kooks long tube header install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: baltimore ohio
kooks long tube header install
can some one give some pointers on the install??? I have all the stock stuff off,can't get headers in form the top or bottom. I've even took the motor mounts lose and rasied the motor side to side and still can't get them in, this is crazy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
good luck!
Last edited by OleStraightStick; Mar 18, 2008 at 08:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
hmmm well i'm not sure then.. i know mine were a real PITA, but after a while of experimenting, banging, and cussing they finally dropped in.. hopefully somebody with kooks will chime in with some pointers
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
If you don't have the alternator off, take it off. Then get a 2x4 and wedge it between the frame and the alternator braket. Have someone lift the motor over to the side from the alternator bracket with the 2x4. You want to lift the motor over from the front. This will give you enough of a twist and room to get the driver's header past the brake booster. Also, if you haven't done it yet, put some duct tape over the booster because it will get scratched. Also, remove your oil filter and the oil temp sensor and the water temp sensor. You will probably break them if you leave them in.
I know it's a pain, but you gotta 'grotch' them in there. No way around it unless the heads are off.
I know it's a pain, but you gotta 'grotch' them in there. No way around it unless the heads are off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
If you don't have the alternator off, take it off. Then get a 2x4 and wedge it between the frame and the alternator braket. Have someone lift the motor over to the side from the alternator bracket with the 2x4. You want to lift the motor over from the front. This will give you enough of a twist and room to get the driver's header past the brake booster. Also, if you haven't done it yet, put some duct tape over the booster because it will get scratched. Also, remove your oil filter and the oil temp sensor and the water temp sensor. You will probably break them if you leave them in.
I know it's a pain, but you gotta 'grotch' them in there. No way around it unless the heads are off.
I know it's a pain, but you gotta 'grotch' them in there. No way around it unless the heads are off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands Texas
When I put my Kooks in I was tempted to use a cutting torch
Like the other guys have said; pull the altenator, unbolt the engine mounts, pull the steering linkage, (I pulled the valve covers) and get a 4ft long 2x4 and lift with all you have while sliding the header in from the top. There is a knack to this as the header will not just "drop in". Point the collector in first and then twist the header down and the collector toward the center of the car while pushing down hard on the tubes. The header will pop in
The passenger side is just about as big a PITA by the way. You have to get the maximum separation possible between the engine and the fender liners.
Once you are finished, reiinstall everything you disconnected and you'll be good to go.
Like the other guys have said; pull the altenator, unbolt the engine mounts, pull the steering linkage, (I pulled the valve covers) and get a 4ft long 2x4 and lift with all you have while sliding the header in from the top. There is a knack to this as the header will not just "drop in". Point the collector in first and then twist the header down and the collector toward the center of the car while pushing down hard on the tubes. The header will pop in
The passenger side is just about as big a PITA by the way. You have to get the maximum separation possible between the engine and the fender liners.
Once you are finished, reiinstall everything you disconnected and you'll be good to go.
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
man no harm but.....
all I ever hear is how hard kooks are to install....Iam sorry but I would never ever go through all of that and still pay that kinda money. The cheapo headers on a certain site seem to be easier to deal with! Iam sorry I want something that is gonna have a good fit and finish and most importantly drop in. LG's and American Racing I have read not one post like this!
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: baltimore ohio
well their in what a PILA, total time 13 hours don't know if I would go thru that again,or just pay$$$ for the install. But then again I wouldn't have the time spent bent over a fender ,my back hurts.
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
good to hear man
I feel your pain....my passenager side won't go in on my LG's. I just fear breaking something....I got 3 hours just trying to get that header in...and Iam going for round 2 today on it......wish me luck.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga TN
To do my 1 7/8" Kooks, we had both motor mounts loose, the steering column disconnected from the rack, the starter off and the oil filter off. We used a cherry picker to lift up on the side of the engine that we were trying to get the header on.
It took about an hour and a half from the bottom to get them in.
It took about an hour and a half from the bottom to get them in.
