Hi everyone! Im fairly new member and have a 1972 Buick Skylark that I have cloned to a Buick GSX

Discussion in 'Race 400/430/455' started by BuickGSgoodtime, Sep 14, 2017.

  1. BuickGSgoodtime

    BuickGSgoodtime New Member

    My problem I have ran into is after 1970 Buick 455 engine and 400 tranny all orginal as a pair dropped in, I ordered TA performance headers and they swear they fit! But they hit the steering shaft and are close to the frame it seems. What headers do you any of you use that fit properly or do I go back to the orginal exhaust manifolds!!

    Scott
     
  2. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    Sweet car
    We're ya from
    All headers are a pain to install that's the trick
     
  3. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Welcome! Best bet is to call TA and discuss your problems with them, they are very knowledgeable and helpful. As said above, headers can be a pain. Some times you have to use a socket and make a dent to clear things, but you could have other issues. Talk to TA. Phone: 480-922-6807
     
  4. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    My TA headers fit in my 72 Skylark with a 455 (even a 70 455 coincidentally) without any clearancing needed. They were a bit easier to install for me because all I had was a rolling chassis at the time. But Joe's right, pretty much all long tube headers are a b*tch to install. I almost died installing a set on an sbb 72 Skylark once....
    img20170914_152701.jpg
     
    OHC JOE likes this.
  5. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    If your motor mounts have sagged a little, that doesn't help either.
     
  6. BuickGSgoodtime

    BuickGSgoodtime New Member

    Thank you all for responding! I ll call TA performance and check with them again. The very good hometown mechanic says they wont work cause of the steering shaft so close and would have to dent in a lot to clear but he feels the headers are so close to the frame to it may damage the frame to over time.. The mount are in the 2 and 4 position like they should be. Is there any company the makes the original tin gaskets for the original exhaust manifolds !!
     
  7. BuickGSgoodtime

    BuickGSgoodtime New Member

    There are new motor mounts in it
     
  8. jzuelly1

    jzuelly1 Jesse Zuelly IV

    Not Sure about your gaskets question. I got a set of Hooker Headers for my 462 and they fit with no denting required. They were a beast to install though.

    I jacked my front end up as high as my 3 ton Jack stand could extend. The top of my fenders were at least 5 feet in the air. I was able to work them in slowly but surely. I have done it a few times due to set back I encountered. Every time it was rough but they will fit.

    Good Luck.
     
  9. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Are you putting them in or the mechanic?
     

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