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94 gt shorty headers install help

  • Thread starter Thread starter steelers1377
  • Start date Start date Apr 12, 2009
S

steelers1377

New Member
Dec 19, 2008
5
1
0
pittsburgh pa
Apr 12, 2009
#1
  • Apr 12, 2009
  • #1
just looking for a install guide for shorty headers on a sn95 5.0l...thanks a lot guys!
 

Pokageek

Active Member
Jun 10, 2005
2,767
0
46
MA, USA
Apr 13, 2009
#2
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #2
Try here for starters. read the whole thing.

http://allfordmustangs.com/forums/5-0l-tech/6385-mac-shorty-header-install-95-need-advice.html

Oh yeah.. and IIRC it was much easier to put the headers on FIRST b4 you bolt up the H-Pipe. I widened the hole in the bracket that connects the H-pipe to the headers..otherwise it can be a bear to get on. Don't hook up the h-pipe first or you will be fighting and have leaks the whole my. My experience.
 

fivemustangs

Member
Dec 22, 2007
222
0
17
Bar Harbor, Maine
Apr 13, 2009
#3
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #3
There will be 8 bolts on each side connecting the head to the header, also two bolts connecting the header to the H or X pipe remove all these bolts and the headers should come right off, installing the new headers are the reverse put bolts back in....ect. But make sure you replace your header gaskets and you use a razor blade to scrape any gasket material from the heads so you dont have any future leaks.
 

Adam95GT

New Member
Aug 14, 2006
2,564
3
0
Burlington, NJ
Apr 13, 2009
#4
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #4
be sure to tighten the bolts to the midpipe evenly or it will leak.
 

desertcox05

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
379
0
0
south atlanta
Apr 13, 2009
#5
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #5
on bbk shortys. driver side went in from the bottom and i needed to disconnect the steering shaft to make it easier. the pass side goes in from the top with the filter, maf, and inlet tube removed.. i didn't need to jack the engine or anything else
 
S

steelers1377

New Member
Dec 19, 2008
5
1
0
pittsburgh pa
Apr 13, 2009
#6
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #6
desertcox05 said:
on bbk shortys. driver side went in from the bottom and i needed to disconnect the steering shaft to make it easier. the pass side goes in from the top with the filter, maf, and inlet tube removed.. i didn't need to jack the engine or anything else
Click to expand...


okay thanks...thats what i was worrying about, i just wanted to know what all needed to be removed for the swap....

but once again thanks everyone! very helpful
 
Reactions: Tootall281

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Apr 13, 2009
#7
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #7
If they're single flange headers, work your way from the inside out when tightening them, or you may have some exhaust leaks. Put the two end bolts in loosely and typically the header gasket has slotted holes at the ends, so you can hang it on those bolts while getting the rest in by hand. Other than that, the biggest issue is fighting with the cramped space.
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Apr 13, 2009
#8
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #8
Get a half-moon wrench and grind it down a little so it fits between the bolts and the header tubes. It really comes in handy!
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Apr 13, 2009
#9
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #9
Like was said ... start with the end bolts first

When the threads catch ... hand turn ONLY another 1 turn
then
Do the same with all the others

You gotta giggle the header around to get them started
and
Get to that ... one turn

The idea is to have them all loose enough so you can go the next step

Run all the inside bolts down to where they are close to touching the flange

Now do the same for the outside bolts

Tighten them all

Besure to use some lock washers or some kind of bolt locking device

Again ... you wanna be able to wiggle the header around so you can
ensure you don't cross thread the bolts :Word:

Have Fun Good Luck

Grady
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Apr 13, 2009
#10
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #10
And... I just discoverd that BBK shorties allow use of the factory header bolts! The factory bolts don't usually back out so they make a great choice, sure they're ugly and rusty looking, but I'd rather look at rusty bolts than have to keep tightening shiny new bolts!

You'll still have to go back and tighten the bolts again after a few warm up periods, but that's the case anytime you install new gaskets regardless of the header/bolt combo!
 

desertcox05

New Member
Oct 3, 2007
379
0
0
south atlanta
Apr 13, 2009
#11
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #11
some people have probs with the supplied gaskets. i did not. it's been 2 years
 

02 281 GT

Agreed...My wife has great Boobs
15 Year Member
Feb 3, 2009
3,208
1,972
194
Cabot, AR
Apr 13, 2009
#12
  • Apr 13, 2009
  • #12
desertcox05 said:
on bbk shortys. driver side went in from the bottom and i needed to disconnect the steering shaft to make it easier. the pass side goes in from the top with the filter, maf, and inlet tube removed.. i didn't need to jack the engine or anything else
Click to expand...
I got my BBK equal length to go in through the top on the driver side by unbolting the A/C compressor so that I could move it slightly out of the way. Along with removing the upper intake and valve covers this gave me just enough wiggle room to accomplish the install.
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Apr 14, 2009
#13
  • Apr 14, 2009
  • #13
That's alot more work than just jacking the car up and sliding them in from the bottom. I can have an H pipe off in about 5 minutes.
 

02 281 GT

Agreed...My wife has great Boobs
15 Year Member
Feb 3, 2009
3,208
1,972
194
Cabot, AR
Apr 14, 2009
#14
  • Apr 14, 2009
  • #14
The_Mustang said:
That's alot more work than just jacking the car up and sliding them in from the bottom. I can have an H pipe off in about 5 minutes.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm sure it was, but I didn't want to remove the steering shaft.
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Apr 14, 2009
#15
  • Apr 14, 2009
  • #15
NM, I'm in idiot! Just realized you said equal lengths. I did shorties on mine so it was different.
 
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