I need different BBC 454 headers for my swap. Help?

[Mhael]

I know this thread is a little bit older, but I just got a set of 2241's the other day and have been working on getting them in the car. The drivers side is in and almost bolted in tight...the bottom of the flange is tight to the block but there is about an 1/8in gap on the top side of the flange...the collector at the other end is already pushing into the floor pan and to get that last 1/8 it is wanting to push further into the floor pan. Also on the passengers side I have having some clearance issues with the lower control arm mount...everyone else I have seen using these say they drop in easy on the passenger side.

 

[565bbchevy]

Did you buy these headers new?
I have ran the Hooker BBC engine swap headers a few times and the only modification I have ever had to make is the one listed in the instructions to notch the factory driver's side clamshell style engine mount if you are using those other than that I have never had any other issues with clearance.

 

[TURNA]

I had the 2241's and hated them. I swapped them to the Hooker 2455's

You will have to trim the pass side front lower control arm mount a hair but it was very easily done.

 

[Mhael]

Did you buy these headers new?
I have ran the Hooker BBC engine swap headers a few times and the only modification I have ever had to make is the one listed in the instructions to notch the factory driver's side clamshell style engine mount if you are using those other than that I have never had any other issues with clearance.

Yeah I just bought them brand new from Summit and received them yesterday...the box they came in was completely crushed and the headers were poking out, the packaging was ripped so much I was surprised that the bolts, gaskets, and instructions hadn't fallen out.

I had the 2241's and hated them. I swapped them to the Hooker 2455's

You will have to trim the pass side front lower control arm mount a hair but it was very easily done.

I have ground off almost a 1/4 inch in that picture and they are still rubbing. I am more concerned about the drivers side hitting the floor pan. I have a set of 2455s that came with the motor, but it didn't seem like they would fit without hacking up the lower control arm mounts on both sides. I might have to re-examine them though...

 

[TURNA]

2455's drivers side should go in with no mods

keep in mind depending on what head bolts you used. you may have to grind or shave down the flange in spots that bolts to the head.

 

[Chevyman540]

I've had the 2241 for a while and other then trimming the clam shell and turning the lower control arm bolt around they fit great.
do you have the standard height block or a .400 raised deck block. Also depending on what heads you have, some have a raised exhaust ports.
My 540 with a standard deck block and the AFR heads with a .375 raised exhaust ports I have no problems.

 

[Mhael]

I've had the 2241 for a while and other then trimming the clam shell and turning the lower control arm bolt around they fit great.
do you have the standard height block or a .400 raised deck block. Also depending on what heads you have, some have a raised exhaust ports.
My 540 with a standard deck block and the AFR heads with a .375 raised exhaust ports I have no problems.

I am pretty sure it is just a standard deck, I am not sure about exhaust ports. Here are the casting numbers off the block and heads.

 

[Chevyman540]

When I first put the big block in there it was a regular 454 stock steel headed motor. These pics were from mock up. I've got
stock frame mounts and clam shells. I just followed the write up over on the maliburacing site. There is plenty of room.

 

[Bar50]

Yeah, the only place either 2455 or 2241 was anywhere close to the floor on any of mine was passenger side firewall was close to one tube.

 

[Mhael]

So I actually took out the 2241's and was messing around with the 2455's...they seem to fit as good if not better. The passenger side is just barely touching the lower control arm mount, so one dimple in the header should take care of that. I have great clearance between the collector flange and the floor on the passenger side, but I do have the factory heat shield removed...if it was on it would probably be close to touching. I am having the same problem on the drivers side though. It is almost bolted up tight but the collector flange is hitting the floor pan. Is it possible that my body bushing have degraded to the point where the body is sitting that much lower on the frame? It looks to me that the floor pan on the drivers side is "deeper" than that on the passenger side...so if the car was sitting on the ground there would be shorter distance from the ground up to the bottom of the drivers side pan than there would be from the ground up to the passengers side pan.

Well since 2 sets of headers are having the same problem, it must be an issue with the car. I was thinking about using a piece of plywood and a floor jack to slightly push the floor pan up to give enough clearance...does this seem like a bad idea?