Porta power to get header iff the torsion bar?

[koosh]

On a 68 Charger, the header inner primary tube on both sides press up against the torsion bars…. If i had a porta-power or small hydraulic jack, can i bend those tubes away from the torsion bars, using the torsion bars to push against ?
Or would it wreck the bars?
I figured the tubes are hollow and bars solid steel…..

 

[Doorkicker]

Best to mark the tube, pull the headers, and bend the header tubes on a bench. The jack will almost certainly mess up the torsion bar. Depending on how bad they're rubbing, my first try (to avoid removing the headers) would be to heat up the tube and hit with a hammer.

 

[eldubb440]

I wouldn't hesitate to jack the header over, make sure all the bolts are tight up top.......it'll move

 

[Doorkicker]

I wouldn't hesitate to jack the header over, make sure all the bolts are tight up top.......it'll move

Using the torsion bar as the base?

 

[6PKRTSE]

Using the torsion bar as the base?

No, use the frame rail to push off of.

 

[themechanic]

I used a concrete anchor and eye hook to attach a turnbuckle to bend my passenger side away from the torsion bar. You need to overshoot your goal by an inch or so due to the metal memory.

 

[koosh]

I used a concrete anchor and eye hook to attach a turnbuckle to bend my passenger side away from the torsion bar. You need to overshoot your goal by an inch or so due to the metal memory.

Can you describe in detail this method you used? Is this anchor in the floor? I don’t have anything like that…

 

[joe68]

I've used leverage from a long metal pole stuck in the end of the header to bend it out and gain a little clearance.

 

[Cranky]

Been hearing some about this problem with others....what brand are the tubes?

 

[MoparLeo]

Take them off. You are just looking for something ad to happen prying or pushing against suspension parts.
Remember that the headers are bolted to the heads so you are also putting pressure on the headers flanges and bolts when you are forcing the tubes to move.
Mark the tube and remove it and heat it up and bend for clearance. Depending on how much clearance you want you can just ding the tube with the ball end of a ball/pein hammer or use a deep socket, impact would be the best and using the side of the socket, put it in line where the torsion bar will be and put a radius on the tube using the socket to replace where the torsion bar needs clearance.
You will have much better control with what you are doing when it is on a bench with no obstructions, than trying to do it in the car.
Surgical, not butchering.

 

[eldubb440]

I've used leverage from a long metal pole stuck in the end of the header to bend it out and gain a little clearance.

my Dad used to say; "give me a lever, and I can move the Earth"

he was correct

 

[koosh]

Been hearing some about this problem with others....what brand are the tubes?

Hooker competition

 

[koosh]

Take them off. You are just looking for something ad to happen prying or pushing against suspension parts.
Remember that the headers are bolted to the heads so you are also putting pressure on the headers flanges and bolts when you are forcing the tubes to move.
Mark the tube and remove it and heat it up and bend for clearance. Depending on how much clearance you want you can just ding the tube with the ball end of a ball/pein hammer or use a deep socket, impact would be the best and using the side of the socket, put it in line where the torsion bar will be and put a radius on the tube using the socket to replace where the torsion bar needs clearance.
You will have much better control with what you are doing when it is on a bench with no obstructions, than trying to do it in the car.
Surgical, not butchering.

If i had a good back, and a car lift, i would remove them for sure…. Unfortunately, i cannot make that happen