Headers For a 73 Road Runner (Damn steering column hitting) Help

[purple70rt]

Hey guys, have a 73 RR with a 400.  I finally got the headers in, but had to really dent them up to clear the big round sleeve on the steering column.  Anyone know if a 71 - 72 column will work?  I do have a 74 set up, but the column looks diffrent.  Do they make special headers for this year?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  THANKS!!!

[Nacho-RT74]

Yes they could be different. there was different assemblies along the years. Mine for example ( assemblied in Venezuela, not USA car ) doesn't use the big puck rubber coupler, however use the thin one used as my 74 parts Catalog on Chryslers C bodies and is located around 3-4" from firewall

A friend of mine with a 73 use a very similar assembly BUT the coupler cup to the steering box stud is not attached directly to box. Instead that, the cup has a bracket that bolts on another bracket attached on to the box stud.

I think you could try to find the best assembly possible as you need, but of course will affect on handling. The rubber stuff was designed to isolate the vibrations on wheel, same purpouse as isolators to K members. But I don't think you care about it too much LOL

[RD]

Hey guys, have a 73 RR with a 400.  I finally got the headers in, but had to really dent them up to clear the big round sleeve on the steering column.  Anyone know if a 71 - 72 column will work?  I do have a 74 set up, but the column looks diffrent.  Do they make special headers for this year?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  THANKS!!!

I have a 73 RR with a 440.  I removed the power steering and put in a man. steering gearbox.  That coupler is no longer there.  I have 1 7/8" hooker super comps.  Hooker distinguishes their header styles from 66-72.  73 and up would require some different tube formats, but Hooker expects the consumer to do a little "hammering" instead of changing their current formats.

My only recommendation is to swap to manual steering setup.  The 66-74 steering columns are different for power steering systems in design, but the manual steering column shafts are similar from 66-74.

[Charger1973]

Im also curious about this.  I plan to have headers on my 73, but I want to keep my power steering.  Do you guys have any issues with 71/72 or 74 cars?  Has anyone tried using a column from one of these years in a 73?  There has to be a way to do it.

[purple70rt]

I have a box and column out of a 74 I am going to try to use, I will let you know how it works out.

[idahogrumpy]

I have a 73 Charger with a 440 and a 4 speed and have had issues with the power steering and headers. The header tube has to have a pretty serious dent put into it to clear the rubber coupler. Even after that the heat from the header ruins the rubber coupler after time.

I went to flaming river and put a ujoint coupler into my 73. While this still is not perfect because this makes the connection solid and the K frame is rubber mounted which causes the movement in the K frame to be felt in the steering column. I plan to resolve this by using the solid K frame mounts sold by Mancini racing. I have several steering columns from several differant mopars and decided against trying to make the coupler from any of those work because of the complexity of the job at hand.

[Charger1973]

I have a 73 Charger with a 440 and a 4 speed and have had issues with the power steering and headers. The header tube has to have a pretty serious dent put into it to clear the rubber coupler. Even after that the heat from the header ruins the rubber coupler after time.

I went to flaming river and put a ujoint coupler into my 73. While this still is not perfect because this makes the connection solid and the K frame is rubber mounted which causes the movement in the K frame to be felt in the steering column. I plan to resolve this by using the solid K frame mounts sold by Mancini racing. I have several steering columns from several differant mopars and decided against trying to make the coupler from any of those work because of the complexity of the job at hand.

Nice car 

Do you have any pictures of the coupler on your steering column?  I would be interested in seeing that. 

[Crazy440]

Here's how I handled that problem on my 73.
Crazy

[Charger1973]

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=214/category_id=167/home_id=85/mode=prod/prd214.htm

Would this work in a 73 B-Body?

[idahogrumpy]

Yes, I used their coupling shaft kit for Mopars. As I recall you knock out the cross pin that goes into the stock coupler at the end of the steering column, measure the length you need, cut the shaft that comes in the kit, assemble everything, and tighten the set screws to the steering column shaft. I think thats all that it took. Remember I have CRS.  I have been sick for the last few days and haven't been out to the shop. I will try to get a picture.    Grumpy