Heat Riser Valve for 71 Big Block

[Frank B.]

Thanks for the responses regarding the heat riser problem. I am sorry I did not put the year I was speaking of in my discussion, so here we go again.
The judging manual for 1970 -1972 states that the the Heat Riser counterbalance weight points toward the front on big block cars. When I point my countrweight towards the front, the starter interfers with the counterweight movement.
When I turn it so that the counterweight is towards the rear of the car it works correctly. I intend to have this car judged so I need to know what is correct and what is not. I checked the riser to make sure the correct side is toward the manifold. The only thing that I can come up with if indeed it should face the front of the car is the possibility of the wrong starter. Can anyone help with this?

[Joe L.]

Re: Heat Riser Valve for 71 Big Block

Frank-----

For big blocks, the valve counterweight "points" to the front left, more-or-less towards the right side of the engine block.

[Frank B.]

Re: Heat Riser Valve for 71 Big Block

Thanks Joe

The only thing I can figure out is that I have the wrong starter.I will need to locate someone with a original starter and have them to send me the dimentions.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Heat Riser Valve for 71 Big Block

I doubt very seriously that any GM starter you can get on there will be the problem. Are you sure you have the original heat riser. Most all replacements are NOT correct.

[Joe L.]

Re: Heat Riser Valve for 71 Big Block

Frank------

After reading the responses to the other thread on this topic, I think that I may have led you astray. I know that the big block heat riser counterweight points more-or-less towards the block. However, it may be toward the rear as opposed to the front as I mentioned in my previous post. Given the flange configuration, there are 3 positions that the heat riser could be installed. I think the one which might be described as "left rear" would be the correct one.

I don't think that the starter could be a cause of the problem. Delco starters had only a few different frame configurations and all were used at one time or another on big blocks. So, all should fit with no problems.

The correct GM part number for the heat riser for your car is GM #3887034 and it's still available from GM for a list price of $53.18. That doesn't mean that aftermarket examples won't work correctly. Many that I've seen are configured just like the GM part.