Hey there... I'm very close to installing my 455/th400 into my 66 Lark. I've only removed engines from cars, never installed one yet. :laugh: Should I attempt to install the motor with the headers attached (and risk busting them up in the process) or should I attempt to install the headers after the motor is installed (and risk busting up my knuckles in the process)? What would be less of a pain? Thanks! :TU:
I can't say what would be best in your situation, but a general rule is to lay the headers in the engine bay first, install the engine and then bolt up the headers.
ethan-you will need to leave them unbolted as you lower the engine-in most cases both of them wont stay in the hole unless you have the front fenders and inner fenders removed. if you do, thats the way to do it. if the front sheet metal is on, you will need to get the engine and trans bolted together, the lift the FRONT of the engine back up and slide the headers up from underneath. some of this varies depending on whether your car has a/c and power stg/brakes. in any case, its rarely fun or easy to fit the headers. good luck.
Thanks everyone for the tips so far... Attached is a picture of what the front end looks like now. Not much there to bump into, except all of my brand new brake and suspension parts!! I'll be installing with the engine connected to the trans. And they are full length headers. Laying them in place or sliding up from underneath sounds like the way to go...
That Hotchkiss swaybar is DEFINITELY gonna be in the way even if you lay the headers in first (my experienced recommendation). It'll never work with headers. I'll take it off your hands.
Are those KYBs and new coils too? Those are trouble too - they never work with headers. I can take those off your hands too! Good luck with your headers though! Don't forget to fire it at least once wide open. No self respecting Buick man should go through life without hearing the BBB terrorize the 'hood.
That sway bar is awesome! :TU: Regarding your headers..... , yup, as everyone else has said, lay them in there (kinda underneath) and then drop the engine in. You'll never get it all in if they're bolted together. Good luck! :beer
LOL! :laugh: No way, man! Nice try. p I will definitely fire it up wide open and shake the doors off of my neighbors' houses. Let's see if I can't break some windows!
