Lingenfelter header problems again!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Lingenfelter header problems again!
I'm still having problems with my Lingenfelter headers. I cant get the dipstick tube back in now. Theres a bunch of pipes looks like blocking the way in. So the question is: Is it even possible to reuse the stock dipstick tube with these headers? Oh and the last header bolt on the driver side doesnt fit even after grinding it down some.
If not i'm ripping them off and throwing them in the garbage. These are quite possibly the worst parts made specifically for a car that i've ever seen. I always wondered why they stopped making them and its pretty obvious now. They dont fit easily without a bunch of modifications. I've spent a week and a half on this crap and my patience is starting to run thin.
If not i'm ripping them off and throwing them in the garbage. These are quite possibly the worst parts made specifically for a car that i've ever seen. I always wondered why they stopped making them and its pretty obvious now. They dont fit easily without a bunch of modifications. I've spent a week and a half on this crap and my patience is starting to run thin.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
I used to have the Lingenfelter headers on my old set up. Now that you've mentioned it, I remember accidentally breaking the dipstick off when trying to position it properly with the headers. 
I knew I'd be pulling the engine soon anyway, so I just plugged up the hole and changed my oil often. Once the engine was out, I was able to pull out the broken dipstick tube. Now I use this:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Hang in there!!
I knew I'd be pulling the engine soon anyway, so I just plugged up the hole and changed my oil often. Once the engine was out, I was able to pull out the broken dipstick tube. Now I use this:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Hang in there!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I was able to pull mine out without breaking it or bending it so its still good. $55 for a dipstick is insane! I just want these to work since I already bought them. I've actually considered taking a hammer to the stupid tube to it fit. I know thats a bad idea though.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I've been trying to get the dipstick tube in there for the past hour. I finally got it to slide into place, cool. I took it out put some adhesive on it, spent some time trying to find the hole again. I cant understand why this is has to be so difficult. I'm getting a little frustrated but still taking my time being gentle, I hit something and sparks went flying everywhere. I tried to grab the dipstick and sparks went all over the place again. I had to disconnect the battery again to remove it. I had just connected the battery this morning because I thought I was done messing with any wiring and stuff.
My car doesnt have any power at all, I noticed this yesterday when I opened the door, the battery cant be dead, its only been 1 week. I'm not sure what I hit cause I was on the right side of the starter and lower along the oil pan. Now i'm just so frustrated with this thing i'm seriously considering selling it cause no ones going to help me and I cant afford to pay a shop tons of money to whatever just went wrong.
My car doesnt have any power at all, I noticed this yesterday when I opened the door, the battery cant be dead, its only been 1 week. I'm not sure what I hit cause I was on the right side of the starter and lower along the oil pan. Now i'm just so frustrated with this thing i'm seriously considering selling it cause no ones going to help me and I cant afford to pay a shop tons of money to whatever just went wrong.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: newark DE
I've been trying to get the dipstick tube in there for the past hour. I finally got it to slide into place, cool. I took it out put some adhesive on it, spent some time trying to find the hole again. I cant understand why this is has to be so difficult. I'm getting a little frustrated but still taking my time being gentle, I hit something and sparks went flying everywhere. I tried to grab the dipstick and sparks went all over the place again. I had to disconnect the battery again to remove it. I had just connected the battery this morning because I thought I was done messing with any wiring and stuff.
My car doesnt have any power at all, I noticed this yesterday when I opened the door, the battery cant be dead, its only been 1 week. I'm not sure what I hit cause I was on the right side of the starter and lower along the oil pan. Now i'm just so frustrated with this thing i'm seriously considering selling it cause no ones going to help me and I cant afford to pay a shop tons of money to whatever just went wrong.
