Hey what kind of problems have any of you run into installing the drop bracket from AK for the ram to be out of the way? 1. I can't get the bolts into the bottom holes if the one in the side is in, bottoms will go in if side is not in, or vice versa but not all together. 2. It, when I have it in place, does not cure the problem of the ram hitting the headers, needs to be about 1/4 inch further towards the front.
I remember mine not fitting well either. I drilled out the holes on the bracket. it still hit at certain angles. after a week or two the nuts in the frame that it bolt to ripped out. Then I had it welded in lace at a better location. after that ripped off twice I removed power steering altogethor and never looked back.
Getting rid of the P/S is not an option for me, I have spent WAYYY too much money on the front end to even think about that.
I know the feeling. All new hoses, new control valve, new slave cylinder. Drove it for 6 months then put headers on. A couple months later all the P/S stuff was sold.
sounds like there is need to redesign and renforce the bracket. i personaly have seen one of these for over 10 years but would like to see pic then give beter advice on how to make it beter. off the top of my head i would take a pice of angle iron or metal plate with a 90 degree bend in it to put on the frame under the bracket. weld it or put bolts through the horizontal side of it. the plate would lower it a bit more to get more clearance for the headers. attacheing it to two sides of the frame rail would greatly increase the support for the bracket.
Would there be different drop brackets, for different brands of headers?? I installed one years ago on my 74, went on without any issues, but it did rip the inserts out of the frame rails after a year or two, so we just welded it to the frame rail.
I have decided that I am just going to have one custom made, I just hate that it took wasting $30.00 to make me decide what I should have done in the first place. On another note, some of you may remember back when I found a guy that had some Maverick parts, I bought alot of them....well seems (partially my fault) that the double hump tranny mount I bought from him is not of Maverick origin, and therefore will not fit, so the hunt is back on for that part now, I don't really know how they got the exhaust on the donar car I took it all out of. Anybody need those 1975 Maverick spindles I have yet? lol TRADE TRADE TRADE!!!!
The drop bracket should be in the correct location. The issues with them are that the lower two bolt holes were drilled too close together, other than that you should be in the right place. You mentioned a crossmember, Do you have the correct crossmember in the car? Not having the motor at the right angle will make the bracket seem like its in the wrong location.
