HEADERS UGGGH!!!!

[Adam95GT]

How do you guys put in the bolt on the front most driver side... behind the PS pump... i cant do it.... i just cant.... HEADERS FTL.... and i cant get the rear most on the pass side in either.... i went and bolt new header bolts that use an allen tool or 7/16'' and the allen stripped right out of the back most one... i cant get a wrench on it or anything... and i cant get the front most driver side started... so many problems today... H pipe wouldnt come off broke off the studs and they got stuck on the h pipe so i had to remove it and cut it off..... just a complete pain....

 

[Adam95GT]

**** 2x posted

 

[95cobraguy]

for the drivers side front u need a 7/16 universal, 1/4 drive with a few different extensions. i remember that bolt when i still had the p/s and a/c, it is a nightmare. since i deleted the a/c and p/s i can get to that bolt with my eyes closed. i always drill the end bolt holes a little bigger, elongating them. this way u have a little more side to side with the header and its easier to get the bolts started.

 

[Killercanary]

If I remember correctly you bought used headers without a single flange that connects all the primaries together. if i am correct, then your problem is warpage. When headers with individual flanges (one per primary tube) are installed and heat cycled and then removed they are a bastard to get back on. You will need to have a friend pry that primary tube in whichever direction it needs to go while you try and get the bolt in. This is why you will see myself and others always post to get headers with a single flange that connects all of the primaries as they are less susceptible to this.

 

[mootang]

yep, my old style bbk shorties without the one peice flange took me 8 hours to reinstall one day because they warped, i ended up prying them into position to get the bolts in. they were warped a good 1/4 to 1/2 inch though. if yours are warped do the hardest bolts first and then you can pry the other ones into possition to get the easy bolts in. good luck.

 

[91LX_5L]

I got my self the 10 point bolts they are easier but the one wrench, my favorite wrench is my 3/8 wrench with the flexible closed end (moves back and forth) with the ratchet action, its just slightly bulkier then most wrenches, nice and short and it works perfect for header bolts, I have changed my gaskets 3 times and 2 sets of headers and I love that wrench every time I use it...took me like 45 min to install headers vs 3+ hours without it the 1st time.

 

[Adam95GT]

the problem is no longer the warpage... i got all of them to line up.... the problem is i cant reach the 2 bolts i mentioned with any took to tighten them...

 

[Adam95GT]

Still having problems with the front driverside bolt... wont go in... i can get it in but i cant get a socket on it or wrench to start threading it strait.... ugghhh... the car is down and running i dont wanna drive it because i dont want to blow the gasket....

 

[Therian]

Still having problems with the front driverside bolt... wont go in... i can get it in but i cant get a socket on it or wrench to start threading it strait.... ugghhh... the car is down and running i dont wanna drive it because i dont want to blow the gasket....

They can be tricky. I think I remember that bolt. it was a PITA. You won't be getting a socket on it (or atleast I couldn't) so I would focus on wrenching. It's slow as hell...but you should be able to do quarter turns, even in that cramped location.

Just be patient...it will go in. You may need a smaller wrench (handle)

Also, I had to bring this up now...but what gaskets did you use?

 

[ghetto5oh]

i got an old wrench and just cut it in half to have a shorter hadle that way it should fit in that tight space, then just turn it slowly

 

[Stanger007]

i got an old wrench and just cut it in half to have a shorter hadle that way it should fit in that tight space, then just turn it slowly

+1, I did the same... cut the open end off of a 7/16 wrench and used that to tighten the bolt.

Have used that same wrench a few times to take the headers on and off.

Wes

 

[Adam95GT]

the problem is i cant get the bolt started... so i cant wrench it in... if i could get it started strait it would be no problem a 1/4 drive and socket with a univerisal will reach it with a 6'' extention

 

[urban96]

maybe you need to reem out that bolt hole in the header flange

 

[Adam95GT]

think im about to just take off the PS pump and save me alot of head ache....

 

[urban96]

its probably easiest to remove the whole bracket, only 3 bolts. one of them is right behind the PS pulley tho. but if you have a thin 1/2" wrench you should be able to fit it in there to get to the bolt

 

[BlackVert]

but then it's next to impossible hard to get the ps bracket off without taking the pulley off. i couldn't get a wrench in there

how about using a stud for that spot?

 

[Therian]

have you tightened any of the other bolts on that side? I'd be taking the other three out, and focusing on that first one

 

[Adam95GT]

I beat the bolt.... 11mm U jointed socket with a 6'' 1/4'' socket extention.... worked out well... had to put alot of pressure on it but i got it to go! and strait at that... there is a small exhaust leak still i think... it could just be the pipe to my smog thats not connected to my cats... or it could be the sound of a better breathing motor... ill check it out tomorrow i guess... there is a noticable difference with the headers though... i didnt think there would be...