Bigger crowbar got me a very small space between the header. Loosened both ends of the oil tube and put pressure on it with a bottle jack and re tightened everything. Got about .050 space. Will see how it works. Pretty sure the tube got damaged when my first wife put a rod through the side of the original block. That’s another story.  .

The headers and the oil tube are both firmly attached to the engine so engine movement won’t affect the clearance. Going to try a bigger crowbar on the headers and if that doesn’t work I’ll address the oil tube. Thinking about loosening it and applying pressure while re tightening it it bending it. 

The headers will move with the engine, and it won’t move much with the FPA steady rest set up. Trying to bend those headers isn’t the answer. A dimple will work if needed. I sent you (slumlord) a pm.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Your engine will move around a bit while running, accelerating/decelerating. You'll need more space than what's required when it's not running.  

Talked to FPA today. Never heard of this problem before. Suggested denting the header as a last resort. Suggested prying it away. Was able to easily get it to move but it keeps springing back. Will try a bigger pry bar tomorrow. If that doesn’t work I’ll try loosening the oil pipe and see if I can move it. Don’t need much. Just need a little clearance. If nothing else works I can always remove the header and put a dent in it. Won’t take much.  

Thanks. Good idea.  

Slumlord, if the headers are under warranty, any modification you do to make them fit probably will void the warranty. When you contact FPA, I would request any approval to alter/modify them to fit to be in writing. CYA! 

I plan on calling FPA tomorrow. I’m wondering if I can pry the header over enough with my crowbar without destroying anything? It won’t take much to get the header off of the oil tube. 

I'm waiting for a reply from "Troy"; he doesn't have Mummert's aluminum heads, so you might want to ask John. 

I have the Mummert heads if it makes a difference.