Header Install Problems

Zstang66

Member

Apr 30, 2016

26

3

13

Bellingham

May 14, 2016

#1

• May 14, 2016

• #1

Hey guys I have a set of full length Herman headers and the drivers side I can't get the drivers side to fit in place. I think I am hitting the shock tower. Any one else has this problem? How do I fix or any ideas?

 

horse sence

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

12,343

8,230

233

Wile Coyote's stunt double

May 14, 2016

#2

• May 14, 2016

• #2

The headmans usually fit pretty good ,any pics of the problem?

 

Zstang66

Member

Apr 30, 2016

26

3

13

Bellingham

May 14, 2016

#3

• May 14, 2016

• #3

horse sence said:

The headmans usually fit pretty good ,any pics of the problem?

Click to expand...

Here is a pic. I can't tell for sure where I am hitting.

 

Attachments

• image.webp

  227.9 KB · Views: 188
• image.webp

  260.9 KB · Views: 192

Zstang66

Member

Apr 30, 2016

26

3

13

Bellingham

May 14, 2016

#4

• May 14, 2016

• #4

I had to do this to the passenger side to get them to bolt up.

 

Attachments

• image.webp

  291.2 KB · Views: 199
• image.webp

  476.5 KB · Views: 206
• image.webp

  304.6 KB · Views: 181

mckallister

Active User

Jun 14, 2014

24

1

13

Portland, OR

May 15, 2016

#5

• May 15, 2016

• #5

When I installed headers (can't remember the brand, but they were tri-y) I had to put a drop bracket on the frame end of the power steering ram. I noticed the power steering pump in the engine shot in your other thread...

What are the bolts in this first pic for??

My '65 289 didn't have those.

Are they on driver side, too?? Is there one for every exhaust port?

My stabbing in the dark guess is that you might have a later, '70s/'80s heads with the EGR/smog pump provisions.

Good luck!

 

Zstang66

Member

Apr 30, 2016

26

3

13

Bellingham

May 15, 2016

#6

• May 15, 2016

• #6

Yeah I guess I am not sure of the heads that are on there but I got that problem fixed. Just had to grind little spots for the bolts. The old exhaust manifold had oem spots for them. And yes my car has power steering I disconnected the power steering ram but did not take it off all the way. Do I have to???? I brought the bracket. I might get new Motor mounts that are adjustable to see if that helps.

 

Zstang66

Member

Apr 30, 2016

26

3

13

Bellingham

May 15, 2016

#7

• May 15, 2016

• #7

I think those bolts are for exhaust ports. And yes there is one for ever port. Also here is one more pic from the drivers side.

 

Attachments

• image.webp

  416.5 KB · Views: 173
• image.webp

  288.5 KB · Views: 163
• image.webp

  208.8 KB · Views: 190

V

Vaejovis Carolinanus

Member

Apr 29, 2016

42

3

18

Charleston SC

May 15, 2016

#8

• May 15, 2016

• #8

I have no help, but I do have a? about how you got the stock manifolds off without stripping old bolts. Heat? PB Blaster? Good luck with the header install I am about to attempt in a few days.

 

Zstang66

Member

Apr 30, 2016

26

3

13

Bellingham

May 15, 2016

#9

• May 15, 2016

• #9

Vaejovis Carolinanus said:

I have no help, but I do have a? about how you got the stock manifolds off without stripping old bolts. Heat? PB Blaster? Good luck with the header install I am about to attempt in a few days.

Click to expand...

I just hit them with WD40 night before and they came right out. The harder part was there is no room to work. Good luck hope u don't have problems like I am having.

 

Reactions: Vaejovis Carolinanus

mckallister

Active User

Jun 14, 2014

24

1

13

Portland, OR

May 16, 2016

#10

• May 16, 2016

• #10

You might try loosening the motor mounts and jacking the engine up. I remember there being less room on the driver side... If I remember correctly, a 2x4 between the oil pan and a floor jack should work (unless you have a cherry picker, in which case that'd be the smart way to go).

I think the extra ground clearance helped with the install, when the engine was up.

You shouldn't have to completely remove the PS ram. I just removed the old bracket, installed the headers and put on the drop bracket.

I was 18 when I did this, and my dad was supervising, so I don't perfectly remember all the pain...

 

mckallister

Active User

Jun 14, 2014

24

1

13

Portland, OR

May 16, 2016

#11

• May 16, 2016

• #11

Oh yeah!!:

I don't think you'll need new motor mounts. I did change mine with new OEM, but only after I discovered one was broken (the rubber insulator separated from the metal) long after the header install.

 

Zstang66

Member

Apr 30, 2016

26

3

13

Bellingham

May 16, 2016

#12

• May 16, 2016

• #12

mckallister said:

Oh yeah!!:

I don't think you'll need new motor mounts. I did change mine with new OEM, but only after I discovered one was broken (the rubber insulator separated from the metal) long after the header install.

Click to expand...

Yeah I might just put new adjustable ones in. I am thinking if I am going to loosen them I might want to just replace them. And for those plugs on the head are from thermactor system that came on '66 289s that are from California. Dumb smog stuff. I am need to do some research to find what are some good heads.