Measure once cut twice

One of the street rods I've seen recently had spacers made to set the manifolds out away from the motor, then they ran the exhaust outside of the frame. Wasn't a big block, but it was Mopar and on a Dakota frame. Think the spacers set the manifolds about 2" - 2 1/2" out, simple machined tubes that had bolts go through the manifold, the spacers, and into the heads, two sets of gaskets.

Also wondering if you use a short tilt steering column, can you run the bottom closer to the floor pan and run the column under the exhaust? Stands the column more up right, but the with the tilt and a longer column mount at the dash can make a lot more room under the hood, you just need the steering wheel to end up in the correct position to drive it comfortably. Gene

Offsetting the engine/trans also compensates for weight of the driver.

If you do the 'remote-mount' manifold thing, keep in mind you'll have more movement in your pipes as the engine twists - plan accordingly.

Spent alittle time in the garage today, did anyone notice I didn't put the heads on right? I had just set them on real quick, not bolted on, just held on by the pins. Went to bolt them on today before something happend, and saw they weren't all the way on. Now the engine width including the valve covers fit inside the recess, but I will still need to cut more out. Cut the bottom of the stock steering column, cut a hole in the firewall, it comes real close to where the exhaust manifolds would be. Will find out tommorrow.

Cut the firewall bigger, moved the engine over a little more than an inch. Will have to cut the steering column more, flush with the fw and get a bearing, and maybe a junkyard steering joint. Don't know if I need a rag joint. Should have clearance for exhaust, hope to find some used headers.

close up of column

Maybe I should start this in the projects section.

I think I would move the column over a little more to the drivers side if it were mine, are you planing on running the stock column and wheel? or go with a tilt column?

if you go with a tilt column you could angle the column to come through the firewall a little lower instead of next to the valve cover or exhaust manifold and still be comforable by tilting it down Ron...

To get more clearance around the coulmn, I can move the engine 1" more, should have enough valve cover clearance. Was planning on using the stock column, there was a save-a-column kit, but the company is now out of business. I'm sure I can find a bearing to match the column and do the same thing. Can't move the column from the stock location on the dash. I know a guy who did these before, used a Plymouth Accord column, but I dont want the shift or 80's looking wheel.

Man, it's too bad you're having such a hassle with it. I got lucky with my 56...used the stock mounts and bolted them to the LA block. I feel for you guys with the older ones, and I'm paying CLOSE attention, as the 37 gets closer and closer as the weather warms up!