header clearance

[regal350]

Ive got some header clearance issues with my TA 350 headers in a 79 regal. They just barely touch in 3 or 4 spots and cause a buzzing sound and also cause vibration at high rpm. They are touching the corner of the upper and lower control arm on the passenger side and the backside of the engine crossmember. I was thinking of just denting the headers since they only need a very slight amount of added clearance. Is this a good idea? How hard is it to do, will I have to heat up the tube in order to dent it? And how will it affect the performance and flow of the headers(they are 1 & 5/8'' primary) ?

Thanks

[sbbuick]

No matter what, you're going to have to remove the header(s) to fix this. Yes, I'd dent the headers carefully, with a ball peen hammer or other suitable device. I would do it cold, as the metal is thin enough (and fragile enough) that it shouldn't need to be heated.

You are correct. The headers flow quite a lot, so you shouldn't be hurting anything with a couple of clearance dents.

[regal350]

THANKS SBBUICK