Header clearance issue in an 1989 Blazer Silverado

[blaznaro]

Just got a set of hedman headers for the blazer and the driver side seems like there wont be an issue but the passenger side looks to be a problem.
I tried to fit the passenger side header in place but the heat shield of the starter is in the way and the bump stop bracket bolted to the frame poses another issue.... Any remedies or advice as to what to do about this issue will be greatly appreciated... The hedman headers i have are the model 69830 which was said to be used for lifted trucks for more clearance and the only other recommended header through them was the 69890 which is more of a traditional style header but not having both in hand i couldnt really tell you the difference other than I was told by jegs that the 69890 was an angle plug style header and the 69830 was the straight plug header ... I obviously have the straight plug heads considering ive installed a vortec crate engine but none the less i just need to know what to beat, bang, cut, and or remove to get it done.

 

[Upstate]

Can you snap a picture? I have Headman headers on one of the two K5s (a '87 and not the '90) and don't have any issues.

 

[dyeager535]

Supposedly the 69830's are the header to run, period. You saw the thread that contains this post? http://coloradok5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2211545&postcount=61 Linked due to the pics, especially of the starter.

I don't know as anyone else in 260 replies to that thread had an issue with those, and except stainless, are what I intend to swap mine out with!

 

[Upstate]

Was the box open? Something is weird.

 

[blaznaro]

no...I opened the box .....just looks like the bump stop bracket will b the main issue ....I cld trim the starter heat shield a lil too....I tried to slide the header in place and it wldnt go easily so I wanted to make sure I had the correct ones be going further and not being able to return them.

 

[max 02]

Never had any trouble with my Hedmans fitting.

But I can`t remember the # and I just sold them.

I know they are a close fit near the shackle "I turned my bolts on the shackles around for more room" and you will have to snake you way through the cross member around the t case on the passenger side. But other than that they were good.

 

[dyeager535]

Even my 69890's fit easily (outside of the shackle problem) but I don't have a starter heat shield. Maybe that's the majority of the issue in your case? Can you remove it easily just to test fit, see if install goes easy then?

 

[paratrooper307]

My Hedmans fit without issue, but I remember the instructions noted that on some vehicles the frame bracket may cause interference. A picture would be helpful, mine tuck up so high the collector is nowhere near the shackle. One thing I did notice is they do run pretty close to the starter, so that heat shield could definitely be an issue.

 

[blaznaro]

Well, I finally mounted the Heddman Headers and they are a nice TIGHT fit...I had to remove the starter in order to mount the header on the passenger side as well as remove the bump stop bracket that is bolted to the frame. "Hope I don't need that part" !!! The header on the passenger side would not have fit at all without removing it so I guess it's an unimportant part depending on who you ask... Didn't have any issues with the driver side at all. No clearance issues with the factory oil filter adapter etc. so all in all it was an easy bolt-on. The only issues I see with these are being able to easily add your wiring to the starter. Other than that, looks like a Winner. I must add that with the collectors being tucked back tight toward the center of the engine it does allow for a better connection and run out of your choice of exhaust. I chose to go with ball joint style collectors for the ability to turn my exhaust immediately aft of the collector in the direction I have chosen to run the exhaust without any tight angles near the collector. In other words i am not forced to draw my exhaust off of a fixed point of angle as you would with flange style collectors. Just my 2 cents worth.....
I included a few before and after pics just for the fun of it... Hope this helps someone else....

 

[dyeager535]

Look good! Glad they fit.

The bump stop you are talking about, is that the one that hits the pinion portion of the front axle? Not sure anyone has actually figured what that is for, since you've got four more stops on the leaf springs. Maybe it's for when you jump it like the dukes of hazard the frame doesn't take all the stress of bottoming out.

Many of us have been running without that bracket for decades, have yet to see any issues that might possibly be related to it's removal.

 

[Chevy305]

I didn't even know there was a bracket like that on our trucks

 

[dyeager535]

It's pretty massive when you look at it out of the truck. It seems so useless I have never dedicated more than 5 minutes of thought to it's potential reason for existence.