Equal Length Header Install

[MAC'n89Blckstng]

How hard is it going to be to install my equal length headers, I've heard its tough. How long should it take me?
Thanks,
Jesse

 

[N8Miller]

I wouldnt say that its going to be hard, just time consuming. get some ARP header bolts though, it will save you some time and aggravation when putting them back on.
as for a time, if your working alone, i would say 8 hours, with a partner, six.

 

[yelbigbirdlow]

your going to have to remove the smog pump hoses on the passenger side of the motor, and jack the motor up in order to get them in and you might need new motor mounts to keep them from touching the frame on the passenger side and the steering shaft on the driver side. like N8Miller stated it would be a good idea to get some new header bolts do to the fact that the stock header-bolt heads are big and hard to menuver.

 

['90DarkBlueLX]

The ARP Bolts are nice but the Stage8 are the best due to the lock washers & clips. You will never lose a header bolt or gasket if they are installed correctly in the first place. I ran 5 years with equal lenght BBK's with stage8's and never had a problem. And the allen head on them makes the install very nice if you have the correct socket.

have fun and remeber to drop the H-pipe all the way out of the way before starting.

 

[4dStang]

If they are Mac equal length, DON'T use the supplied header to head bolts. If you dont want to spend big bucks on ARP header bolts, go to a parts store and get 3/8" x 1" allen head bolts. They were $6.00 for 16.

Since the install, I have a lot less hair and I still have to swap the mac hex bolts with allen head bolts because I could never get the Mac bolts tight. Plus I have already lost a bolt. Equal length are just plain difficult. Oh, Then I had to cut a spark plug socket in half to get the plug tight on 3rd down drivers side. No socket can reach it.

You will have to remove both motor mounts and the steering shaft. Jack up the motor, then they should slide in from the bottom on the drivers side. I wish I knew that before starting. Pass side I just had to remove smog crap. and do some wiggling. Don't read the instructions, they are worthless.



Have fun!!!!

 

[N8Miller]

If you dont want to spend big bucks on ARP header bolts,

big bucks....???? i paid $12

 

[4dStang]

Maybe I was a little inaccurate about big bucks for the ARP bolts. I thought they were more expensive.

 

[hemi_fan]

do you think its possible to do the install without the use of a hoist? or would you be screwed...?

 

[SilverFox90]

my buddy got his bbk equal lengths on without too much trouble, he didnt loosen motor mounts or anything, just removed smog pump crap and think he had to slightly bend the dip stick and loosed brake lines to get drivers side in, but he did it alone in about 3.5 hours or less....

 

[ironmedic]

i just put mine in today without having to jack up the motor. depending on how "convincing" you are, you can probably slip the passenger side one in without jacking up the motor

 

[fordman54935]

I was able to put mine in without jacking up the engine (MAC equal lengths). Pull the smog hoses off the passenger side and removing the spark plugs helps as well. On the drivers side, remove the small clutch cable bracket from the strut tower and pull the dipstick out. The hardest part about installing mine was aligning the bolt holes (MAC headers have 4 separate flanges, one for each tube) and those are tough to line up, but with patience and a helper it goes quick. Do yourself a favor though and put the best set of header gaskets on it that you can afford (or is available). I used Fel-Pro 1415's with much success. (after blowing a less expensive set first )

 

[MAC'n89Blckstng]

Thanks alot guys, I'm going to try and install them this weekend as well as my lowering springs. Do I need to get new header bolts? or can I just use the factory bolts. I bought these headers used, so they didn't come with any bolts or anything.

 

[N8Miller]

Thanks alot guys, I'm going to try and install them this weekend as well as my lowering springs. Do I need to get new header bolts? or can I just use the factory bolts. I bought these headers used, so they didn't come with any bolts or anything.

see my first post above about the arps.

 

[93 teal terror]

Shouldnt take more than 2 hrs tops. Dont have to raise the engine either but some find it helpful. Unbolting the passenger valve cover and sliding it back really helps too. Youll also probably want to tie your a/c lines and smog tubes back with some wire or something so they dont burn.

oh yeah and fordmans right definalty dont put the crappy gaskets that mac gives you on there

 

[9 Deuce GT]

SELL THEM WHILE YOU ARE STILL SANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!