I moved the steering column as far over as I could and went from not being able to fit both the column and the header to having 1/4" of clearance between the header and the steering shaft. I drove to the exhaust shop today and noticed the the shaft contacts the header every once in a while. I only noticed it at low speeds. The contact was pretty slight; I could very easily turn the wheel past the point of contact. Strangely, I never felt the contact turning the wheel back to center.

Anyway, the primary tube has been dimpled/flattened very slightly. How bad would it be to just let it be, since the header will probably clear the shaft in a couple days?
Will there probably be any bad consequences to letting the steering shaft and the primary tube work out their dispute on their own? (i.e. is the shaft rubbing causing a lot of stress somewhere?)

I am just mad and disappointed that such expensive shorties made by a manufacturer who ought to make quality products (I wonder what problems went along with the tri-Y's that were available as original equipment). All right; I'm done for now.

 

Yeah, I had to move the steering shaft too. Mine moved enough so it doesn't hit. I was just as mad.

 

You've got it moved all the way and it STILL contacts? Wow. That's the FIRST I've heard of that. Hmmm...

I dunno what to tell you man, other than it really won't hurt anything to let 'em "fight it out" if the contact is as minor as you say.

 

Yeah, the holes in the mounting flange of the column are now about 3/4" long slots. I was able to move the column enough to take up most of that 3/4 inch, but I have a little extra room in the slots. For that reason, I'm saying that I moved the column as far as I can. To help keep everything in place, I used splined washers on the three screws that hold the flange to the firewall.

The contact is indeed minor as I only feel anything at low speeds (about 25 mph and less) and for some reason I only feel something on the initial turn of the wheel; never on turning the wheel back to center.

Based on what I've read here, I don't think that it is my motor mounts because I have plenty of header-to-subframe clearance.

 

Hmmm...

You got a digicam? Take some pics from the engine compartment where the steering shaft passes through the firewall and where the header contacts the shaft.

Also, take some measurements. See if you can get the distance between the frame rail and steering shaft with the steering shaft in its "long axis vertical" position (ie when it isn't rubbing). I'd like to compare it to my car and find out what the hell is going on.

 

I may be able to borrow a guy's digicam. I'll see what I can do and hopefully post pics tonight. I'll post measurements either way. If I can't get the digicam, I'll just take regular pictures and scan them in a couple days.