shift linkage not working with new headers

[cycomiko]

Sorry these were the first headers I have ever installed and what a pain. I finally got them on and the shift linkage hits the header right in the middle of it. It will only move into reverse. Is there a way to alter my stock linkage rather than but a floor shifter now. Any info would be great. Oh the car is 80 Cutlass With a 260 and a th350 and a column shifter. Yeah yeah I know a 260. Only till my 355 is done.

 

[Blazenlotus]

I had the same problem with putting Flowtech headers on my 79 260. I couldn't get the column shift to work so I had to use a floor shifter. I still hit the spot where the header bolted to the exhaust but I just notched it a little. The stock one wouldnt work no matter what I did it was just to bulky. Somebody else may have had better luck but I gave up and went with floor shift and bucket seats. And what do you mean ya ya a 260 there is nothing wrong with a 260.

 

[megaladon6]

IIRC i flipped a rod around and used a screwdriver to tweak things and it JUST works.

 

[cycomiko]

megaladon6 some pics would help greatly.

 

[crotchss]

What part of the shift linkage hits? Is it the shift rod that comes down from the column? My friend had this happen when he put a set of A-body headers on his '87 2 wheel drive Suburban, so we bent the rod towards the frame now it works great.

 

[Minion1186]

same here. I have a set of olds dynomax balck jack headers on my cutlass with an olds 350 and a facotry floor shift car too. I had to grind the transmission shift arm down where the shifter cable bolts to and also grind my collector flange down.

 

[cycomiko]

I emailed flowtech to let them know. They said they were unaware of any problem like this. They also asked for pictures of the issue. So I guess I'll put it back and snap one for them. They would also like to know if others have had the same problem and what model number and engine combo etc. Let em know so they can fix the issue.

 

[78MC-BBC]

Back when i had a smallblock i had the cheap dynomax headers on it and the same problem, i had to remove that linkage. Even with the big block the hooker super comp headers have the same problem, no way a little tweak will get that to clear

 

[1983regal]

Lokar makes a nice linkage kit which might work instead of buying a shifter. There is also a company that makes a kit to adapt a cable from the end of the column down to the trans, to replace the linkage. Will have to see if I can find it again. Might be lokar also.
Greg

Lokar does make the cable linkage here is the link to it. http://lokar.com/product-pgs/column-shi ... tlink.html

 

[cycomiko]

Her is where it hits. It only goes in reverse then hits.