My headers came slotted....great for laying the headers in and lined up, no help to get a wrench on that bolt though!
I usually lay down at the front of the engine, WITHOUT the power steering or fuel pump on the engine, and slide my arm alongside the engine from the front, do that for a bit, then remove the left front wheel, and use a 1/4 drive ratchet and u joint and do that for a bit, then lay back down in the front and do that some more, I use a long ratcheting box wrench, then talk to myself, stare at the engine, then give one of the dogs a kiss as they come over to see how Im doing. In other words, its not easy Just keep an upbeat mood, drink about 3 beers first, a mild buzz helps
Lol.....I wont be removing steering or fuel pumps, that's for sure. When I get back at it, I'll try the front wheel removal (although by looking at it, I dont see how that helps). If not, those bolts stay where they are, hanging on by A THREAD lol
You can see the offending bolt, and sorta kinda maybe if you try reach it, turn it a few turns, then when yer pissed, lay back down in front of the engine and talk to yerself again
Just a quick thought...would unbolting the motor mount(s) and jacking the engine a bit offer more clearance, or does that make it worse? Devon
I like your quick thought! When I pull my engine to install my aluminum heads I may try that, only I’ll try and install that side when the engine is halfway in
Reader glasses help in my case. But when crap falls into your eyeball and you jump up quick cause you've got crap in your eye, then you bash your noggin on some unknown frame part, you really get upset.... Have someone else tighten that center bolt.
Remove the heater core. It won't help with the header bolt, but it will be an easier task. Then put it back, and have a beer.
I wish I could remember the details of my last SBB project for a friend of mine, that would have been late 1980's, we were following the Kenne-Bell recipes for his '71 GS 350. It had to be near or about the same time TA started selling their aluminum dual plane intake for the first time, 'cause I remember doing a lot of grinding to enlarge the runners on their 1st generation SBB intake. I don't remember the header bolts being a huge challenge, but maybe I made my friend do it! Fun aside, I do seem to recall having good luck with the engine lifted a bit. Devon
I did my 1st 350 build back in the late 80's too. IIRC the headers were the 1st mod back in '86. Drove 700 mi. ea. way to the Nationals w/cherry bombs bolted to the collectors & no carpet/floor insulation - Loud & hot! Was probably a very early customer of TA's manifold in '87. I don't remember headers being that bad back then either but do remember that bolt when I redid it in the late 90's, lol. Maybe we were just younger in the 80's (or for some maybe partied a lot more while wrenching) & it wasn't such a big deal.
@Mart told me if I buy the headers he has for sale that he'd personally come over & install that bolt. I'm thinking about taking him up on the offer, lol.
It’s pretty easy to get at the Center bold on my headers. Just lay under the car and look up fir a clear view of the bolt.
What you want them to leak everywhere!!! Ok I went out to see how I do this and it is a B**** I have the 6 point stainless steel bolts in there and I hope I can get them out next time the gaskets leak and they will eventually so buy two sets and save for future, since it take a while to get themand if you had a Saturday you can do it in a day so get an extra set. Use the Craftsman box and open on other end you need to use both 3/8 Ok so on drivers side you have to use 3 fingers to hold the wrench and go between the first and second header pipe between #1 and #3 there I have to use the open end of the wrench. 1 face at a time. On the pass side you have to put your hand behind the first pipe from front of engine and there I was able to get the box end on the bolt. The best bet is to try and get the bolts in as far as you can with your fingers so you don't have to wrench for two weeks.
