Ok, i have an 82 camaro with a 350 from a 78 blazer. i need to replace the head gaskets on the engine...however, i cant work around the stupid headers. they are welded (or so it appears) to the exhaust pipe. i REAAAALLY dont want to pull the engine in order to get these out. i have all the things out already, i just need to undo these 32 head bolts. the headers are already unbolted blah blah blah.....stupid head bolts. TIA

Mike

 

I'm not real clear on working around the headers being a problem. Aren't the head bolts all inside the head?

 

there are the 16 that are located under the valve covers. i can get to those, no problem. however, there are another set of 16 that are located under the exhaust ports. those are the trouble makers. the heads are from a 305 if that matters.

 

1. Shoot the idiot that welded your headers together.

2. Remove the headers.

3. Rotate the bolts counter-clockwise.

Incidentally, there are 18 under the valve covers, 9 on each side; 7 long and 2 medium. Don't try to take the heads off until you've pulled 17 total out of each head: 7 long, 2 medium, 8 short.

 

ahh yes, the sweet stench of a hillbilly at work.

depending on how he welded it (tig,stick, i would have use a stick welder) i would just torch the headers and replace them with new ones. Unless however you can get the heads off and find other means if the headers seem to be holding up. My expierence with welding manifolds/exhaust systems is not a pleasent walk in the park with mom holding your hand asking if you want some more apple juice.

 

I bet the headers are leak free lol.

Was the guy from West Virginia by chance? Hey wait I live in West Virginia. Stupid hillbillies.

I dont think your gonna have any luck getting the bottom bolts off with headers on. But with enough swivel extentions anythings possible.

 

lol. swivel extensions.....will those even SURVIVE the torque needed to undo the head bolts?

 

Take a hacksaw or a sawzall and cut the exhaust pipe behind the collector. Remove the headers and change your head gaskets. Buy new ARP headbolts, the only way to go in my opinion, reinstall the headers, and then weld the header back to the exhaust system, or buy some new collector flanges and put the bolt together junction back on.

 

thats what i was thinking....but just doing a true dual 3" pipe