Installing motor with stage 2 headers on Sunday

With my freshly-built 455 going in my 1972 Skylark GS in 1983 it was the engine bolted in first, then transmission bolted to engine and I fed the headers in from the bottom up. But you need to have the car blocked up for sufficient clearance to feed the headers up. I had the rear tires on the ground and chocked and raised the front to get the right angle and clearance with jack stands under each side of the front of the frame. And that was with the old Hooker around-the-frame headers with 2" primary tubes and 3 1/2" collectors.

Nando.

 

Well thanks for all the advice. Let you know how it goes.

 

Your GS engine transplant reminds me of my first engine transplant back in 1983. When my dad and I fired the 455 up - after priming the oil system - we had to break in the cam and lifters, so no idling. With open headers and in a garage it was quite the sonic experience. My mom came running downstairs from the upstairs dining room to say, "You're breaking the china in the cabinet!"


Nando.

 

I put the headers on my supercharged motor while the transmission was attached to the motor and the motor in the car. I thought it was way easier than putting Stage 1 headers on.

 

She’s in. No issues

 

Lookin' good! I see smiles, must be good news.

Devon

 

You did this solo? Surely, you had your wife spotting for you. Nice job! And you intend on retaining the stock front fender emblems for extra-sleeper status?

Nando.

 

Nando, i had my son in law there to help. It went very smooth with tranni still in car. I think having the lower steering shaft removed made life easier. I was able to leave the header studs in place on the heads, headers were relatively a non event.
I will have to change routing of a front brake line, the fuel return for the surge tank. Minor stuff.

 

Is there an exhaust gasket installed???

 

Yes there is

 

Looks like we’re in the same boat, I’m installing an Iron Head Stage 2 in mine. Yours is looking great. This one’s a Skylark, my other is a GS Stage 1 with white buckets like yours, both ZZ Flame Orange.
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Looks good, who's roller rockers are those?

 

Those are TA Roller rockers.. they are no longer anodized Red.

Good job on the install, especially paying attention to the dipstick.. too many guys forget that, and it can be an issue if you wait till everything is bolted up.

JW

 

He mentioned a fuel return line for a surge tank. Sounds like he may be attempting fuel injection. I'm sure he will clarify.

 

I have a surge tank with a Bosch pump. The stage 1 pump just fills the surge tank. Surge tanks holds 1.5 quarts. Plenty for a 12 second blast at my power level. I’m going carb…..have a modified qjet, a Holley hp1000, a Holley 850

 

One comment on the stage 2 headers - way too close to front right brake line in a couple places. Will have to figure out another route. I had moved combo valve to top of frame, even there I will add a heat shield. I was using the vapour return line as my fuel return line from the surge tank, that is too close as well in several spots, so I think a new line and route as well.