headers install

jshelton2006 · Nov 30, 2006

i bought shorty headers for my 95 mustang gt and want to know if i can install them myself or have it done. It is a 5 speed. I just need instructions or advice on the best way to do it. I know shortys are supposed to be easier but i have heard you have to drop the k member to install some...thanks

86bluecobra · Nov 30, 2006

I would not think you have to drop the k member to install shorties. The headers should have come with instructions. I would say its a do it yourself job as long as the bolts come out of the heads for you factory manifolds. If you break 1 then it becomes a little more complicated. Soak the bolts on the headers/manifolds that are on the car now in penitrating oil before you start. soak em for a day or so. repeated soakings.

Hef5.0weisen · Nov 30, 2006

Do you havea decent selection of tools? Do you want to wrench on your car? For the price of someone installing headers, you may be able to pick up a decent set of tools...Christmas is coming as well, lots of sales at Sears righ now...
Off the top of my head...normal wrenches, sockets, universals and extensions will get em off. It's all personal technique how you use the aforementioned combinations to get to the bolts...don't be afraid to remove other components to get at a bolt. Defeinently do-able, even for a beginner. Pass side is easy, after removing the smog stuff and inlet ducting, driver side is a bit more challenging, I've always gotten mad at the forward bolt, PITA with the power steering pump right there.
A jack and stands, unless you have other means (lift or something) is helpful when trying to get at the joint between the headers and H-pipe
All-in-all, do it yourself!
Good luck

94Blue302GT · Nov 30, 2006

not hard to do, but can be a PITA.
Some shorties you need to remove a few things to get them in there.
Are they equal lenght?

SeventyMach1 · Nov 30, 2006

Hopefully they are unequal length. They're easier to install.

Do a search in the 94-95 Tech section for "headers". You'll find some write-ups on how to do it .... and what you'll need. Definitely worth doing yourself rather than paying someone to do it.

final5-0 · Nov 30, 2006

Piece O Cake

compared to

Long Tubes

I would tell you to .......

Get a few hand tools
and
Gitter Done

You'll have a ball

Grady

drakesdad · Nov 30, 2006

Patience......................deep breaths.....and step away if frustrated.......My BBK shorties weren't too bad....I did not take anything off of the engine......but the driver's side was the hardest.......I had to twist and turn the header to get just the right angle to get it in place.

badstang123 · Nov 30, 2006

If they are the unequal ones they're a piece of cake. As stated above the driver side will take a little twisting around but once you get it right it will slip right in. I dreaded the install for some time but was pleasantly suprised to get it done in a little over 2 hours even though I was taking my time. A helping hand from a friend would be my number one recommendation. Other than that if you have tools and a little common sense they're no problem.

SeventyMach1 · Nov 30, 2006

I must have been really lucky when I did mine. Some said to take the steering arm off and a few other things. Some said not to. Well, I didn't. The driver's side ended up sliding in like a knife through butter. I guess I just turned it the right way on the first try. I think I actually spent MORE time on the passenger side.

But yeah ... I DO see why everyone has problems there. Very tight area to work.

Also, I would recommend locking header bolts .... and a Fel Pro 1415 gasket.

1TallMF · Nov 30, 2006

I recall reading that the 4.6 cars need to remove the k-member and raise the engine to install headers, sounds like PITA! Yet another good reason to own a 5.0L

ghetto5oh · Dec 1, 2006

does anyone know what type and size of wrench to use? i have a nasty exhaust leak and plan to take off drivers side header to replace that gasket this weekend.

TheRedBlur · Dec 1, 2006

I had the bbk unequal shorty's back when they had multi-piece flanges, you had to use a prybar to bend the tubes into place because they'd warp... NOT COOL!

but yeah, step by step...
remove strut brace
remove air cleaner assy.
remove EGR assy. (rusty, use lots of penetrating oil)
remove spark plugs and wires (for ease of removal/space)
I used an 11mm wrench on my header bolts, but I don't know if that's a factory size.
remove flange bolts.
swap headers and reverse process

long tubes are a pain, you gotta jack the motor up, you keep ruining starters...

ProKiller · Dec 1, 2006

right out of our FAQ....
http://www.stangnet.com/tech/shorties/shortyheader.html

jshelton2006 · Dec 1, 2006

OK, looks like i shouldnt have a problem doing it then. i have plenty of tools and i can get help. i hope its not too bad bc they are unequal length shorties. thanks a lot for all your help

final5-0 · Dec 1, 2006

jshelton2006 said:
OK, looks like i shouldnt have a problem doing it then. i have plenty of tools and i can get help. i hope its not too bad bc they are unequal length shorties. thanks a lot for all your help

Be sure and let us know how it goes for ya

Grady

headers install

jshelton2006

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86bluecobra

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Hef5.0weisen

94Blue302GT

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SeventyMach1

Keep it lubed .... keep it straight .... and keep

final5-0

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drakesdad

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badstang123

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SeventyMach1

Keep it lubed .... keep it straight .... and keep

1TallMF

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jshelton2006

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final5-0

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