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best way to drop hedders in an a body? #659038
04/02/10 03:02 PM
04/02/10 03:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855
ontario canada kingston
aspenrt360 Offline OP
super stock
aspenrt360  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855
ontario canada kingston
so what is the best way to drop a set of hedman headers into a 73 duster? ps. auto car with a 360 would prefer not to pull engine but i will if i have to! any good tips? thanks


2013 Chrysler 300 touring 1974 Dodge Charger SE. 360-727-8.75-3.23 sure grip 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: aspenrt360] #659039
04/02/10 03:31 PM
04/02/10 03:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,931
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Paul_Fancsali Offline
master
Paul_Fancsali  Offline
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Get a big Hammer you'll need it Be prepared mentally and physically as I have never had a easy time and headman are among the worst to install. They will hit everywhere just be warned but they will go in just a PIA. Do not put them in and lower engine ask me how I know

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: Paul_Fancsali] #659040
04/02/10 04:36 PM
04/02/10 04:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,697
Renton Wa
T
topfueldart Offline
master
topfueldart  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,697
Renton Wa
Install from the bottom is 100000 Times easier, once you get over knocking the tie rod end and pitman arm off. Set it on jackstands. Knock the ends loose. Swing the draglink to the passenger side. Loosen the motor mounts, jack it to one side, install one, jack it to the other, install the other. Set it down, your done. You will thank me later, they simply do not fit from the top. Been there, tried that, more than once.


11.48 @ 120 with a 1.80 60' 318, stock 1.88 heads, stock 904, Pump Gas, 13 lbs of boost.

9.94 @ 134, 318 on pump gas, 14 lbs w/ Eddies, transbrake 727, 3600 lbs, 3.54 gear and 28's.
Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: topfueldart] #659041
04/02/10 04:47 PM
04/02/10 04:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 456
Santa Barbara, CA
HitIt Offline
mopar
HitIt  Offline
mopar

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 456
Santa Barbara, CA
I know it could be totally different than an A Body, but my hedmans slipped perfectly into place on my 64 B Body with a 440...no hammer needed at all.

Slipped them into place while lowering the motor in. Couldn't have been easier or fit better.

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: HitIt] #659042
04/02/10 06:04 PM
04/02/10 06:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,106
Ridgeland Wi
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mopars_1 Offline
master
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,106
Ridgeland Wi
I did it once, and Ill never be doing it again, I can tell you that much. I had the whole motor, k member and steering components bolted together outside the car and put headers on like that and then lowered the car onto everything. even like that I had a helluva time...


1971 Plymouth Duster 340 auto
1937 Plymouth PT50
1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 4 speed
2013 Ram laramie 2500 hemi
2008 Harley FLSTSB springer
Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: mopars_1] #659043
04/02/10 06:31 PM
04/02/10 06:31 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY Offline
Truck Nut
340SHORTY  Offline
Truck Nut

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
most people read the instructions... thats why they are supplied in the box.


I am truckless..
Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: aspenrt360] #659044
04/02/10 07:28 PM
04/02/10 07:28 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
dustergirl340 Offline
Chicken Little
dustergirl340  Offline
Chicken Little

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
Get a case of beer, you're gonna need it.

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: dustergirl340] #659045
04/02/10 07:54 PM
04/02/10 07:54 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,578
sweden
1
1Fast340 Offline
master
1Fast340  Offline
master
1

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,578
sweden
building my own headers right now, much easier to install than anything i have bought before but it eats time to build them so i gues its not realy timesaving after all..
all these smallblock headers for abodys are meant to be installed from the bottom, most of the time you have to either lift the engine from both mounts or just tilt it over while installing, and uninstal the steering centerlink

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: 1Fast340] #659046
04/02/10 09:30 PM
04/02/10 09:30 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
If you drop the k-frame with the motor, you can fit the headers on out in the open. It's a lot easier to clearance for things like steering box, starter, etc like that. Then when reinstalling the K/engine/trans, you will just have to clearance for areas where the headers interfere with the body, which is usually pretty minimal.

If you don't like that idea, then lift the motor(but don't remove it or unbolt it from the trans) and slip the headers in from the bottom. It will likely take a few test-fit attempts as you start to lower it down and find out the hard way where the headers interfere.

I installed a set of cheapie summit headers(reboxed headmans) into my 440/74 satellite. They dropped right in and fit great, only had to hammer 3 spots and I installed them from the bottom. But I would expect a tighter a-body to be a bit more difficult.

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #659047
04/02/10 09:54 PM
04/02/10 09:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace Offline
I Live Here
RodStRace  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
Motor jacked up, steering box fed in from above, header from below!

Never again! Sold the car, won't do another A Body.....

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: RodStRace] #659048
04/02/10 10:57 PM
04/02/10 10:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles Offline
master
DrCharles  Offline
master

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
Quote:

Motor jacked up, steering box fed in from above, header from below!




What's the best sequence for my Hedman B-body set (78030) into my 451 A-body?

I am using a motor plate so I can't easily lower the car onto the engine.

Quote:

Never again! Sold the car, won't do another A Body.....




Big engine + light car = go fast... worth the aggravation when you are

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #659049
04/02/10 11:23 PM
04/02/10 11:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459
oklahoma
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forphorty Offline
pro stock
forphorty  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,459
oklahoma




I installed a set of cheapie summit headers(reboxed headmans) into my 440/74 satellite. They dropped right in and fit great, only had to hammer 3 spots and I installed them from the bottom. But I would expect a tighter a-body to be a bit more difficult.


Hedman header installation on an A motored A body is a real pain. I've had B bodies with Cyclones, Hedmans and Hookers with both B and RBs. No comparison to the misery i endured installing a set of Hedmans on my 318 duster

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: forphorty] #659050
04/03/10 12:06 AM
04/03/10 12:06 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,590
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
Rhinotruck
Rhinodart  Offline
Rhinotruck

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,590
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Those who have not done an A-Body small block have no clue! There is no easy way, from the bottom with the starter loose is one way, depends on what options you have like power steering and such.


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: aspenrt360] #659051
04/03/10 06:06 AM
04/03/10 06:06 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 203
florida
7
74fldart Offline
enthusiast
74fldart  Offline
enthusiast
7

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 203
florida
i put headman b and e body headers in a 74 dart on a 383 and what a fight it was. i ended up moving the pass. side torsion bar back but not all the way out and then the motor dropped down into position.i would reccommend moving both t bars back and as others said drop the center link, and the pass. side required a ding where the idler arm hit but the drivers side is another story . i had to ding the 2 tubes near the steering box (power steering) and the no. 7 tube where the coupler hit. it can work but it wont look nice from the top. then again you can rework them a little yourself if you can cut and weld. i bought a $50.00 swap meet set so i didnt mind too much beating on them. also i had the motor half way out to get them in.

Re: best way to drop hedders in an a body? [Re: 340SHORTY] #659052
04/03/10 09:12 AM
04/03/10 09:12 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855
ontario canada kingston
aspenrt360 Offline OP
super stock
aspenrt360  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855
ontario canada kingston
Quote:

most people read the instructions... thats why they are supplied in the box.


well wise #### i read the instructions they are of no use at all, i am at the point where i have dented the crap out of them for clearance and have the steering links off. i will be going in from the bottom, but damm these are a pain! i have installed them on b and f bodys before but they do not fit well on a bodys at all!


2013 Chrysler 300 touring 1974 Dodge Charger SE. 360-727-8.75-3.23 sure grip 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4






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