Header Installation.....Question?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
that depends on a lot of things, mainly engine, heads, spark plug placement, tightness factor in the fenders and along the firewall. USUALLY its from underneath though yes, at least with my cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
I installed my hedman's from above.
I had to lift the engine a little to clear the clutch rod. It was a little tricky around the starter as well.
If they are ceramic coated, wrap them in a cloth, because I scratched mine a little.
Have fun and enjoy!!!
I had to lift the engine a little to clear the clutch rod. It was a little tricky around the starter as well.
If they are ceramic coated, wrap them in a cloth, because I scratched mine a little.
Have fun and enjoy!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
on both a 77 350 auto and a 79 350 4spd we did it from the bottom no lifting of the engine, we did take the clutch rod out that goes from the engine to the frame on the 4spd. there is a perfect angle that takes about 15 mins to find on each side and then its in place . it will amaze you when all of asudden it slips in place.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
remember to watch out for your plug wires though dude, they tend to get in the way after the install, last thing you need is your enging being grounded from a burnt wire. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Well, since it's a new install (383) I haven't installed the plugs or wires yet. So I should have plenty of room to figure everything out. I bought new wire looms to aid in the process.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
I have a 68 bigblock, and I had to jack up my engine a bit before I could remove my drivers side exhaust manifold. I think i put it back in place before installing the headers, from underneath.
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Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Eagle WI
I just finished installing headers on my 68 (small block). Did it from below - didn't have to jack the engine up; but I did pull all the sparkplugs, took out the starter, clutch cross shaft (z-bar), & dipstick tube for extra clearance. You can rotate the header as you slide it up into place to clear everything. Having a helper to guide from the top side will make things easier too. Just make sure you jack the front up high enough (and support securely 
) so you've got room to rotate the header up into place. 
) so you've got room to rotate the header up into place.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
put dynomax headers on my 72 from bottom. They slipped right in with a bit of "wiggling" . Jack the car up high enough to give your self some room to move around. That is key. Oh yea, you got to remove you plugs and dip stick as well. The first time I did it the darn AC unit was the real PITA. Now that that is gone, it is a sinch.
Last edited by KJL; Oct 3, 2004 at 06:05 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I too installed my Dynomax ceramic headers from underneath with no jacking of the engine. I had to remove the z-bar, manual tranny, to install on driver side. If you have a manual, most likely you will need to slightly notch the z-bar for clearance. Otherwise the z-bar will hit the driver side header.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by Ludicrous
So is Dynomax the header everyone reccomends? I am looking to replace my stock ones soon and would be interested in the best performance for my 75.