GTAman

iTrader: (2)

hey guys,

just put on these hedman headers # 68470. Driver's side when in perfectly! Passenger side is giving me trouble. it seems like it's hitting either the frame rail or the EVAP hard line there. i only managed to get two bolts in near the middle. other bolts don't want to go in straight. any ideas?

nickyakker

iTrader: (1)

I had the same issue when installing my flowtech headers, seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlKaTbEpGZM , Im taking the header out completly and carbide burr the frame. cuz i only need a half inch in that one spot., Also try jacking up passenger side of the engine- take the motor mount bolt out if you have to and bolt the header in then slowly drop it down and make sure you have your clearances

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

wow. don't really want to do anything to the frame. I'll have to try that motor lifting technique. thanks for the info!

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

finally got it fitted! i didn't have to lift the engine or notch the frame or any of that. what WAS a problem was the holes on the flange did not match up to the holes on the gasket and vise versa. Here's what i did so if anyone else has this problem they can over come it with ease:

1) take gasket and use some bolts to hold it on the head. don't tighten them all the way down, just use them to keep the gasket on.

2) look and see what lines up and what doesn't between the head and gasket. in my case, all holes lined up perfectly with the gasket, with the exception of the front most hole. yours could or could not have this. at this point make the proper adjustments to the gasket with a file or a dremel.

3) now that you know that your gasket is good, take the gasket and bring it over to the header and place it on the flange. what this does is, since you verified that every hole on the gasket lines up with all the holes on the head, you can use the gasket as almost like a copy of the head itself. Instead of balancing a flashlight, header, and trying to look to see if the holes are square!

4) with the gasket positioned on the header flange, line up the two middle bolt and exhaust port holes. they should match pretty good, unless the header was made completely wrong. once positioned, use something to clamp and hold down the gasket and flange together. you can use vice grips with some padding, clamps, whatever will hold it down. it doesn't have to be ridiculously tight.

5) now compare the holes of the flange and the gasket and see what's different. in my case, the front hole (when on the car) of the header wasn't lining up with the hole in the gasket. thus, when i went to install the bolt, it would not go in because the gasket was in between the bolt and hole in the head. it was the only thing wrong everything else was good. what i did was take a small round file, and take a little off the gasket material aka "gasket matching" for those in the know. i also went a step further to ease installation and bevelled the bolt holes on the header flange on the side that meets the head (not the holes on the head itself!). that way you can angle the bolt more.

6) once this is all done, you can put the header and gasket on the engine. normal installation procedures apply (don't cross thread bolts in the holes, don't tighten bolts until they're all in, don't curse at your mother, etc...) and with that you should have a mean sounding, better performing F-body! i hope this helps someone.

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

also, it's a good idea to invest in a mini starter. clears with room to spare. also, i forgot if the instructions say this, but take the starter off! with it off, i was able to put it on from the top. the only time i had to go under the car was to tighten the last bolt all the way in the back.

Stu's '85 IROC

iTrader: (2)

Hello, I was just wondering if you recall what shape header gaskets you used? I am putting headers on my '85 TPI 305 Camaro and no one can seem to tell me what shape the header gaskets are. I want to order copper ones before I rip it apart. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

what part of the header gaskets do you need to know the shape of? the exhaust ports?

Stu's '85 IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yes where the headers bolt to the engine.

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

the ports are circular. keep in mind the heads on my car are chevy aluminum angle plug heads from a corvette.