My car doesnt have any power at all, I noticed this yesterday when I opened the door, the battery cant be dead, its only been 1 week. I'm not sure what I hit cause I was on the right side of the starter and lower along the oil pan. Now i'm just so frustrated with this thing i'm seriously considering selling it cause no ones going to help me and I cant afford to pay a shop tons of money to whatever just went wrong.
anyway, more than likely its just a blown fuse or something along those lines. im 99% sure the battery isnt dead. you obviously hit a live electrical connection with the dipstick tube and caused a short (hence the sparking). start by checking the fuses and go from there. if you really want to check the battery, remove it and try putting it in another GM vehicle with side post connections. if the other car fires with your Vettes battery, then it isnt dead
FWIW never, EVER reconnect the battery when working on the car until youre ready to fire it up. murphys law will always come into play if you do so (like youve experienced). good luck and keep us posted
Last edited by tpivette; Oct 5, 2007 at 02:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Nah I mean I hooked the battery up and then got in the car, no lights, put the key in and nothing turned on. The battery was just fine when I disconnected it and its not old. The connections on the starter (ie battery cable) are nice and tight.
This has been frustrating, but i've kept on. It seems impossible to get the last bold and the stupid dipstick. I dont even want to touch it now. I thought for sure today would be the day I fired it up and took it to put the exhaust on there. I'm supposed to be going to a cruise in on the 21st but it doesnt look thats going to happen because the azzhats that work at Lingenfelter dont know what they're doing. Honestly, I will never buy another product that bears their name, never. Yes that means no SR either.
Now if someone can give me some good tips on how to get the dipstick in correctly without shocking the **** out of me, please do tell.
This has been frustrating, but i've kept on. It seems impossible to get the last bold and the stupid dipstick. I dont even want to touch it now. I thought for sure today would be the day I fired it up and took it to put the exhaust on there. I'm supposed to be going to a cruise in on the 21st but it doesnt look thats going to happen because the azzhats that work at Lingenfelter dont know what they're doing. Honestly, I will never buy another product that bears their name, never. Yes that means no SR either.
Now if someone can give me some good tips on how to get the dipstick in correctly without shocking the **** out of me, please do tell.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Hmm, were they used headers? (By this I mean bent or modified in some shape or form?) I have LPE headers and while like any header, they were a tight fit. The hardest thing for me was tightening the bolts...and I just used a small wrench and got it done.
As for your battery, well, if you did disconnect it then it shouldn't be down but you might as well through a charger on there to see what's up. It could have just spontaneously died, I've seen it happen before.
As for your battery, well, if you did disconnect it then it shouldn't be down but you might as well through a charger on there to see what's up. It could have just spontaneously died, I've seen it happen before.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Took a couple of pix for you.Hope it helps.The first is how the dipstick should fit in there.Yes it's hard to get it in the hole initially but persevere.If they had put hair around it you could find it easily.
The header tubes are all slightly relieved so you can use the flanged bolts,yours should be as well.The only bad one is passenger rear but it's easier working from underneath.Wait 'till you have to change that plug!!I guarantee it can all be done,just don't get frustrated.
You can see the dents clearer in the first pic where the dip stick bracket bolts to the head.
The header tubes are all slightly relieved so you can use the flanged bolts,yours should be as well.The only bad one is passenger rear but it's easier working from underneath.Wait 'till you have to change that plug!!I guarantee it can all be done,just don't get frustrated. You can see the dents clearer in the first pic where the dip stick bracket bolts to the head.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Mine look exactly like yours with the tubes cut off the top and one of the O2 bungs welded shut on the passenger side. They're ceramic coated as well. They're not bent or anything and dont have indentations for flanged bolts. I'm using the standard 7/16" header bolts, Mr. Gasket part # 915.
I found an ARP header bolt at work and I think its a 3/8" or 5/16" so i'm gonna see if it fits on the driver side. All of the bolts on the passenger side were a cakewalk.
I found an ARP header bolt at work and I think its a 3/8" or 5/16" so i'm gonna see if it fits on the driver side. All of the bolts on the passenger side were a cakewalk.
