SEPERATE THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND RAISE THE MOTOR A FEW INCHES!!!!!

I was installing my new headers today, and just could not get these in. This is my third set, btw. First set was flowtech shorties, second set was heddman longtubes, and this set is heddman shorties. I have to say that these were by far the worst going in.

At the same time I was doing this, I was also changing my oil pan gasket. As many of you know, this involves seperating the motor mounts and raising the motor to clear the K-member. I decided to blow off some steam and change the oil pan gasket, and maybe try and put in the headers while the motor was up. All I have to say is WOW. They slipped right the hell in. Turned this day: pulling crap apart, trying different install angles, wedging tricks, and probably at least a couple header dents. Into this day: Seperate the motor mounts, pull spark plugs.

It took all of 10 minutes to take out the two bolts, and half of that was looking for my 16mm box end wrench.

Moral of story: 10 minute anger free job is better than 4 hours of frusteration.

Also a side note- The headman LT's were probably the easiest going in, surprisingly enough. Was about an hour and one dent on the primary that interferred with the control arm. The flowtech shorties were about 2.5 hours, no dents but did have to take an inch out of the bellhousing tab for the flywheel cover for a smooth install.

Just thought I'd share that bit of info for anyone who is gonna be doing this. Good luck

 

ya, i've been trying to tell people that but everyone is like "don't waste your time doing that"....i did my first header install back in may and that's what i did....also i found if u took the mounts out, that u could just push the motor side to side....i had to take my headers out (to send them back to ACS) and from popping the hood to the headers on the ground was maybe 3-4 hours or so with a break (taking Y-pipe off, AC comp, air cleaner, ect..all the little things) i'm sure alot of people do it quicker but like i sed, i've only done it once....o i also loosen the tranny mount bolt...just in case, bcuz the tranny goes up too.

 

I don't have ac, smog, ps, and I made an AC delete box and have duals. My install was about 15 min

It works great doing it this way though, and it doesn't require any modifications to the car or headers if the headers were designed well.

 

I did this, helped tons.

 

well i hope mine goes easy... i just put the engine back in a couple of days ago, no tranny or accessories yet. trying to get the wiring done (rerouting some of it) and use the most logical process to do all this. i still have all the front suspension off, too, so i guess that's another advantage. gonna put the starter back on, oil cooler and lines and then the headers. this is my first time, so it looks like the pass side is best dropped in and the driver side - drop in or come up from the underside? thanks.

KAM

 

actually you would have been best to put the headers on before you dropped the engine in heh. But I am glad to hear that something simple like this helps to do the install as well

 

Sweet!

i'll be swapping my shorties out for LT's this week. i had thought about removing the mounts but wasn't sure if that would help.


i can't wait to hear the LT's with sidepipes and FM 40's :rockon:

 

When I did this set, it was both sides from the top. When I did my other sets it was both from the bottom. Might differ between your engine setup and your particular headers though. I also had to pull my starter, oil filter, and oil pressure switch for all three sets, so you might want to leave those for last. You'd be amazed at how easy it is to get to though without the factory manifolds and y-pipe in.

Glad I could help guys, hope this helps your installs go a bit smoother