BB in early A-body
#1943395
11/02/15 12:40 AM
11/02/15 12:40 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 685 pennsylvania
poboyengineering
OP
mopar
|
OP
mopar
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 685
pennsylvania
|
I just got a call from a friend who is wanting to build one of his late father's cars, a 65 Valiant. The plan is for a low deck BB and a 6 speed. What are his header options? He is willing to use fenderwells if absolutely necessary.
It may be ugly, but it sure is slow.
Girls comb their hair in rear view mirrors and the boys try to look so hard....
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: poboyengineering]
#1943448
11/02/15 02:50 AM
11/02/15 02:50 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,742 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
|
I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,742
Bend,OR USA
|
Probally custom made only now At one time(a long, long time ago 1970/71)Hooker made some small tube chassis headers for that applicatiion, diffently not a race header If he is going to use a stock front suspension with the torsion bars he will find out that the BB in the pre 1967 A bodys is a real chore I am building a 1965 Dart 270 two door hartop back half race car with the torsion bars removed and a A arm front suspension from CAP, it will have a set fo custom made race headers, probally 2.0 to 2 1/8 or 2 1/8 to 2 1/4 with four inch collectors for a big C.I. race motor with a set of B1-MC heads on a race Koleno wedge block I bought a bunch of the headers parts I'm going to use from Hedaman, one of thier 2.0, one 2 1/8 and one set of the 2 1/4 prebent mandrel bends and collectors and flanges for my car, that should make it easier on the guy who will make my headers for my car Tell your friend Good Luck from me
Last edited by Cab_Burge; 11/02/15 02:53 AM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: poboyengineering]
#1943479
11/02/15 04:46 AM
11/02/15 04:46 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,334 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,334
Park Forest, IL
|
Custom built headers will probably be the only option, especially with clutch linkage. Fenderwells are about the only header I have seen on an early A/big block with the motor in the stock location.
He will also find the trans tunnel is a touch smaller than late A's too.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: turbo toad]
#1943641
11/02/15 02:06 PM
11/02/15 02:06 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
|
Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
|
Herb McCandless told me that the later Hooker super comp A body headers will work (#5215-1&7/8). At one time decades ago I mocked it up & the dr side fit but 2 tubes on the pass side needed to be cut/altered. Speedway mtrs has leftover pieces from header building for cheap or call your local ex shop (get the same gauge). Reportedly tire rub is the issue & 14's or low profile 15's are likely needed. An option I am considering is max wedge iron manifolds but they are pricey (but the headers are too) & I'm sure the manis would fit with a B & the 68-70 HP iron manis would for sure would fit & I saw a pic of a '66 A with a 440 (RB) with the max wedge manis & they fit. build tolerances in early A's were the worst ever but they are my fav & in some cases the 68-70 HP manis will even fit with a RB (steering col housing is the issue there) but you can shorten the housing (mock up & go from there). You'll likely need to remove the pinch weld in the sloping trans tunnell and in some case raise the tunnell (the tolerance thing again) & I have a JW ultrabell to adapt a 904 to a big block which will guarantee a no weld tunnell fit. Just need to find another good A body roller to work with & they seem to be gold plated these days. EDIT I have streetmaster spool swap mts (nice pieces) but not sure if they are even still in business
Last edited by RapidRobert; 11/02/15 02:07 PM.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: poboyengineering]
#1943663
11/02/15 02:31 PM
11/02/15 02:31 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 368 michigan
turbo toad
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 368
michigan
|
There was a member on fabo that was selling a custom header set for a early A Im not sure if he sold them or not heres the link http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=301912I built my own headers and its tight but mine are a upswept forward facing design
Last edited by turbo toad; 11/03/15 01:50 AM.
Check out my build on Facebook Ttoad Hurley its updated regularly
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: J_BODY]
#1943869
11/02/15 07:16 PM
11/02/15 07:16 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,845 Tampa
DusterDave
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,845
Tampa
|
I agree. Why create more headaches? Build a stroker smallblock and put a good set of heads on it.
Gone to the dark side with an LS3 powered '57 Chevy 210
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: ozymaxwedge]
#1944015
11/02/15 11:22 PM
11/02/15 11:22 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478 Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,478
Kalispell Mt.
|
Thats not even as small compartment as the original poster is talking about, that is the later a body.
Don't bother, it is easier to build a 440 SB than it is to change the plugs on a BB early A.
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: AndyF]
#1944022
11/02/15 11:27 PM
11/02/15 11:27 PM
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA
Polarapete
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,751
Graham, WA
|
These days you can build a 427 or 440 inch SB without too much trouble so I'd go that way. I see that it can be done, but like a lot of things we do once you reach the "point of no return" the small block looks a lot more attractive
1986 Dodge Ramcharger 440 2wd, Bracket Racer Under Construction 1998 Ram 2500 QuadCab, new daily driver. 2008 Honda Element 2014 Carry-On 7x14 Cargo Trailer
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: poboyengineering]
#1944065
11/03/15 12:06 AM
11/03/15 12:06 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448 Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
|
Advise your buddy to find a good header builder regardless of which way he goes, all the commercially available models leave much to be desired.
Fenderwell exit is pretty much the only option with the torsion bars in place.
I've got two examples of BB early A's near me, one a 65 Valiant, the other a 64 Valiant, and both cars worked extremely well.
Unfortunately, my 62 has even less room (at the firewall) so I'm forced to run a small block, or cut it up more than I'd like.
Don't let these guys fool you, a stroker small block will not fill that BB jonesin' we all get!
I know from 1st hand experience. My little 428 will run all day on pump gas, drive to the track and lay down mid 10's uncorked, then run 9's with a touch of nitrous. It has torque for days, and will slide you back in the seat regardless of what gear you punch it on the street! Give me an instant smile every time I lean on it.
But then you get back to the pits after whipping some rat, and pop the hood, and everyone walks over and say's, "It's only a small block?" Then you have apologize and say, "Yeah, I wish it was a big block too, but this was all that would fit!"
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: qwkmopardan]
#1946466
11/06/15 06:16 PM
11/06/15 06:16 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 462 Stockholm, Sweden
fed
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 462
Stockholm, Sweden
|
This one used homemade fenderwells made of old expipes! Pics with smallblock but used to run a 498!
Cuda, -70 Valiant-65 AWB, Valiant Signet200 -65 Topchopped dragcar. Topolino Fuel Altered. NostalgiaFED Sold, SuperComp Bantam Altered, Sold Ex Harlan Thompsons Nitro funny car American Graffiti Sold,
|
|
|
Re: BB in early A-body
[Re: poboyengineering]
#1946909
11/07/15 01:49 PM
11/07/15 01:49 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,219 New York
polyspheric
master
|
master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,219
New York
|
500 years ago, HRM fit a 383 into a '63 Dart, and had trouble with the firewall at the wiper motor, needed minor surgery.
Boffin Emeritus
|
|
|
|
|