearbox? I put a firm feel on and love the a.) feel of a manual, b.) the room that is freed up once the stupid power steering gearbox and reservoir/pump are gone. My brother did the same thing on his 68 dart and neither of us miss the “joys” of power steering.

[@DustorBust]

Hi mrkwllms340, thanks for sharing! Hmmmm, interesting points. I honestly don't think I have driven a car with manual steering. Manual gets a bad wrap, but not having done it first hand I am intrigued. It is too late to change plans on this one, but I will see if I can get the opportunity to drive something manual and keep this option in mind for the next project.

[@mrkwllms340]

@@DustorBust actually, manual gearbox’s are not expensive, and you usually get a core trade in. Firm feels are pricy, but they use the stock housing. Although they are nice, a rebuilt GB from a good vendor should more than suffice. Just food for thought. However, if you size them against what you have you may find the job easier.

[@acardiac5983]

I got the shorty headers from TTI. haven’t put my 360 in yet, hopefully I won’t have this problem. I also have the smaller manual steering box from Flaming River.

[@DustorBust]

Hi Acardiac, nah I think the shorty's should be much easier. We will get it today!

[@55desotomine]

I've put plenty of headers on A body LA engine cars that were complete running cars without difficulty. Raise the driver's side of the engine a little and slide it in. Make sure the starter wires are away from the header. I've also put B engine headers on an A body. Not that hard. Use some kind of sealant on the replacement stud in the head, it goes into a water jacket.

[@DustorBust]

Yes, that is where we are headed, seems to be the common suggestion for making it fit, thank you for the recommendation! I have been using aviation form-a-gasket for most of my water jacket applications. Will default to that, holler if you have a different reco. Thanks!

[@moparneon00]

I have the same issue right now. I'm thinking shorties will work

[@ajaxracing]

When I put the V8 in my 53 Buick I put the engine and transmission in mounted the headers then made the motor mounts

[@DustorBust]

Hi Ajax, thanks for checking out the channel!! Yes, I think freeing it up from the motor mount is going to be the way to go. Thanks for the tip!👍

[@moparnut6286]

Man when I saw the thumbnail I had to laugh... Breaking the stud WOW I would have lost it right there! Yeah the make slimmer steering gears but big money...manual box would help and free up a little HP but nice your doing this that way when my dart gets headers I'll remember your suffering!!

[@DustorBust]

Haha, yeah it was a mess. Manual is appealing, but to make it a good driver I decided to keep the power steering. Hopefully yours goes better than mine!!

[@daledoll2321]

Just jack up the motor about 2 inch your be able to get the header in

[@DustorBust]

We will try this today. Thanks!

[@mikedimaio1237]

uhhhggg.... the steering box should have been bolted to the K-frame before the headers, before installing it into the car. I would use a helicoil as a last resort, I believe those bolts go into the water jacket and they are a PIA to get the bolts to not leak normally, with a helicoil, you more than double the chances of a leak. Plan-A would be to measure with a stiff wire how deep in the hole until it hits the other side of the head so you know how much room you have to work with. (if you have a caliper, open it up, the wire that sticks out the end can be used as a depth gauge), run a bolt tap carefully so it doesn't cross thread and try cleaning up threads, make sure you don't hit the other side, you can crack the head. Stack some washers on the bolt and see if you can get a good torque on it, if not, Plan-B would would be to tap it with a 5/16-24 fine thread OR a metric M8x1, either or you will not need to drill it out first, if you don't think it is going in square, back it out and try again, patients pays off here. I am not proud of it, but I have used JB weld as my thread sealant in extreme cases. You will need to remove the torsion bar and motor mount bolt to jack the engine up. Watching your videos is a love/hate relationship, I love seeing new people getting into the hobby but I hate watching someone make the same mistakes I have made. Good luck and don't make the deadline the goal, shooting for it is great but never forget the saying, "how come there is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over".

[@DustorBust]

Hey Mike!! I love and hate your comments because so far I think you have been right about everything 🤣🤣. I didn't know the helicoil would be more likely to leak. Thank you for the tip. The threads are a little too damaged and need some work. I did run the tap through it to clean it out and get to where I am. I like the idea of the fine thread tap, I will take a look at that option. I also have a tap to go up to a 3/8 bolt, which should clear fine. I was going to do the helicoil so that I would maintain uniform bolt thread across the head, but if I have to choose between that or increased leak risk, then I would rather change thread. This car will be done until it is right, unfortunately I have learned many things the hard way on this project. Steering gear not being on the K frame before mounting, that is one mistake I will never make again😂. Thanks for following the build and the tips Mike, I always appreciate your wisdom Sir!!

[@mikedimaio1237]

@@DustorBust Tapping it to a 3/8-16 would work if you have the room, the hex head on it will probably hit the header tube, a socket head may clear, you will have drill out the header flange also, check your clearances first and welcome to working on A-body's, we have all been there.

[@czarekaj1098]

Just an average problem on a MOPAR

[@DustorBust]

Thanks what I am hearing. 😂 Thanks for the comment!!

[@Alexander-nb1rz]

That's why I box cut my k frame and got rid of my steering box center link motor mounts and use rack and pinion I use a motor plate makes life easier

[@duncanmacrae6384]

Headers on mopars, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and BB Fords. All for masochists only. Best of luck with this cool project.

[@DustorBust]

Hi Duncan, thanks for the comment! Some days it feels like all car work is for masochists 😂. Thanks for the support!

[@larryhutchens7593]

Hate to give you some bad info but I could never locate a set of headers that would fit an A body with power steering. That was a few years ago so perhaps something new has come along since then. The power steering unit is too large.

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

Absolute nightmare

[@JonnyMopar]

Damn.

[@DustorBust]

🤣👍

[@55desotomine]

Don't switch to a manual steering box, it will have more turns lock to lock giving you "slow" steering.

[@DustorBust]

Hi TobyC, thanks for watching! Keeping the power steering for sure, this is intended to be a driver. I would like for my wife to be able to drive it, and no way she is touching it without power steering. 😂

[@NathansMoparGarage]

I did that once and that was enough for me. The ground clearance wasn't very good either.

[@DustorBust]

🤣 yeah it sucked. Hopefully with an extra set of hands I can get it in and move forward tomorrow. Thanks for watching!!

[@BlownBudgetGarage]

This is why when I replaced my steering gear box I just pulled the whole engine again lol it sucks bud

[@DustorBust]

Sucks, sorry to hear you had to pull yours. I'm out of date on a bunch of channels. Good luck getting it back on track!

[@Brianscoronet]

Shit can the power steering and replace with manual steering, more room without ps. Im a mopar guy fir over 50 years, unfortunately chevys are easy to put headers on, big and small block

[@DustorBust]

Hey Brian, thanks for watching! So this was like 2 years ago, and if I could do it all over again(which I might 😂) I would go that route. The power steering has been a PITA. Fit issues, leaks, etc.

[@bryontharp5790]

anything but yellow

[@DustorBust]

😂😂 Agree, that would be terrible!

[@rickyteague447]

Go manual steering

[@DustorBust]

This will be a cruiser, so I wanted to keep it. Would have been much simpler to go manual though. Thanks for the comment!

[@moparsnguitars6034]

This Suck 🎸🎸🎸🐱👹🐱

[@DustorBust]

😂🤘🎸

[@mr.k2200]

Looks like you bought some cheap ass headers, basic design from like 45 years ago lol