Various topics ...

[Brian Safford <hzf9vv@xxxxxxxxx>]

Well, I should have done it right the first time years ago when I
installed my TTI headers on my Poly, but I guess I was too d*mn
impatient ...

The installation instructions included a motor mount modification that
allowed you to move the engine back 1/2" so the headers would clear
the idler arm.

I didn't do that modification, and probably due to how friggin'
difficult it was to get the header bolts on and tightened, when I
found out it rubbed pretty good I decided to put a 1/2 shim between
the motor mount base and the plate it bolts to to raise the motor.
That seemed to work okay, but has bugged me ever since.

Fast-forward to present time ... where I've been slowly removing
engine parts in an effort to find/remove all the black silicone that
jerkball used ... I've decided to do that motor mount modification
after all.

Unless ... does anyone thing I could take the headers to a shop and
have them modified so they'll fit ?

Also, they're pretty ugly ... can they be cleaned and made to look like new?

Oh, and I found small traces of oil dripping down the flex plate ...
I'm assuming that's not supposed to be there.  The afore-mentioned
jerkball was supposed to have installed a new rear main seal ( he said
mine was installed backwards ) ... and I just found more black
silicone, this time oozing out from the rear main caps ... *sigh*

Other than the obvious danger of having the crank fall on my head,
would it make sense for me to bite the bullet and dis-assemble the
lower end and install a new rear main seal?

Apologies for the various topics here ... am trying to take up some of
the slack left by Don D's vacation ... :-)

Regards to all,
Brian Safford
'62 Dart 440 4-door / Poly 318