What's a good amount of clearence for the side pipes?

[Papa]

I need to open up the body a bit where the side pipes exit and was curious what the gap from the body to the pipes should be to prevent any heat damage down the road. I'm thinking maybe 1/2", but what say the experts?

[Dave Howard]

I have no more than 1/2" at the closest spot and after a boat load of miles, there's NO damage what-so-ever.

[rich grsc]

I had about 3/16 and never had any issue.

[CraigS]

When the engine rocks on hard acceleration, the left side headers move upward. So I'd do 1/2 inch over top of the left side and hold it to more like 3/8 every where else.

[Jeff Kleiner]

What Craig said, maybe a little more at the top if you're using rubber rather than poly mounts. As long as the engine is running properly heat damage isn't an issue---only one I've ever seen that bubbled paint was an FE with glowing headers due to severely retarded timing.

Jeff

[Papa]

Thanks guys!