M38 with 225 steering question

We just picked up a ranch m38 and it had some rusty headers on the 225 so I found a stock set of exhaust manifolds and I am now trying to put them in and I'm hitting the Ross steering box??? Anyone have an idea what way to go?

 

Pics

 

I don't think that manifold is the correct front dump manifold for the early CJ?

 

No? what one should I look for?

 

A 225 "should" clear the steering with a front dump manifold.

 

It hits enough so it won't and while running and vibrating will be worse. This was supposed to be quick and easy!!!

 

If the front dump manifold doesn't clear, then I wonder what was used before...

Do you know if it was run after being put in the m38?
They had to fit something on that thing...

 

Headers but they were all rotted out so I pulled them

 

Most likely your engine is in a little bit different position than a stock :v6:

 

Yep. It's a M38, so no guarantee that the engine position will allow the iron manifolds.

Maybe the Novak block-huggers will work: http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/headers/buick_90_degree_v6_headers.htm

Or, move the engine to allow the manifolds. Or go Saginaw. Does anybody here have a flatty with a 225 and Ross steering?

 

I have never actually compared the Ross box position between a flatty and the later CJ's, but was of the opinion that they were either very close or identical. The manifold in question does not appear to be a stock 225 manifold used in the CJ's. If someone else doesn't have a pic of those, I still have a pair hanging on the shop wall. I don't think they have that "flange" that may be causing the problem.

 

I will look at my other 225 to see manifolds but if anyone has any I may have to start looking.

 

I looked at the manifold on my '70, and its quite different from the one in your pic. It doesn't have that flat flange area and it sits a little closer yo the block. Even so, its quite close to the steering box. I can't fit a finger between the box and manifold.

 

I don't think the flange is the only issues it seems it may hit below on the curve of manifold. I wonder what manifolds these are for? I still have to look at my 67

 

This is a 52 m38

 

I put a 225 in a CJ2A with the stock manifolds and steering, no issues with clearance, but the I used engine mounts cut from a factory V6 frame and had the same engine location as a factory V6 jeep.

 

Poor quality picture, but the jeep's pretty buried.

You can see the lack of flange that others discussed.

 

For sure does anyone have the exhaust manifolds like those?