headers not lining up anymore???

torch93 · Jan 15, 2011

im in the middle of changing my header gasket and trying to put on my bolts, and i can only get a couple bolts in. the others go in off thread , and i got afr 185 so i dont wanna strip the threads... could all this mean my headers are wharped? i had em since 2003 and they r mac shorties..do u guys recom. new headers? and if ya then should i go shorties or long tubes?
t.i.a

jrichker · Jan 15, 2011

Say the secret word and spend $$$ on new headers ... Mac. All Mac headers seem to be made with individual flanges for the head to header junction. It is not uncommon for them to not fit after they have been heated up and then removed.

Make sure your next set of headers have a single steel plate at least 1/4" thick that all the pipes are welded to. Ford Racing are some of the best, and they fit time after time and don't warp or twist.

BIGDATOWN · Jan 15, 2011

Very common problem for those individual flanged headers. They make a tool pretty inexpensive that is made for manifolds. Search manifold spreader..

larrym1961 · Jan 15, 2011

I had a set of Mac Shorties that did the same thing! I had to wallow out the bolt holes with a drill bit to get them to bolt back up! The next gasket change they went into the dumpster and got replaced by a set of BBK's!

torch93 · Jan 15, 2011

Ok I'm glad to hear (kinda) that I'm not the only one... Ya I don't mind gettin some new headers.. I had those cuz I got em for free. But not worth keeping.... Larrym1961 drilling idea might work.. Cuz the bolts are off by like 35 40 mils of a inch..

torch93 · Jan 15, 2011

Oh btw what would be the the way to go? Long tube, equal length, or shorties? Looking to save money so brand us not a issue for me.. Thanks guys
cancel that guys, going to make a thread about exhaust

torch93 · Jan 15, 2011

BIGDATOWN said:
Very common problem for those individual flanged headers. They make a tool pretty inexpensive that is made for manifolds. Search manifold spreader..

i just googled that tool that you speak of looks pretty easy to use, any idea if a local auto parts store would carry it? i only saw ebay, and amazon

larrym1961 · Jan 15, 2011

When I installed my 306 I went with a BBK 1 5/8 ceramic coated full length header. If I were to install a shortie style header the Ford Racing 1 5/8 stainless would be a nice way to go a lot of guys here on Stangnet seem to agree!

HiFlow5 0 · Jan 15, 2011

I had a set of MAC shorties that did the same thing, warped under heating and cooling. MAC headers are known for warping because of the individual flange tubes. You should be able to line them back up when bolting on with a pry bar. I swapped them out to a set of solid flange headers and those never warped. You get what you pay for in this game.

BIGDATOWN · Jan 15, 2011

The guy that showed it to me got it at either a napa store or sears. cant really remember, If you decide to buy other headers i'll take those from you. lol

torch93 · Jan 15, 2011

BIGDATOWN said:
The guy that showed it to me got it at either a napa store or sears. cant really remember, If you decide to buy other headers i'll take those from you. lol

lol if you still want em by the time i get my new ones ill pm you

BIGDATOWN · Jan 15, 2011

you got it lol i'm sure i'll still want them tho

torch93 · Jan 15, 2011

what guys think about these?

Summit Racing SUM-G9030 - Summit Racing® Headers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

larrym1961 · Jan 15, 2011

If you want them to last, you have to go with a ceramic coated or stainless header. Painted ones, the paint will burn right off and be come a rusty ugly mess in no time!

BIGDATOWN · Jan 15, 2011

They'll work ok i guess. Not very big on the o2 placement. Would like it better if it was in the collector to measure each side as a whole. And you will hate the collector because it uses a gasket whick will always leak!!! You should look into the mac long tubes. They have individual flanges also but you can move the tubes very easily without a prybar!!

No.11 · Jan 16, 2011

my bbk shorties did this. it was a nightmare. i had to drill out the holes a little bigger so they would line up with the bolt holes on the heads. all because of one little bolt that was missing, i ended up taking the whole thing apart...

torch93 · Jan 16, 2011

larrym1961 said:
If you want them to last, you have to go with a ceramic coated or stainless header. Painted ones, the paint will burn right off and be come a rusty ugly mess in no time!

ok, i take it those are a lil pricey? what would be a good set of long tubes?

2000xp8 · Jan 17, 2011

Bassani equals, I'll never use another mac product again, i've had plenty of mac products go bad, all things i bought at cheap pricing, but it isn't really cost effective to do things twice. Pay now, save later.
Since you are using afr 185's, i'll assume that your car makes pretty good power, probably enough that standard shorties are a restriction.

Long tubes are ok, but require the headers and a new h pipe, they also have some ground clearance issues on lowered cars and may require extensions for the o2 sensors.

I've had a few sets of headers and seen pretty much them all.
Bassani's are my favorite out of what i'd consider affordable headers, although they are twice as much as the crappy brands.
Kooks would be my number one favorite, but you are going to pay serious money for them.

StormWatch · Jan 26, 2011

I'm running a set of MAC shorties that have been on a bunch of different heads combos.

I use a crowbar to align the bolt holes and use MR Gasket header bolts.

torch93 · Jan 27, 2011

i got my car back from the paint shop couples days ago and i went ahead and just drill out the bolt holes a lil bigger and got the job done .. however im going to get some bassani equal or something similar, just i hate to go through the same road again... thanks guys for the huge help :SNSign:

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