ok, i'm sorta a noob on working on my TA bcuz i haven't had to do anything to it yet. i did a tune up on it (plugs, wires, cap...) and it was a PAIN IN MY A$$ so i'm sorta ify about doing my own headers. so i did a search and did find one post that's helped me a little (post) but i need more. like a list on what to do, what to remove, unbolt the engine from the mounts and jack it up? any thing that all of u have found to make it go easier. i thought this topic was a sticky but it was for the hooker LT and not shorties and that's what i need. this should be a sticky

so to recap: i'm not a tech, and i need a procedure list on what to do and any tips u have found. and i'll be taking my time with this and working on it maybe an hour a night after work. (people don't seem to be happy while doing headers installs )

 

Im kinda in the same boat as you, im trying to throw in some SLP headers I just recently bought (I cheated, I pulled my LT1 exhaust manifolds off before throwing the engine in the car). However, I am having a hard time getting the headers to line up, im gonna follow that guys advice in the thread and loosen a motor mount and tilt the engine with my cherry picker.

 

i'm sure that there are a bunch of people who can help me on this. and another thing i forgot to ask is what tools did u use that u don't think u could of done without ( other than the obvious like wrenches and sockets)

 

For every job you do on your car you should always have the BFH handy

 

BFH....ok now i know i'm new at this,........ but what is BFH???

 

Sorry Kinda meant it as a joke. BFH= Big F***** Hammer.

I can't remember which side it was, but I did have to lift my motor up to install one header. And you also will probably have to fabricate a new bracket to mount you dipstick to cause the stock bracket that bolts to the original manifold won't work with headers. That's all I can remember right now but I'll post up more tips if I remember. (I put my headers in a looooong time ago) Hope this helps

 

ahhhhh.... ic ......BFH......o man well just taking a quick look i might unbolt the tranny X member and unbolt the motor mounts and jack the engine up and i "figure" that i will have up and down along with some side to side movement. and i say "figure" bcuz i'm not sure and i'm hoping that's right.

 

heh, actually i used a hammer and a hatchet, yea long story, but you'll use an assortment of funny tools to get those stupid manifold bolts out.

Actually im doing what you're planning on (except after swim practice not work). I got the 2055's and will prolly write somethingg up when im done and put it up.

I've got 2 different sized breaker bars, those are very nice.
PB blaster
FastOrange (cleans up the grease nicely)
those little magnets on a stick are nice to have too.

I think its the passenger side you need to jack up, where are the motor mount bolts (im not that far yet, 3 bolts left).

people have fabbed dipstick brackets up with coat hanger so i woulndt worry about that too much.

-chuck

 

ssxmac, that would be great, i was thinking that if i jack the entire engine up (altho more work) would make things easier. i was also thinking if me having a carb and all the vac lines if it would makes things a little more of a pain

 

im in the middle of putting my hedmans in right now. for the pass. side i had to take the starter out and the spark plugs then the hedder dropped right in, this side was the easy side. for the drivers side i had to take out the engine mount bolt and jack the enigine up, take the plugs out, and actually take out the windshield wiper motor. they both went in from the top. when you get the hedders ready to bolt in first put the plugs back in and tighten them, then bolt the hedders up. the drivers side is a pain in the *** because the hedder is hitting a few places so i had to dent the tubes a little and take a dremel to the k-member and where the control arm bolts in...you'll see what im talking about if you get the hedman LT.

 

CamaroEFI, i had no plans on getting LT's but i am getting hedmans

 

does anybody else have anything else to add??

 

Jacking is required on the driver's side header..... if I remember correctly..... as CamaroEFI said.