88k5blazin
1/2 ton status
i just installed a new set of hedman elite headers on my 88 k5 blazer and now they are hitting the rear shackles on the front springs. not really sure where to go from here with this problem any help would be great
CK5
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header hits shackle
- Thread starter 88k5blazin
- Start date
Is your exhaust all bolted up or not? If it is, you'll need to make sure it's loose and doesn't pull the headers back when you bolt it back together.
Get the engine all warmed up, get under the truck with the longest 2x4 you can fit, and pry the headers away from the shackle. Doesn't take much space before they will stay cleared. Flipping the bolt around didn't work for me.
Get the engine all warmed up, get under the truck with the longest 2x4 you can fit, and pry the headers away from the shackle. Doesn't take much space before they will stay cleared. Flipping the bolt around didn't work for me.
3car
1/2 ton status
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213472&highlight=hedman
hedman sells several header model's that just don't fit worth a $hit.
88k5blazin
1/2 ton status
the exhaust is not all put together yet but do you think when it is if i were to get it heated up like you said and bend them inward they would stay in that position when they cooled down.
when i noticed the problem i hooked a ratchet strap to them and pulled them in closer and got almost 2 inches of clearance between the hangers and tubes but they went right back into place
I tried the strap deal, same result.
Mine held in place fine after they were warmed up and bent. I didn't have the engine running, probably could have gotten it even hotter if I needed to, but I only had to move them about 1/4" and they cleared. No problems since.
Most header manufacturers are bad about fitment (still) for whatever reason, but the plug access on this series of header is awesome compared to what I've heard of other brands. Hedman told me it was because my truck was lifted as to why they hit, although it's not and I told them that. I just wanted them to fix the problem for the next guy.
Mine held in place fine after they were warmed up and bent. I didn't have the engine running, probably could have gotten it even hotter if I needed to, but I only had to move them about 1/4" and they cleared. No problems since.
Most header manufacturers are bad about fitment (still) for whatever reason, but the plug access on this series of header is awesome compared to what I've heard of other brands. Hedman told me it was because my truck was lifted as to why they hit, although it's not and I told them that. I just wanted them to fix the problem for the next guy.
smalltowncowboy
1/2 ton status
a guy at work had this problem on his K5 when he bought it. he wasnt replacing the headers but noticed the headers hit the shackle bolts.
his problem actually was his shackles. you couldnt hardly see it when it was just sitting there but when he took the shackle apart. the holes were wobbled out and the bushings in the springs were shot.
his problem actually was his shackles. you couldnt hardly see it when it was just sitting there but when he took the shackle apart. the holes were wobbled out and the bushings in the springs were shot.
That's also a good point. Crawl under your truck and take a look at the shackles. I did notice in some of mine the rubber bushings have allowed the shackles to shift a little bit. Didn't really even consider that as being a potential cause, but mine hit on both sides, they aren't both bad.
In any case, there is so much room where these hit, that there is still no excuse for it. Those headers listed in the other thread (xxxx30?) look like they cure both the shackle and distance the 69890's hang down. Again, the shackle issue shouldn't exist at all, that's just poor design. They probably bent up 1000 sets incorrectly and instead of eating the cost, decided to sell them and "deal" with the repercussions.
In any case, there is so much room where these hit, that there is still no excuse for it. Those headers listed in the other thread (xxxx30?) look like they cure both the shackle and distance the 69890's hang down. Again, the shackle issue shouldn't exist at all, that's just poor design. They probably bent up 1000 sets incorrectly and instead of eating the cost, decided to sell them and "deal" with the repercussions.
88k5blazin
1/2 ton status
the shackles and bushings are both brand new
my next theory is to build the exhaust with an H pipe a little bit after the headers. i would strap the headers together and pull them in then weld the H pipe in to match the pulled in headers. does anyone see a problem with this not holding or not be a good idea?
my next theory is to build the exhaust with an H pipe a little bit after the headers. i would strap the headers together and pull them in then weld the H pipe in to match the pulled in headers. does anyone see a problem with this not holding or not be a good idea?
NEK5
3/4 ton status
Yep. The ones you need are the 69830`s
NEK5
3/4 ton status
The only reason I would see that being a bad idea, is that now there is pressure on both pipes being pulled in, so it could cause issues when the exhaust "flexes", if it ever had to. I may be completely wrong though
I would suggest against putting the exhaust in tension. You are just asking for exhaust leaks/bolts loosening up at every joint as it tries to pull itself back.
If you can send them back, get the ones that everyone says fit, or bend yours.
If you can send them back, get the ones that everyone says fit, or bend yours.
