Possible to remove headers while in engine bay?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Possible to remove headers while in engine bay?
Hey y'all,
I was wondering if it was at all possible to remove the headers off the engine while it was still in the bay. It's for a 78' that has a 350 sb. I kinda wanted to respray the headers without having to lift the engine...
I was wondering if it was at all possible to remove the headers off the engine while it was still in the bay. It's for a 78' that has a 350 sb. I kinda wanted to respray the headers without having to lift the engine...
Last edited by Flysoar; Jan 31, 2018 at 10:18 AM. Reason: Misspeol
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,370
Likes: 6,361
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
All small block Chevy headers I have ever installed and removed can be removed & installed with the engine bolted down to the engine mounts. You may need to remove other components to get full access, such as accessory brackets, plugs & plug wires, clutch Z-shaft, etc., but the headers will drop out the bottom of the car if you have enough ground clearance. Some makes, like Pontiac, require that the engine mounts be unbolted, and the engine must be lifted up in order to remove or install headers. That's not the case with SB Chevys. 
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Lars
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Lars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've installed the sidemount headers on my 69 BB a few times on my Kwik-Lift. They go up from the bottom and it takes some wiggle, but they go in pretty easy- it's holding them up and starting bolts that is tough.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 226
From: PA
Most probably can do it without lifting the engine
Many years ago put a set of Cassler's in my '80 (they were basically a copy of standard Hooker long tubes). Went in without lifting the engine. As others have said, you'll likely need to remove some accessories. I recall pulling off the AC, but that was probably in part due to a bracket for it mount onto the exhaust manifold. As I recall one was easier going in from the top and the other from the bottom. Don't recall which was which.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Hooker Competition on my '81. Driver's side about 30 minutes to remove. Passenger side a little more challenging with ac compressor. About an hour with some help holding the compressor. Both come in from the bottom. No need to fiddle with the motor mounts.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
I did mine while the motor was bolted in(as stated earlier). I had the oil filter off, a/c unbolted, starter off, battery disconnected, CAR WAS UP ON FLOOR JACKS to gain some room to easily slid them up from below. A second person on top to hold them in place would be a bonus, but I got by doing it by myself. Started bolts from the bottom to hold in place. Sometimes getting the gaskets in place and getting a bolt started is fun
Last edited by lvmyvt76; Jan 31, 2018 at 04:17 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 2
From: St. Catharines Ontario
As others said it is totally doable and really not that hard...
I took mine out in my '78 out a few years ago to paint them.
Remove plug wires, Passenger side remove starter, remove headers.
Remember to replace header gaskets with good quality ones...you don't really want to do it again.
I took mine out in my '78 out a few years ago to paint them.
Remove plug wires, Passenger side remove starter, remove headers.
Remember to replace header gaskets with good quality ones...you don't really want to do it again.
Good point: Remove the oil filter. 
