Moving engine to gain header/steering clearance

[RussMcB]

I've read a few posts that mention "centering" or shimming the engine to gain clearance between the header tube and steering tube.

Any suggestions from someone who's done this?

I have OBX headers. I dimpled the tube for clearance, and it's probably okay, but I can see they have touched each other since the install.

I can envision shimming the the driver's side engine mount to raise that side. I'm not as clear about how to "center" or move the engine. Would that be, loosening the two lower engine mount nuts, then using a 2x4" or something to persuade the engine towards the passenger side? Would the engine mount holes need to be filed a tiny bit to allow the movement?

Thanks, y'all.

[Demps]

Here's a technique:

Recommend: 10mm shorty box-end with ratcheting closed end!!! Cheater tip: You can remove stock manifolds without taking off heat shields.
--Gain access to a raised car--Jack, lift, etc
--remove front tires
--remove wx strip & center fender well section molded piece
--remove air duct and MAP sensor
--[under] remove two 18mm (?) motor mount nuts--if you jack engine high enough they will mis-align but no big deal
--2x4 in front of oil pan and jack
--start removing manifold bolts
--[strongly recommend] double nut header stud, remove, apply thread sealant, reinstall


Ted

[RussMcB]

I made a simple shim out of 3/16" thick plate steel, drilled a hole in it and slipped it under the driver's side engine mount. It seems to have helpe provide a little more clearance. We'll see.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by RussMcB

I made a simple shim out of 3/16" thick plate steel, drilled a hole in it and slipped it under the driver's side engine mount. It seems to have helpe provide a little more clearance. We'll see.

My guess is the contacting has been only during deceleration, i.e., engine braking. That shim may do the trick; is what I was going to suggest as well. But, before I did suggest it, I wanted to look on mine to see what that was going to do to the passenger side clearance between the cam cover and the AC box (for one example), or make aligning the C-beam holes more difficult? Prolly no big deal. Just thinking "out loud".