Slight FPA header fitment problem

So I finally go to put my new step FPA headers on the '68 and the driver's side fits perfectly. Then, when I get to the passenger side, I notice that the #1 tube is interfering with the idler arm and won't drop down far enough in back to bolt the header to the head. I called FPA and they said that if you have aftermarket motor mounts that might be a problem and recommended the Ron Morris motor mount kit so I could adjust the position of the engine. I was really not liking this idea and wanted to know if I could dimple the ceramic metallic coating without harming it. He said that he has had customers who wrap duct tape around the tube and hit it with a brass hammer or use a press with a round edge and that it will not damage the coating. Well, I did this and was able to clear the idler arm bushing and the header is all bolted up. The question I have is how much space should I have between the header and the bushing on the idler arm. It is real close and I wonder if I should clearance it some more. These are beautiful headers, but I wish I hadn't had to mess with getting one to fit.
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Probably enough space to take into account engine movement and idler arm movement. But it sounds like your concern might be the heat doing a job on the idler bushing. If your 'dimpling' left enough room for all movement, then use some header wrap just in that area.

Hmmm...I have stock motor mounts, 351W block and I can get my fingers easily between the bushing and the tube.
I wonder if the tube locations have changed in the last couple of years?
And I have AFR heads....
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Can you stick something long in the collector (wooden 2x2 or something) and tweak the header a little towards the center of the car?
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I was thinking about tweaking the header a little bit. I will see if I can get it to come out just a little more because I don't want to dimple this tube any more. I might also wrap it too. These are for the Dart heads and the guy at FPA said they had some problems with the '68 because some customers have called and had the same issues. I also had to dimple a little bit for a bolt on my motor mount on the same tube.
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I just put a set of 1 3/4 FPA's on my car. Very nice headers. I assume you have stock motor mounts. Sounds like you only need a little more space. Just an idea, can you drill the motor mount holes to move the motor a bit?

We had the exact same problem on 2 different sets of FPA headers in our Project 67 with dart heads. No other choice but to use a hammer and dimple a bit of clearance... I got maybe .010 inch.
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I had the same problem, there was a slight interference at the bottom of the idler arm. So, I took a grinder to the idler arm and put a nice bevel along the edge to get clearance. I maybe have .010 as well, but it's not touching now.

Yup, a .010 of an inch is what I got too. Thanks for the info guys, at least I know I'm not the only one who had this issue. It's always something.[img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
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how is your spark plug clearance and access, I can't a socket on the plugs due to the thick flange, have to take the header off to get the plugs off!


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