header installation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg VA
header installation
Ordering the hooker headers tonight 
trying to install them this weekend. Anyone have any tips on installing them? Any clue about how long it might take me? Its a 71 big block with air conditioning.
trying to install them this weekend. Anyone have any tips on installing them? Any clue about how long it might take me? Its a 71 big block with air conditioning.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
The Hookers ought to go on easily. I have no clearance problems with my 454 and headers. Can do both sides in about 30 minutes...hooking up the collectors and putting in the plugs is what took some time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Both sides in 30 minutes were with the exhaust manifolds already off..... 
You might as well figure on 1/2 day, by the time you remove the wires, plugs, pull the cast manifolds, bolt up headers and collectors. Nothing ever goes has planned.
tip : Soak your header gaskets in the sink so they swell a little and seal better (unless your using copper).
You might as well figure on 1/2 day, by the time you remove the wires, plugs, pull the cast manifolds, bolt up headers and collectors. Nothing ever goes has planned.
tip : Soak your header gaskets in the sink so they swell a little and seal better (unless your using copper).
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
They are a super upgrade for a C3 vette, I think youll love em.
I Installed them on my small block a few years ago. Its pretty straightforward youll get instructions too. Its a one man job but another set of hands when it comes time to bolt to the heads makes it easier. I took some pics of my install If you want to see how it went.
www.weavermill.com/exhaust/hookers.htm
I Installed them on my small block a few years ago. Its pretty straightforward youll get instructions too. Its a one man job but another set of hands when it comes time to bolt to the heads makes it easier. I took some pics of my install If you want to see how it went.
www.weavermill.com/exhaust/hookers.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Which headers did you order? (It is critical to get the right part#) Are you getting ceramic coating? The A/C could make installation more difficult. I have a 68 bigblock (no A/C) and it took me over a year to install my Hooker Supercomps 
because I could not remove the drivers side exhaust manifold!!! But I am mechanically challenged. Once I got over that hurdle it wasn't too tough.
An unexpected benefit for me with the coated headers is that my bigblock runs much cooler now.
Attaching the headers to the rest of the exhaust system was another major challenge, and wasn't done properly until I took it to a pro.
because I could not remove the drivers side exhaust manifold!!! But I am mechanically challenged. Once I got over that hurdle it wasn't too tough.An unexpected benefit for me with the coated headers is that my bigblock runs much cooler now.
Attaching the headers to the rest of the exhaust system was another major challenge, and wasn't done properly until I took it to a pro.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg VA
Well headers have been ordered...1-7/8 ceramic coated for those of you who didn't know...started disassembling the cast iron exhaust today...most of my friends were busy so i enlisted the help of my girlfriend...bad idea...anyways worked for about 3 hours and all i got done was the drivers side i'll post pics after i finish everything...cut a few fingers certainly said those words not yet in the dictionary 
but I'm half way to removing everything and I haven't messed anything up too bad yet. I'll start the passengers side tomorrow after work...which is after school...which starts at 8...that takes me 45 minutes to get to with no traffic...makes for a long day, but I'll update after I'm done working tomorrow.
but I'm half way to removing everything and I haven't messed anything up too bad yet. I'll start the passengers side tomorrow after work...which is after school...which starts at 8...that takes me 45 minutes to get to with no traffic...makes for a long day, but I'll update after I'm done working tomorrow.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
I'm installing mine this weekend too - also ceramic coated (Sandersons). Since the instructions indicated that too hot of an exhaust on new coated headers can ruin them, I plan on bringing the car up to temp just long enough to get them hot (the first time), then stopping it and let the headers cool back down. The next time will be longer, etc. Does Hooker mention anything like this??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Sick of these TOOLS & AZZHATS in DC
I got Hookers with pipes coming from JetHot in the next week or so....they were supposed to be here at the end of this week but there was a bit of a delay....thank you hurricane Dennis. Got my spiral baffles off the big brown truck yesterday....so I am "chompin' at the bit"!! Can't WAIT to get 'em on so that I can let the neighbors know. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Originally Posted by NC C3
I got Hookers with pipes coming from JetHot in the next week or so....they were supposed to be here at the end of this week but there was a bit of a delay....thank you hurricane Dennis. Got my spiral baffles off the big brown truck yesterday....so I am "chompin' at the bit"!! Can't WAIT to get 'em on so that I can let the neighbors know.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg VA
Well we've reached problem number 1, I have no idea how to get the headers off without removing the a/c...its just not possible, which was kinda expected. How can I remove the a/c? Any other advice?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg VA
The other road I don't want to have to take would be to take the car somewhere and have them figure it out...I would hate to waste all the labor in removing the drivers side is there any way I could install the drivers side header and leave passengers side manifold where it is? Seems like this has the potential to mess something up but I have no clue any thoughts?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by NC C3
I got Hookers with pipes coming from JetHot in the next week or so....they were supposed to be here at the end of this week but there was a bit of a delay....thank you hurricane Dennis. Got my spiral baffles off the big brown truck yesterday....so I am "chompin' at the bit"!! Can't WAIT to get 'em on so that I can let the neighbors know.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer MI
I have a set of Hooker chrome side exhaust if you are interested. I purchased the set for my 1975 but have since installed a big block. Click here to find out what they are. Click here to see what they look like on a car.
The set is brand new.
Bradley Friend
bradley.friend@us.army.mil
The set is brand new.
Bradley Friend
bradley.friend@us.army.mil
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,248
Likes: 4
From: Lancaster PA
Originally Posted by rosslato
make sure to smear anti seize between header and sidepipe or else they be a PITA to get apart in the future
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
Originally Posted by soccer794
Well we've reached problem number 1, I have no idea how to get the headers off without removing the a/c...its just not possible, which was kinda expected. How can I remove the a/c? Any other advice?
http://www.corvetteparts.com/details/iid/91092601.htm
theres no picture but i think thats what you need
Last edited by chris75stingray; Aug 10, 2005 at 11:00 PM.
