427 sidepipe adjustment

[Chris C.]

I need to adjust the passenger side sidepipe up a little to keep it off the sidepipe cover insulator. I can't figure out how to loosen the nut that faces the far passenger side of the car, directly under the sidepipes bend? Is there a special tool? Any tips? Also, should I consider modifying the heat riser to stay open all the time? I will probably drive my 1967 435 2-3 thousand miles a year and would like opinions on should I modify the heat riser and what is best way to do it. Thanks in advance for any help and advice! Chris Covinsky

[Jerome P.]

Re: 427 sidepipe adjustment

Why would you want to adjust the heat riser? If it is working properly, why adjust?

[Steve G.]

Re: 427 sidepipe adjustment

I would highly recommend against modifying the heat riser to stay open. Pretty much every car manufacturer in the world used them on every carburated engines until they came up with a better way to atomize fuel, that being to inject the fuel under pressure through a nozzle. So, unless you've come up with a better way to vaporize fuel and maintain a constant air density, the heat riser still has a job to do.

Additionally, your engine utilizes a choke stat in a well in the exhaust cross over. Without a heat riser your choke will never come off. Poor performance, excessive fuel consumption, hard warm starts.

Can't help you with the access to the nut question. Might be able to suggest something if I saw a pic.
Steve