66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

[Larry E.]

Another project left to do before judging is to install the Original Damper Shock(378100) with
its original frame bracket. I noticed that this installation is very close to the exhaust side pipes.
Does this present any future problems with the heat involved? comments please! Below is an old
thread that went unanswered years ago. Please Read>

The end of the steering vibration damper where it attaches to the bracket that bolts to the frame on the driiver side on my L79 67' is 1/8th inch from the exhaust pipe (side pipes) just below the exhaust manifold. The exhaaaust pipe at this point is obviously VERY hot and is transfering a lot of heat to the damper! This is causing the damper to leak oil and deteriorate rapidly. Is this the normal location for the damper end or is something out of place. It may just be a bad design in which case I will wrap the pipe near the damper with some insulating material and forget about it. If it's wrong I would like to get it right!! Could someone with side pipes see if you also have this close fit between the driver side damper end and the exhaust pipe!? Thanks in advance!!

IF THIS PRESENTS A PROBLEM I NEED NOT INSTALL IT(DAMPER SHOCK) AND TAKE THE HIT WITH
THE POINTS FOR JUDGING. NEED SOME ADVICE FROM SOMEBODY THAT HAS CROSSED THIS BRIDGE
BEFORE. THANK IN ADVANCE>>LARRY P.S. My car is very very original and I noticed that that the frame
bracket is missing. I just wonder if one of the previous owners just took it off(The whole Damper System) if he was having an issue. ??

[Larry E.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Somebody must know about this problem. How about my old standby's that help me>
Harry Sadlock
Leif Anderson
Gary Beaupre
Or anybody else. Thanks again>Larry

[Leif A.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Larry,
My '67 with side pipes has power steering but I think the ram is connected to the same location for non-power steering. If so, mine has over an inch of clearance.

[David M.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Larry, Ill be anybody.
Snap a picture.
What do you consider too close?

All cars of this era possess quite a bit of slop, errr extra tolerance in most sub assemblies.
Normal rational would dictate the chassis component tolerance is tighter than the exhaust. Meaning you should have wiggle room to adjust the exhaust away from the chassis. This assumes the pipes are sized and bent correctly, the steering components are correct for the application and correctly installed.

I've hung several full systems on C3s and plenty of systems on others. They all needed to be loosely assembled, aligned then tightened to final position. All required some tweaking/fab skills to get a good fit.

I have zero experience with side pipes. It looks like you have two points for adjustment. At the manifold and at the rubber cushion.
My suggestion, loosen the system and see what kind of movement you can get? Bias it away from the ram or dampener and tighten.

[Larry E.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Larry,
My '67 with side pipes has power steering but I think the ram is connected to the same location for non-power steering. If so, mine has over an inch of clearance.

Leif;Thanks for the response. Even an inch seems "close" to me. I know your nice car is not a car driven daily like they
where when brand new so this is probably helping the car have no issues. I just wonder though that in time will it cause
issues?? Thanks>Larry

[Larry E.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

[QUOTE=David Morland (42626);916827]Larry, Ill be anybody.
Snap a picture.
What do you consider too close?

David:Thanks for the response and idea's. I guess it depends how your car is used. If it is used often I would think even
an inch might concern me. If not used a lot like most of our cars it might be ok. Time will tell. As far as adjusting the clearance
would be hard with the side pipes as they are pretty solid in there position. Thanks again>Larry

[Leif A.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Leif;Thanks for the response. Even an inch seems "close" to me. I know your nice car is not a car driven daily like they
where when brand new so this is probably helping the car have no issues. I just wonder though that in time will it cause
issues?? Thanks>Larry

Larry,
You're correct, I don't drive her every day...but, I do drive her 6000 miles a year...everyday weather permitting...never less than 40 miles. Never have had a problem. And, again, the clearance is a bit more than an inch.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

My 67 300 auto PS factory side pipes looks just like yours.

[Larry E.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

My 67 300 auto PS factory side pipes looks just like yours.

Hay Kenneth>How about a picture of it?? Thanks>Larry

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Larry,

Here’s a couple of pictures of my 67 L79. Sitting straight ahead, the steering damper is about 1 1/2” from the side pipe. I have no signs of any leaking, but mine is not power steering. (Not sure why the pictures flipped, maybe because I used and iPad)

Don

[Edward J.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Larry, the make a lot of hi temp wraps, maybe this will cut down on the heat some? If it’s the piston that is absorbing the heat, then maybe removing as you say until you have car judged. Another thing to think about is the piston a service replacement that is likely made over seas?

[Larry E.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Thanks Edward and Donald for the pictures and replies. My 66 is a trailer queen so I'll probably be OK but for a driven car
on a real hot day it still looks too close for comfort. Has got to be some tremendous heat there. But what do I know?? Larry
P.S. Did find a original #3178100 off a low mileage 64 dated 98-64. Not sure if judges look for the dates on these??

[David M.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Do NOT remove the damper.
DO wrap it with an exhaust blanket.

I have had a ton of success with this clamp style as well as the safety wire style:

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/3208...st+heat+shield

[Leif A.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Larry,
With all due respect, I think your looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. In the last ten years, I've driven my '67 over 50,000 miles with absolutely no issues. That's driving in Texas where we're currently going through a stretch of over 18 days of 100+ degree temperatures ...with many more to follow. I can't imagine a more real world, brutal heat test. I just don't believe this is now, or ever has been, a problem.

[Larry E.]

Re: 66 Base Engine W/Side Pipes and Steering Damper Shock (Close Fit) Question

Larry,
With all due respect, I think your looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. In the last ten years, I've driven my '67 over 50,000 miles with absolutely no issues. That's driving in Texas where we're currently going through a stretch of over 18 days of 100+ degree temperatures ...with many more to follow. I can't imagine a more real world, brutal heat test. I just don't believe this is now, or ever has been, a problem.

Leif: Thanks again for your response; you could be correct. But then which part would have more issues(If Any) with heat>Your
Ram or the end of the shock that hooks to the frame?? Larry P.S. It looks from the pictures the Non-Power Steering Shock Hook
up is
closer to the exhaust pipe then the Power Steering Ram. JMHO