ever since i put the 302 in my 71 maverick ive been havin a few problems. i got headman headers from summit for a maverick that im using but on the drivers side it blocks the tie rod from turning sharp rights. is there any way i can fix this? also even before the 302 i havent been able to get it aligned well enough that it wouldnt ruin my front tires too quick. any ideas bout how i could fix it? thanks
Sometimes you can "dent" the pipe to make it clear and other times you have to cut and weld. To get the alignment right you take it to a good front end shop - and complain if it isn't right.....
Go to a place that has a lifetime warranty - Firestone or another. Then when it goes bad they have to make it right - on their nickel!
first i would go through the frontend components and make sure they were good... wheel bearings (inner and outer) tie rod ends idler arm bushing strut rod bushings all ball joints lower control arm bushings sway bar bushings etc. etc. etc. lowering the frontend or too wide of a tire will effect the alignment also... a lot of times we have to find an old shop with an old mechanic that knows these old cars... ......
If you have power steering, you must use a power cylinder drop bracket from a mustang? Also, you may need to modify the bracket bolting holes to the frame to be able to mount the bracket. Once you mount and re-install power cylinder, re-check fitment for interferances. If a little off but getting closer, add about 1/2 spacers (I used nuts) between the motor and motor mounts. This fixed my problem with headers. Also, you may need to check your side-to-side (not toe) alignment on your front wheels because of the power cylinder drop. And, check your under hood clearance to the carb cleaner.
i dont have power steering or brakes and prolly a inch of carb to hood clearence. the header collector is too close so bout 4 inches down the pipe from the collector the tie rod hits it an it dents the pipe and knocks it loose from one of the hangers under the car so the drivers side pipe hangs a inch or 2 lower. i think i might just buy a elbow pipe and cut and weld the collecter to where its pointing down, then put the elbow in under where the tie rod moves. or if theres room i may try to point it over the tie rod but that might be a bad idea. and then i will probably gonna get polyurithane bushing set and replace any supention parts that need to be. then hopefully they can get it aligned and it will stay aligned. i will prolly make a monte carlo bar also while im at it. and it looks like im gonna go ahead and put the t5 in too so that will prolly cause more exhaust problems lol
What's the part number of the headers? I ran Headmans for years on mt 74, with power steering (and drop bracket), and never had any issues, so you'd think with out all the P/S stuff it would be gravy.
Has your car been driven without the export braces for any great length of time???If so...Its possible the shock towers are leaning inward enough to throw off the camber (These cars are flimsey you know)I have found that most alignment shops these days dont know how to or lack the experience necessary to properly aligne Our cars with their "complicated" front suspensions.Definitely check all the front suspension components first.If all is good Its time to find a shop that knowes how to set up these old beasts...As for the header clearance issue...Some have interfearance issues and some dont...It seems to be the luck of the draw with headers in our cars.Its also possible the car is bent causing all your woes.It may be a good idea to pay a good collision shop to put the car on a frame machine and make sure its still true...Good luck!!!
its always had the braces on it an im prolly gonna make a monte carlo bar to help too. and i had the frame straghtend out a couple years ago. i think its either a bad or loose part or parts that need to fixed. it will prolly be another month or so before i even get started on this big project im just trying to get everything together so i can do everything at once while i have everything out and dont f somethin up
