Can anyone with boat-tail wisdom let me know if the support beams shown in the picture are stock? Sorry the pic isn't extremely clear but they are shallow C-shaped beams that connect the frame rails to the K-member. They are roughly 1.5" wide and 24" long. The shape of the metal is unlike anything else on the car and I don't see them in searching the other frame pics posted on this board, but I haven't found a boat-tail specific frame pic. My '72 service manual doesn't show them. My new TA long tube headers do not fit because they bump into those supports. Just hammering a recess into the headers wouldn't be enough, they need to move back about 2 inches. I suppose I'm asking because I'll feel less bad about welding C-notches into those supports if they aren't stock. Thanks in advance!!
Thank you! Those pictures are exactly what I needed, I was having the darndest time finding something like that. It looks like they are indeed stock. I wish I didn't have to mess with them then. Maybe I'll remove and save them and just make my own replacements with more clearance.
Update: I got the driver side header in by welding a C-notch into that support brace. However on the passenger side the tube off the #4 cylinder only clears the top of the K-member by the width of a sheet of paper, when the engine torques that tube will bump the frame. Also, that same #4 tube contacts that little support brace on the passenger side. I figured it must be an easy fix for a machine or exhaust shop to move push that pipe over a quarter inch in each spot, but I showed it to 5 local shops today in San Diego and nobody wanted to touch it... Is this that uncommon for a machine shop to handle? If I don't have a more elegant solution in a few days I'm going to have at it with a big ol' hammer.
Those braces are for frame support & are stock. Removing them will more than likely cause cowl shake. I myself would just make something up somehow to replace the one that's in the way. JMHO
