Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers....
Are Pontiacs...by far....wheather Lemans, Goats, or full size, the header installs are a nightmare...was helping a friend do a complete resto on his 67 Goat, had to make new tranny lines, had to make new brake lines as these lines rested against the header tubes, plus other nightmares bolting the headers to the heads....never again
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (GDaina)
try putting headers on a 66 stang with a 351C wedged in there. had to narrow the shock towers just to get the damn block in there
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,430
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From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (GDaina)
I've put headers on by myself on 2 TransAms, 400ci, (76 and 78) and on my dad's 72 LeMans, 350 ci. No problems at all. :shrug:
I just disconnected the motor mounts, lifted the engine a couple of inches and put a couple of 2x4 pieces in there to hold it up temporarily.
All 3 sets went in slicker than snot.
I just disconnected the motor mounts, lifted the engine a couple of inches and put a couple of 2x4 pieces in there to hold it up temporarily.
All 3 sets went in slicker than snot.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (73sbvert)
If I remember right the 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs were a pretty tight fit. I consider the Vette easy to do. I can have mine off with little trouble.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Republic of Texas
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (GDaina)
My dad is doing a fram off resto on a matching number '67 GTO vert (4speed w/ air) for a local Doctor. I know ehere you are coming from, not much room to work. :nonod:
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: State of Confusion
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (Gordonm)
If I remember right the 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs were a pretty tight fit.
Used to help my buddy with his '68 'Stang 428 that ran 10-flats/130+.
It seemed every few months, he'd hafta tear out the converter or the tranny, necessitating dropping the headers.
...and Ford boasted about their 'better ideas'.....
:mad
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (Corz)
try putting headers on a 66 stang with a 351C wedged in there. had to narrow the shock towers just to get the damn block in there
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
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From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (Bob Turner)
My uncle had to order 3 piece headers for his 71 Challenger with a 528 crate hemi. They bolt together AROUND the steering shaft. I was told they were a real PITA to install.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Perth,Western Australia,Australia
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (GDaina)
My 79 vette is going to be a pain,bringing the steering box to the right,has really narrowed the gap between the exhaust manifold & box.Does anyone know if the block huggers take up the same space as the standard manifolds,if so thats the only route I can take.
By the way,excuse my ignorance,but what is a 67 Goat???
Neil.
By the way,excuse my ignorance,but what is a 67 Goat???
Neil.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (Gordonm)
If I remember right the 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs were a pretty tight fit. I consider the Vette easy to do. I can have mine off with little trouble.
I agree Gordonm. I use to take a full day per side. Even after the headers were in place you coulding get a wrench on bolts to tighten them.
I agree Gordonm. I use to take a full day per side. Even after the headers were in place you coulding get a wrench on bolts to tighten them.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: State of Confusion
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (norvalwilhelm)
If I remember right the 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs were a pretty tight fit. I consider the Vette easy to do. I can have mine off with little trouble.
I agree Gordonm. I use to take a full day per side. Even after the headers were in place you coulding get a wrench on bolts to tighten them.
I agree Gordonm. I use to take a full day per side. Even after the headers were in place you coulding get a wrench on bolts to tighten them.
My buddy had to attend some business, so I offered to stay & work on the headers.
In 4+ hours, I got just 2 pipes (on his car, they were individual tubes) on & fairly secure, and started another pipe.
:mad :rolleyes: :banghead: :cuss
...and those Ford-guys WONDER why a majority of racers choose to run Chevies....
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,679
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From: Charles Town WV
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (GDaina)
Putting headers on my 67 Firebird wasn't really that much harder than my Camaro. It's been a number of years, but if I remember I unbolted the motor mounts and lifted it up a few inches and that made a big difference. I vaguely remember that the exhaust ports blew almost straight down, but not quite.
Here's when I had the fender off for rebuilding the A/C (MASSIVE VACCUUM SYSTEM on a 67, lots of 1 year only parts). This is a great shot of how big pontiac engines are:
I really miss that car...that's the one that got away
Here's when I had the fender off for rebuilding the A/C (MASSIVE VACCUUM SYSTEM on a 67, lots of 1 year only parts). This is a great shot of how big pontiac engines are:
I really miss that car...that's the one that got away
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 333
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From: Weatherford TX
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (GDaina)
I had a 75 Trans Am. I had to move the oil filter, unbolt engine mounts and raise the motor. It was a real pain to work on because it was such a tight fit. It was several cars later before I put another set of headers on because of the TransAm.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 152
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From: Wilmington nc
Re: Off Topic....the worst cars to install headers.... (Master Ho)
Dads 1967 Mustang with a 390, I don't think you can wedge a sheet of paper between the manifolds and shock towers.
1995 Camaro Z28 with a LT1 is no walk in the park either, a lot harder than LS1's are
Last ones I did was my 70 Camaro, but it had no front clip on it at the time. Engine and headers went in at the same time :yesnod:
1995 Camaro Z28 with a LT1 is no walk in the park either, a lot harder than LS1's are
Last ones I did was my 70 Camaro, but it had no front clip on it at the time. Engine and headers went in at the same time :yesnod:
