equal header removal - need help

[xplo89gt]

I'm working on a friends car. He has unequal headers and he snapped the studs on them that connect to the hpipe while removing his old hpipe. We couldn't get the studs out from underneath the car while the headers were attached, so we decided to pull the headers. Well, the passenger side came out no problem, but the driver's side header will not come out ( no room ). What's the quickest and easiest way to do this? Thanks.

 

[Black 93 Fox]

Pull it towards you and around the steering shaft. Thats how I put mine in and take them out works real good. It just takes some time to wiggle it around things.

 

[xplo89gt]

It is very tight. I tried each way for like an hour yesterday. The steering column prevents it from going down and the heads and master cylinder prevent it from coming up. This car has a lot of miles on it, i'm sure the motor is sagging due to old mounts. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

[QDRHRSE]

Undue the motor mounts and lift the motor up, either with a jack from underneath or a hoist if you have one. This will same your knuckles and the finish on your exhaust. This is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way to take get equal lengths out.

 

[xplo89gt]

Thanks for the advice. I've never lifted a motor up before. What do you mean by undo the motor mounts? I don't have a hoist. Where do I place the jack? Under the oil pan? Also should the header come up out of the engine bay or down towards the ground? Thanks.

 

[93GreenLX]

There is 1 bolt on each motor mount on either side of the car, undo these bolts and lift the engine up with a jack. Oil pan should be fine. Then you will be able to wiggle it out and out a little better

 

[jerryD]

you can also unhook the steering shaft at the rag joint.

 

[Black 93 Fox]

You know not to just use the jack right under the oil pan right. You need to use some kind of wood to place between the jack and pan other wise well lets just say your gona have oil issues.

 

[xplo89gt]

Black 93 Fox, Yea i was going to use a heavy towel or piece of wood.

Jerry D, if I unhook the steering shaft, is it easy to get back on? Or does it require a lot of effort or force to line back up or what not?

Thanks for the help guys. I'll be doing this Saturday.. Gotta figure out the best method.

 

[ss93cobra]

On the driver's side of my car, I was able to slide it in from the front, such as right past the a/c compressor area, only way to get it in. Had to twist/rotate at the same time to get it past the steering shaft. Kind of a mother the first time around.

 

[Dbeck002]

You know not to just use the jack right under the oil pan right. You need to use some kind of wood to place between the jack and pan other wise well lets just say your gona have oil issues.

Agreed, spread the load evenly throughout the underside of the oil pan using a block of wood..

It wouldn't be cool when you go to start the car and the crank is banging up against the oil pan...

 

[jerryD]

if you unbolt it at the rag joint(down by the rack), it is just 2 bolts that need undone. slide the top part of it up and then slide the shaft over. may have to tap it with a hammer. don't forget which way it was alligned so that your steering wheel won't be ****-eyed when you put it back on.