Hey ya'll!!! long time classic car buff, but new to the forum here. Hoping you could all help me out with an issue I've ran into with my 1967 Firebird build. I've installed a Heidts subframe, coil over suspension system with rack and pinion steering components. The original engine has exhaust manifolds so i had zero fitment issues with the new subframe/suspension upgrades, but now that i am ready to drop in my brand new custom built 428/467ci stroker motor, i found out the Dougs headers conflict with the new steering shaft location for the R&P set up. I am being told by Butler Performance that they don't know of any header that will work with my aftermarket steering setup. Its hard to believe that i would be the only guy who would upgrade to R&P steering and still want headers on the engine, so i was hoping some of you guys have dealt with this and have some suggestions.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

These are not cheap but have you thought about a tight fitting set of cast iron high performance exhaust manifolds? I have a set of these on my '59 Chevy Apache short bed, fleetside truck with a 350 cubic inch SBC engine. This '59 body sets on a '79 Chevy C-10 frame / chassis and needed a little help with clearance issues. Mine are a set of Sanderson Quiet Performer exhaust manifolds - no complaints so far. As a cast iron product, they also seal up better at the flange than any regular set of headers - no exhaust leaks.

Sanderson Headers

QP2000 Cast-Series Header Set, Big Block Chevy - Sanderso...

The QP2000 is a cast iron performance header set for big block Chevrolet engines installed in a variety of classic and street rod applications.

Rick

Bull frog , Doug’s are supposed to be great headers , just modify them to fit around your steering shaft 👍

11 hours ago, B52bombardier1 said:

These are not cheap but have you thought about a tight fitting set of cast iron high performance exhaust manifolds? I have a set of these on my '59 Chevy Apache short bed, fleetside truck with a 350 cubic inch SBC engine. This '59 body sets on a '79 Chevy C-10 frame / chassis and needed a little help with clearance issues. Mine are a set of Sanderson Quiet Performer exhaust manifolds - no complaints so far. As a cast iron product, they also seal up better at the flange than any regular set of headers - no exhaust leaks.

Sanderson Headers

QP2000 Cast-Series Header Set, Big Block Chevy - Sanderso...

The QP2000 is a cast iron performance header set for big block Chevrolet engines installed in a variety of classic and street rod applications.

Rick

Thank you sir, i have definitely considered that my only option might be having to going back to a exhaust manifold if i cant find any headers.

What does R&P have to say about it? Welcome to FP, beautiful ride. Nicely done so far.

12 minutes ago, JUSTA6 said:

What does R&P have to say about it? Welcome to FP, beautiful ride. Nicely done so far.

Thank you sir! Love your 66 GTO!. I have reached out to Heidts to see if they have had this issue come up with their rack & pinion set up, hoping they have a recommendation. I have been looking into the shorty header option as well...those look promising.

Thankz for the cudo's on the GTO. Hope you can find a bolt on solution, you can always make em fit yourself with a lil time N a mig....

Can you show or explain in some detail, what, where & how much is the interference!

Welcome to FP! Beautiful car by the way!

Edited February 18Feb 18 by Last Indian

On 2/17/2026 at 5:12 PM, Last Indian said:

Can you show or explain in some detail, what, where & how much is the interference!

Welcome to FP! Beautiful car by the way!

Thank you sir! See attached photos, i tried to get as many angles as i could. I am hoping the right set of shorty/block hugger headers might work.

Header Conflict.pdf

Welcome to this site Bullfrog.

I don’t know if you considered F-body RA III long branch manifolds. I used a pair from a ‘69 Trans Am on my ‘31 Pontiac with a Borgeson Vega-style steering box. Be advised that you would need to use the oil filter adapter to accommodate the manifold on the passenger’s side.

1 hour ago, 31pontiac said:

Welcome to this site Bullfrog.

I don’t know if you considered F-body RA III long branch manifolds. I used a pair from a ‘69 Trans Am on my ‘31 Pontiac with a Borgeson Vega-style steering box. Be advised that you would need to use the oil filter adapter to accommodate the manifold on the passenger’s side.

Thank you sir! I have considered i may need to stick with exhaust manifolds if the search for headers ends up being a dead end. I'll look into those type and a viable option. I do already have the oil filter adapter kit that i purchased when i thought the headers i got were going to work.

3 hours ago, Bullfrog said:

Thank you sir! See attached photos, i tried to get as many angles as i could. I am hoping the right set of shorty/block hugger headers might work.

Header Conflict.pdf

Well! That’s a problem! First thing I’ll ask, is I presume there is no provision with that frame for a traditional reciprocal ball system?!

If that is the case, as it appears, my next thought is you need to layout a path with the header in place. This would entail at least one frame connection for an intermediary joint. In this design you will be running a per say straight line from the firewall to the frame connection. This needs to get you pass the point of header contact due to the current angle you have to take. Than an angled shaft & couplings that gets you to the gear box. This may result in to steep of an angle & if that becomes the case I have a remedy that may negate that issue as well, but if the first design works I would see no reason to complicate things. See attach schematic drawing.

I like tims way, simple easy, quiet, plenty of room and tidy

Well ya'll, case closed on the 428/header conflict issue. I tracked down some real nice ceramic coated shorty headers from Sanderson, the PF1 series. Clears my R&P steering shaft even better than the old stock exhaust manifold. AND!!!!! Yesterday was the official grand awakening of the 428/467ci Poncho beast!!!! Just in time for summer time car shows!

Thank you to everyone who was helping with their ideas and suggestions! I really appreciate it!

Congrat's on the 1st fire. 1st ride go with that? Beautiful job.

No 1st ride yet, waiting for it to stop raining

Video please of your first ride, please!!

Rick