4.3 manifold vs headers...help?

Since I got so many responses saying that I shouldn't have to shift my transmission and transfer case to the right, I went ahead and fixed it up so that the engine is in line with the original mountings for the tranny/t-case (t90/d18.). Now, even if I get a new alternator bracket, I'm still going to have to figure out how to make the exhaust work. The driver side dumps right on top of the frame rail. Did any of you that did the 4.3 use the stock manifolds (Astro van), or did you run headers?

 

mine is a little to the passenger side, with some manifolds slightly modified from a g-body 200ci 3.3l engine
i would try two passenger manifolds, look at the factory dauntless jeep
or a gmc typhoon / cyclone for ideas... R)

 

Hey Joe - thanks for the info! Any chance you could shoot me a picture of that? I'd love to see how you've got your exhaust run with your steering - and really, the whole engine setup. The more I can see, the fewer stupid things I do!

 

you can click the pics as a link to more pics, most are interference shots as stuff didn't line up
I squeezed mine in without cutting the body. the driverside manifold had the last little 5deg bend cut out but the heat from the manifold makes the steering difficult, short water pump, oil filter relocated, and ran an underdrive pulley to clear the lower hose bib, the transmission crossmember is in its stock location but the trans is about 1.5 inch to the passengerside to clear the brake master. i kept the generator to mount my hydro pump otherwise it would have an alternator. the clutch throw out arm got shortened,
I would likely go to swinging pedals and power steering to clear out some room at the frame and have some modern touches in the driver comfort department.



here is my build as well
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?70907-Rebuild-for-quot-miles-quot/page5

 

With a exhaust manifold from a 81' Chevy El Camino with a 229 V-6 hugs the block closer.

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that is what I used! my 79 manifolds don't have the holes drilled for AIR like that
is that t-90 in its original location and do you have any clutch issues from the exhaust heat? my Ross box is not happy in the city.

 

If you still have a Ross box a rear dump manifold is going to be a challenge. I'm not familiar wih the 4.3 but you might be able to use a passenger side manifold. You can then route the pipe over and y into the other side at the turn.

 

Yes, except I moved the hole engine, trans, and cross member over 1" to the passenger side. I did have heat issues with the slave cylinder. I solved it by making a heat shield out of sheet metal and clamping it the pipe with hose clamps.

 

Wow! Thanks for all the help and replies! I actually have a manual Saginaw box up by the front bumper, so that's not an issue. If I can scoot the transmission over I suppose I should be fine...but I'll have to move the d18 too I assume. That's the part I'm nervous about...especially that metal ring that holds the torque mount. I'm working with pretty basic tools.

 

I'm not sure what i did about that ring, it might come off with a bfh and chisel,
I know i just slid it over 1.5" on the crossmember and drilled its new home, I'll check that next time I'm there
some cut metal from the passenger side and weld it to the driverside, some make plates that offset the crossmember