Pics of my new headers. Any install tips????

[Dan95-5.0]

i got a set of brand spankin new fox style Mac 1 5/8's Unequal length shorty headers for my mustang. they were uncoated tho. i got them for $75 Canadian . i tryed calling around and everybody who ceramic coats locally is no longer doing it or trying to stop.

i dont want to send the headers out to get coated because i want to install them ASAP.

i painted them with some Duplicolor 1200' aluminum paint (HD 1606) that i picked up.

damn that MAC paint was a pain to get off. took me a while to remove the paint but i got it all off and then degreased the whole thing then applied 3 light thin coats of the header paint.

heres some pics. it was about to rain before i took the pics so i'm sure it would look better in the sun light. looks good tho and i'm happy with them so far.

i'm going to let them dry up for a week then install them this coming friday

it looks really good and almost looks ceramic coated.


does anybody have any install tips on installing them to make things go easier???

i'm going to use the copper gaskets and the bolts that came with them and after initial startup, locktite the bolts.

 

[bimmertech]

i personally did not like the way the copper gaskets worked, what i had to do was warm up the engine and tighten the bolts down to get it to seal. may have just been me though. two weeks later i pulled the copper gaskets off and put regular cheapo felpro's on and haven't had a problem since.

 

[LoudToy958]

I agree with the gaskets, get the felpro 1415, and you be a lot happier. I too had issues with the coppers. Such to have to replace them.

As far as install, they look really good. I can tell you took your time gettting them painted. I would wrap them in bubble wrap, or saran wrap to try and prevent scratching them up during the install. Not the flange, but the rest of the header. Shorties should go in pretty easy. Just be patient. It is time consuming, and one of the bolts is a PITA. The bolt behind the power steering pump is tuff. I found a ratcheting wrench worked great in the spot.

Good luck, and lets see some finish product pics........................

 

[mackey]

I did these same exact headers in a 94. Make sure you get bolts that have a hex head in them. It makes things 10 times easier! There is really no room to put a socket around and barely enough for an open end. You are also going to have to wedge them up and hold up each primary as you attach them to the head to make sure they all go in straight and do not strip anything.

 

[wytstang]

Use these instructions to help guide you
http://www.centuryperformance.com/jbaheaders/install15.htm

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

Use a set of the Craftsman ratcheting box end wrenches. They make the tightening sooooo easy. I wish I had a set years ago.

 

[FastFord]

all good ideas... you might also consider some stage 8 locking header bolts if you are worried about loosening header bolts.

 

[GRGT1994]

I am not sure that locktite is called for on header bolts. I could be wrong there, and hopefully someone else will chime in if I am. But I know my BBK LT header instructions did not call for locktite.

As a general rule, you should never use that stuff on a car unless it is recommended (it's a sure way to round over and break a bolt when you need to take it out).

 

[wytstang]

I'm pretty sure the heat produced will render the locktite useless.

 

[super302]

dam, those look nice

 

[Dan95-5.0]

thanks for the tips guys.

i like that bubble wrap idea. hopefully i can find some laying around.

i read some old chevy performance books a while ago and they said to use loctite after the initial startup to prevent the bolts from backing out.

i wouldnt use the red loctite. just the blue (removable)

i'm not sure if the loctite can withstand the heat. i find out sooner or later. lol

 

[GRGT1994]

OK, but the Haynes manuel and BBK instructions say nothing about thread lock. Just don't want you to break a bold down the road.

 

[91LX_5L]

$75CAD wicked deal bud, whered u get them.

For me the only gaskets what worked are either FORD gaskets (they kick ass, can even re-use them) or a felpro gasket with high temp silicone. My bolts only have ever backed out on the first good run. I got some 12 point is it? bolts, there nice. Got them off ebay for like $12.00 they are 1" long which is a bit longer then usual.

 

[mackey]

Put motor oil on the bolts! Makes them 10x easier to thread in.

Start on the outer two bolts put them in then slide the gasket in.

If you reuse the stock header bolts might want to throw some lock washers under the heads of the bolts.

There is my 2cents

 

[Dan95-5.0]

i got a the headers from a person locally selling them on a message board.

he originally had a cougar/thunderbird and never got the chance to install them and ended up selling the car.

i'm going to try out these Mac copper gaskets at first and if they blow out, no big deal. I'll end up getting some felpros

4 days and counting till install time. i cant wait to hear and feel a difference

 

[Dan95-5.0]

got the exhaust manifolds out today and cleaned the gasket surfaces. going to take my time and install them tommorow morning.

Question: Are the collector studs and nut that come with the headers supposed to come apart or stay together? i cant get the nut off the stud so i'm assuming that i have to install the headers first then from under the car thread the bolt through the H-pipe then to the exhaust manifold collector. Is this correct?

thanks. more picks coming up soon and maybe a video clip

 

[91LX_5L]

the studs can come out but it doesnt matter, you bolt it up from undernieth after you have installed the headers.

 

[Green 94 5.0]

those look nearly identical in finish to the ceramics i just installed. hopefully the color stays the same even though i have never seen paint of any kind hold up on a set of headers. installing shorties is a breeze by the way except for a couple hard to reach bolts like the one all the way in the front. good luck with it.