JBA Shorty Headers Clearance

[jmohara]

Hi all,
   This has been covered a bit, but I am fitting JBA shorty headers on Left hand drive 1985 MKIV. The passenger side fit really nice.
   Drivers side appear very tight.
   Some post seem to indicate they had to cut them. others seem to have got them to fit.
   Any advice would be amazing.
   Thanks
   Michael

[jmohara]

No one any thoughts for me?
   M

[westcott]

Hi Jim,
   
   the JBA shorties#1624S-4JT fit in my engine bay perfectly.
   Just the distance to the original installed heat shields is a few millimeters on the left. It is not vibrating or creating any other problem it is just very close.
   
   The problem itself is  the rubber edge U-profile on the lh shield. It will melt were the lh header is close to it but not burn. If you don't like the situation remove the original edge trim and replace it by a new one cutted out in the specific area. Save the original parts together with your headers for a future rebuild.
   
   Or replace the original heat shields by glued heat protection available in the market, you will save some 10mm and clear the lh header.

[jmohara]

I have no idea how you are getting these to fit! I would need another good inch to get these in...
   I guess the cars were all different!

[westcott]

They went in mounted to the engine, it was tight on LH but worked. Distance from the mounted headers to the factory installed heat shield LH is 2-4 mm on the bends.
   
   The engine is not sitting in the middle and not horizontally, i needed to adjust the engine mounts to the frame because the engine was tilt to the left lower and sitting a bit left.
   During the disassembly I found 10mm spacers only between lh engine mount and engine from the factory installation.
   I think they were needed to level the engine.
   
   What part# are your headers?
   
   http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2093&whichpage=2

[jmohara]

These ones 1624S-4JT
   I think the challenge is that I have the engine still in the car - but honestly the delta is quite big.
   I may get them modified...