How To Install Headers For Newbies

[Anonymous]

Alright, Well when I first signed up for the forum I asked whether or not I should Swap the 302 I have for the Inline six in my stang. Well I chose to keep the inline. Well, then I asked questions about what I should get because I was only allowed $1,200.00 for a rebuild (of the engine) and as many other parts I can get with the extra cash. Well The rebuild cost me $880.00. I was left with around 320.00 or so.

Well so far I have spent about $1,800.00 On stuff (rebuild 880.00, headers 260.00, holley 2300 240.00, adapter for carb 70.00, new valve cover 40.00, 100.00 for a new torque converter, 160.00 to install exhaust system) and that was way more then what we were planning on spending. Im still gonna need new air cleaner.

To my question now, I don't want to spend any more money for someone to install my headers. People around here aren't willing to help out a 17 year old with a car project I guess, and they charge for everything. So, (1)I was wondering if maybe it was sort of easy to install headers? Like I don't really know too much about doing that.
(2)So like does anyone have a how to (maybe w/ pics) of how to install inline headers?

Thanks -- Teppei

 

[rbohm]

8) installing headers on an inline six is much easier than on a V8. that said, first do you have a/c on the car? if so then your work is a bit harder as you need to relocate the a/c compressor for header clearance ar ound the first tube. you need to remove the exhaust manifold, clean the gasket surface on the head, and slide the new header in place. dont use a gasket yet as you are just test fitting the headers, and locating where you will cut the exhaust pipe so you can hook the rest of the exhaust to the header. if you get a single outlet header then you just need to cut the exhaust pipe and weld it to the street hookup. if you have a dual outlet header, then you need the 2 to 1 Y adaptor which connects to the header outlets. once you have the system mocked up, you can now install the needed gaskets, and bolt everything into place. either have the Y pipe welded into place, or have a new exhaust system installed. overall the job is easy, just take your time and remember to measure twice and cut once.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, well Im going to try and attempt to install the headers on today. Umm, one thing....Do I put the headers on then put the engine into the car, or do i put the engine into the car and then put the headers on? Also, when i ordered the headers from mike, it didn't come with bolts or anything, do i use the stock ones from the old manifold thinG?

 

[Mike]

It sounds to me that you're right on budget. What ever your budget is multiply by two. You will still be short (but closer). That's why it vtook me twenty years to complete. Good luck.

Mike

 

[chandler]

u said you didnt get any bolts with your headers, i just got my exhaust in at the end of the summer and i couldnt find my bolts either, they were in a bag taped inside of one of the collectors

 

[Asa]

i'd install the engine, then install the headers
makes sure they won't get dinged up when lowering it in

 

[Anonymous]

Alrighty, hehe .. thanks. Your right, I found the bolts in the pipes (newbish me) well thanks for ya'll input, its 9.54am here, the engine is gonna be put in my car @ 11.30. So we'll see how it goes from there!

 

[Ronn]

Update us! You have my attention!

 

[Anonymous]

Alright, I did it. Man, I put way too much pressure on myself. It wasn't that hard at all. The only hard part was to keep the gasket straight on there.. hehe. Man, my engine is done and all installed. Looks pretty good. The holley 2300 isn't in there yet because the adapter is still yet to come, so when that comes ill show the before and after pic of the engine bay. Umm, right now its with open headers, OMG!! Sooo freakin' loud, hehe. Everyone stares like a 3 blocks away. Im going to get the exhaust system installed tomorrow. I went to kragens today and bought 2 cherry bombs. So that should help some?

 

[Asa]

cherry bombs?
yeah, that'll change the exhaust note, and move it so you won't have it directly in your ear anymore, but it'll still be pretty loud

with the gasket, for the future, try this
put the header in the engine bay, install the first and last bolts just so that they grip and hold the header up
once you've done that, drop the gasket down in there (it might take some modification to the gasket to do this, but i believe Mike sells the ones that don't need that), then start all the bolts
once you've got that done, it should be cake