[Headers]: Be careful when you install them.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
[Headers]: Be careful when you install them.
I've been tracking down misc. exhaust leaks today repairing them one by one as we have a track rental day coming up this Friday. Well it appears the last one is a doozy. :cry
It appears that the motor mount bolt has dug itself into the #6 primary tube causing a pretty good leak. :( I'm going to have to somehow remove that bolt and cut 3/8" off of it, or reverse the bolt. I don't think I can reverse it with the header on the engine.
So, let this be a lesson to Hooker Header Super Comp 2149 & 2151 installations. Make sure that engine mount bolt has the head of the bolt at the rear of the car with the threads facing forward.
This sucks.
[Modified by scorp508, 8:19 PM 6/16/2002]
It appears that the motor mount bolt has dug itself into the #6 primary tube causing a pretty good leak. :( I'm going to have to somehow remove that bolt and cut 3/8" off of it, or reverse the bolt. I don't think I can reverse it with the header on the engine.
So, let this be a lesson to Hooker Header Super Comp 2149 & 2151 installations. Make sure that engine mount bolt has the head of the bolt at the rear of the car with the threads facing forward.
This sucks.
[Modified by scorp508, 8:19 PM 6/16/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (scorp508)
Scorp, I saw a set of TPIS headers on an L98 where one tube was resting on a frame bolt. I guess it takes very careful inspection everywhere after an install on our engines.
Good luck with your fix; hope that ends the chase for you so you can get in some track tuning time.
Good luck with your fix; hope that ends the chase for you so you can get in some track tuning time.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
I guess it takes very careful inspection everywhere after an install on our engines.
At installation everything was fine, but it looks like the engine has settled down in place some since then. I'll be at the track this friday reguardless, hopefully it will not hamper me THAT much. I will try to at least get some sort of repair bandaid wrapped around it by then.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,372
Likes: 21
From: Traverse City MI
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (scorp508)
Would new engine mounts help? I am not sure how the C4 mounts in, but I had to put new mounts in my 82 cause the fan was hitting the shroud.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (Aaron71771)
I always seem to get header problems too. In some of my installations in the past, I had to get the exact bolt length by trial and error. I then tack welded the nut to the flange so I would not have problems getting a wrench to hold it. So far, it seems to work every time. Once you figure out what works, removing and reinstalling becomes a cinch.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
From: Tracy California
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (scorp508)
Scorp
I had the same problem with my engine a while back. I had to flip the bolt during engine install and cut a little bit off the little frame brace on the passenger side.
KM
I had the same problem with my engine a while back. I had to flip the bolt during engine install and cut a little bit off the little frame brace on the passenger side.
KM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (88-406)
I was thinking about Headers as a future mod...you guys are starting to scare me. :) :cheers:
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (scorp508)
Always something isnt it?
:D
Btw,I think the mount nut is the self locking oblong/oval type and isnt the fastest to take off wrenching by hand.
Its been a while since I reinstalled those bolts on the motor job and it wasnt too bad with no accessories or exhaust installed yet to get at.Youre also gonna need to hit the bolt out since they rust inside the mount sleeve and dont want to come out sometimes when the nut is off.Mine were pretty bad and didnt want to come out without alot of hitting and prying.
Good tip though for future header installers.
:)
:D
Btw,I think the mount nut is the self locking oblong/oval type and isnt the fastest to take off wrenching by hand.
Its been a while since I reinstalled those bolts on the motor job and it wasnt too bad with no accessories or exhaust installed yet to get at.Youre also gonna need to hit the bolt out since they rust inside the mount sleeve and dont want to come out sometimes when the nut is off.Mine were pretty bad and didnt want to come out without alot of hitting and prying.
Good tip though for future header installers.
:)
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 509
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From: Santa Barbara ca
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (Hardcorvette)
I was thinking about Headers as a future mod...you guys are starting to scare me. :) :cheers:
I think I'll just go with the cat-less y-pipe and no main cat. Hate to have an exhaust leak up there!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,181
Likes: 2
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (scorp508)
you to huh?
I just have one at the #1 cyl. using Felpro 1406's.
I am gonna try those fancy copper ones if I can find D-port ones.
I just have one at the #1 cyl. using Felpro 1406's.
I am gonna try those fancy copper ones if I can find D-port ones.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
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From: St Marys PA
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (89 Paul in Cal)
Scorp,
I posted the same exact thing after my mods. Except I found mine in time.
I took a large pry bar and just pryed them out away! Heat them up with the engine and they can be nudged quite a bit! I was going to do what you are attempting, but wait till you try to get your motor mount bolt out. Mine was slightly bent and there is VERY little room to work with.
Good luck!
I posted the same exact thing after my mods. Except I found mine in time.
I took a large pry bar and just pryed them out away! Heat them up with the engine and they can be nudged quite a bit! I was going to do what you are attempting, but wait till you try to get your motor mount bolt out. Mine was slightly bent and there is VERY little room to work with.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
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From: Boston, MA
I wish I knew of this before installing them, never noticed it mentioned. Install was simple, and I already had that bolt out from pulling the cam. Would of been easy to put it in backwards then.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [Headers]: Be careful when you install them. (Fastguy)
On the LT1's, there is no way to even get the headers installed without reversing the passengers side bolt. I thought it was the same for L98 equipped C4's too. Apparently not.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
On the LT1's, there is no way to even get the headers installed without reversing the passengers side bolt. I thought it was the same for L98 equipped C4's too. Apparently not.