My 78’ Pontiac GP/SJ 454 build

[78BB-Pontiac]

You sure the body mounts aren't just collapsed on that side?

The car drives straight as a arrow also..

 

[DRIVEN]

I'd just put a spacer above/under the spring and forget about it. That is, if you're positive the body bushings are okay and you don't have a good friend with a frame rack who's patient and owes you a big favor.

 

[78BB-Pontiac]

I'd just put a spacer above/under the spring and forget about it. That is, if you're positive the body bushings are okay and you don't have a good friend with a frame rack who's patient and owes you a big favor.

Yep’ positive bushing are good. Yes’ I took spring out and welded two 1/4 inch round bar in top and bottom of spring. Still needed one little block on each side of spring to gain height I needed. I would like to get it fixed right though. It’s a pretty clean car and worthy of being fixed right.
Was thinking of taking bracket off frame, heating it up on my bench vise and giving it a couple good whacks with my Snap-On ball pean hammer? Then bolting it back on frame, giving it some welds?

 

[78BB-Pontiac]

I have used 2 different headers both from Hooker. The cheapest was the 2455 full length designed for 68-72 A-body cars like the Chevelle. Took some massaging to fit but for $100 or so I was happy. I believe I had to grind out some of the lower control arm mount and move the brake proporting valve back on the frame a few inches. The latter probably isnt NEEDED but I don't like the idea of hot brake fluid.

My current headers are the Hooker slip tube 2241 headers made specifically for BBC swaps in G-bodies. These are much more expensive but they are "tuned" and fit better. The only reason I made the switch was because I found them dirt cheap out of the blue locally. Only downside besides the price is dealing with the slip tubes leaking. Will need high temp silicone while assembling them.

Both headers, if not ALL headers will need some relief ground out on the bottom of the mounting flange when using bigger head bolts like ARP. Both headers mentioned are full length, 2" primary into 3.5" collectors.

I just got home from work and the Hooker 2455 headers I ordered were on my porch. Delivery took two day only. I can see why you didn’t go with the 2241 headers right off the bat. About $230 for 2455’s compared to $625 for 2241’s. They both come with the same crappy paint that burns off in a few days. What’s up with that..🙄

 

[383_GrandPrix]

I just got home from work and the Hooker 2455 headers I ordered were on my porch. Delivery took two day only. I can see why you didn’t go with the 2241 headers right off the bat. About $230 for 2455’s compared to $625 for 2241’s. They both come with the same crappy paint that burns off in a few days. What’s up with that..🙄

If I'm not mistaken, the black paint on the headers is just to prevent rust during shipping. I believe you're supposed to strip it and paint the headers with high temp paint.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I have tried running the headers in the paint they come with and I have tried blasting them and painting them with a good high temp paint. Both yielded similiar results. My next set will either be ceramic or wrapped.

 

[78BB-Pontiac]

If I'm not mistaken, the black paint on the headers is just to prevent rust during shipping. I believe you're supposed to strip it and paint the headers with high temp paint.

Yeah I’ll end up painting them with POR15 header paint.

 

[78BB-Pontiac]

I have tried running the headers in the paint they come with and I have tried blasting them and painting them with a good high temp paint. Both yielded similiar results. My next set will either be ceramic or wrapped.

I guess it’s another case of nothing lasts forever. I have had good results with the POR15 products I have used. (rust preventive coating) As long as it’s on blasted clean metal! I’ll Try their header paint and see how it does?

 

[78BB-Pontiac]

Ok’ I have a question for all you fine G body owners. Do any of you know where I can get one of these strikers for my drivers door? From what I can tell the door strikes it and it turns on a spring. It connects to the drivers seatbelt retractor behind the bottom interior panel under the back drivers side 1/4 window.

 

[pagrunt]

Salvage good ones fron the junkyard. PM L.A.X-RATED to see if he as any in his stash.