My '53 Chevy pickup is nearing completion of mounting the engine. While rebuilding the engine, I found a pair of new Vortec heads and installed them rather than the fuelie heads the engine originally came with. I bought a breaker ignition distributor and converted it to an electronic ignition for an older look. Plus, the smaller distributor will not hit the firewall. My old Rochester carb will top off the engine.

I found a pair of ramshorn exhaust manifolds to go with the old school theme and when I mounted them, I found they ride too high on the Vortec heads and actually hit the valve covers. I heard that ramshorn manifolds are restrictive and that I should use block hugger headers and forget old school look altogether. I don't like headers and really don't, at age 69, need as much power as I can get out of the small block. I have the newer style manifolds that I could use but I prefer the ramshorns.

I dropped the engine into the engine compartment and also discovered that the ramshorn manifolds are very close to the frame rails(less than half an inch on either side) and I fear that with acceleration, the manifolds may actually hit the frame.

I would like to know if the ramshorn manifolds are restrictive and if anyone has used them with vortec heads? I saw a spacer online that claims to rectify the mounting problem but I know the spacer would cause the manifolds to hit the frame. Any opinions about Rochester carbs? I personally like them because of the small primaries and huge secondaries.

Thanks for any replies. You folks have helped me in the past and I value your opinions and advice.

Starlightcoupe(my dream car)