I'm planning to install Dynomax Blackjack headers, p/n #85012 in my 86 TA with a 305 TPI motor. I took it to a mechanic in the area who is good, and said he'd put them in, put the y-pipe on, and weld everything for $175. But he pointed something out to me. The air conditioning bracket that goes through the original manifold on the drivers side and also the power steering(I think)....the brackets to those go through the manifolds....or the bolt that holds them do...but they are supported b/c of the width of the manifold. With the aftermarket header, I loose the width, and that would cause my air conditioning bracket/compressor to move around and hit the valve cover. Same with the steering(i think). I didnt know if Dynomax's support line is open 24 hrs(its not) so before i call them tomorrow afternoon, i was curious to see if anyone would know what to do....is there a kit for it that i need to get, and if so, what is the part number and price? I'm just lost b/c i have everything ready to go, and this is holding me back. If anyone has any information, that would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

That's a very simple problem to fix - just fabricate a spacer out of some type of durable steel tubing or pipe that makes up for the lost thickness. In a pinch, I've even used a stack of washers, although it admittedly wasn't my best work. If you want, you could get a machine shop to make you a nice looking spacer out of aluminum or something.

 

I was thinking something along those lines too...thanks for the input. Only problem is that money is tight and fabrication for anything even something that small isnt cheap. I'm going to look into that more and see what i can figure out. I might have something at the auto parts store i work at that might work. Thanks for the help.

 

My Hooker 2055s came with spacers that you use with the old manifold bolts where the support brackets attach. Ask Dynomax about it. I'm sure if you're buying application specific headers a company as reputable as Dynomax would have something along those lines.

 

There was a thread about this earlier. Basically they are a safety measure just to be on the safe side. You don't really need them.

 

1mean92....

Thanks for the input. I'm calling dynomax today. Their website doesnt say if their tech line is open 24/7 so i called last night and it wasnt. So we'll see what they have to say today.

I dont know what you mean by that 24th4ss...do the bolts that go through the manifolds hold the brackets in place even with the new headers or is there a chance that the brackets will start shifting, comming loose, etc? I DO want to be on the safe side and not have that happen....I dont need more headaches....this car is my daily driver and the C5 is tucked away in a garage 150 miles from here. So essentially, if someone serious happens, I'm stuck.

 

Basically you will be fine without the bracket. That is not the only thing holding the alternator or ac on. Several people have just eliminated these brackets all together and have been fine. If you don't feel right doing that then simply put a spacer on there and be done with it.

 

I think i have found a solution to the problem. My gf's father's friend has an 86 Z with a 305...its not the TPI, but its the same motor...and he had put on the same exact headers as I have, and had the same problem....but he got a way around it....so we'll be copying his solution for my car as well. By the way....if anyone has pictures of what they did to their f-body to solve this, I would love to see some pic posts...that would help out greatly too. Thanks.

 

You can see my spacer in this pic.

 

1MEAN...

That helps alot...thanks!!!! :lala: :lala:

 

You're welcome. I think you could probably fab something up outta some steel pipe from any hardware store. Shouldn't be too difficult.

 

1MEAN92RS...

I printed that picture up that you posted....hopefully in the next couple weeks, I will be able to use that as a reference to put my headers on. I appreciate the help.

 

Just found this at Summit. Mr. Gasket makes these spacers if you are really interested. p/n MRG-9853

 

Now see, thats exactly what I'm talkin about. That helps a great deal as well....thanks for your help 1MEAN92RS...that spacer is probably what i need...looks like the same one thats in your picture that you posted. I might order it. Think its worth it? Or should i scavenge for that somewhere around in my local hardware store....where i'd probably pay around the same?

 

Well, the Mr. Gasket spacers from Summit are nice and chrome, but at the same time they are still cut-to-fit AND $4 a piece. It depends on whether or not you can find something at your hardware store that'll work. It'll most certainly be cheaper there (no shipping and no handling fee), but then again, no chrome. It's up to you, I was just throwing it out there as another option.

 

I'll have to check at my hardware store.....since I have power steering and air conditioning, you wouldnt happen to know just how many of those spacers i would need offhand would you? Again, I apprceciate your help.

 

Since you have A/C, you will need 2. One for the A/C and one for the alternator. Power steering doesn't play into the equation.

Later,
Harry

 

I see...but i think someone told me(i havent been able to check yet) that there are two on top of each other on the driver's side for the air conditioing....do you know if that is accurate?

 

I dunno 'bout you, but I only see one

 

I meant where the air condtioning compressor is. I talked to a guy from the Summit tech dept yesterday about that spacer...and he said i might need 2 for the compressor. I just havent been able to check on my car....

 

That second picture is from the pass side right behind the a/c compressor. Since yours is an '86, does this mean the a/c compressor is where my alternator is? I feel so for having never considered this, although I know that some earlier cars are like that.

 

Yes, my A/C Compressor sits where your Alternator does.....so its reversed...I dont know what year they changed it to your setup...but thats how it was in 1986

 

Here's what I did, go to a machine shop or a hardware store and buy what's called "bar stock." It's basically a long threaded bolt a few feet long that you can cut to any length. Plus it's dirt cheap, I think the machine shop let me have it for free since it was extra. Then I just used a dremel to cut it to the right length. Here's a pic of my SLP headers.



It's been on there for 3 years and no problems.

 

Oh yea the SLP headers had a spacer on them, the reason I had to use the bar stock is the bolt from my manifolds wasn't long enough. If you need a spacer just go to a hardware store and get some steel plumbing pipe. That's what I've used for a spacer with my spring compressor and it's extremely strong, and cheap.

 

Sounds good to me....I'm going to try to find that stock from the plumming supply...and figure it out...headers should be going on in a couple weeks....thanks again for the help.