Passenger Side Header

I can't seem to get the my passenger side longtube header in my car. I have everything I need out of the car and the car on jack stands that are on cement bricks. I don't know if I can/need to go higher or what. But the header won't go in top or bottom. (I know its suppose to go in from the bottom). Is there a special way to wiggle it in or what? And I can't/won't loosen motor mounts. That is just out of the question. Is a pacesetter LT on a 94 Z28. Thanks.

I was told engine has to come out to put headers on... not sure if that's just for my application or all applications, but...

People have installed LT's on their 4th gens without pulling the motor, but access to things would be easier with the motor out of the car.

But I think I am at the verge of giving up now and I think I am going to loosen the motor mounts and jack up the engine ever so slightly. But I don't know the first thing about doing this. Could someone help me and tell me where to place the jack on the motor and where to loosen the mounts. Do I loosen them from the motor or from the frame?

If the mounts have the long bolt through them, just take off the nut and pull them out. You will have to jack up the engine to take some of the load off them. I generally jack the engine up under the oil pan using a block of wood or plywood padded with some junk carpet. You can use a floor jack or bottle type jack. Watch out that the distributor cap doesn't hit the firewall and other things don't get stressed in the process.

Bob

All that weight won't damage the oil pan if I do that? Could I possibly put the jack closer towards the passenger side, because I think I only need to move it a few inches. But doing this really makes me nervous. I hope it doesn't rain today so I can finish this up.

I have had the engine weight crease the oil pan before, but they've never leaked after or had any other problems. Try to spread the load out as much as possible with a piece of plywood and thin carpet. You want to get the jack as close to the center as possible so it won't slide out and let the engine drop. I've seen guys lift the engine by the dampener but don't recommend it for fear of bending the crank snout. This is only reason #432 why I don't like headers in passenger cars.

Bob

Yeah, these headers are becoming a bitch. I decided to jack the back end of the car up so I could get the front end higher to get the clearance I needed. It worked, but now, I still can't get it all the way up. The EGR thing on the header won't clear the bend in the fender wall. Any suggestions there? I am beginning to hate this.

Sorry but in some cases it is required to loosen the passenger side motor mount and slightly lift the engine. If you won't do it. It may never go in.

Thanks for that great news.
I am going to try and attempt it tomorrow when I have more light. Nothing like trying something major for the first time in twilight hours.

So, how exactly do I go about doing this? Place a jack under the engine, lift it slightly to take pressure off the mount, loosen the bolt and take it out, then jack the engine a few inches? And when all is said and done, the engine should drop down into the mount perfectly so I can put the bolt back?
I am so not sure about doing this, but its a last resort.

Depending on how far its off (a few hairs versus a few inches) you may want to attempt to jack the engine with the mount in place. You will get around a inch or so of lift with it in place and it may just be enough to squeeze it by. However if this is not enough. You want to jack up the engine only enough to take up slack. Then remove the mount bolt (you may have to lift or lower to get the bolt out, the idea is to take pressure off the bolt). Then continue to ljack the engine so it pivots and then attempt to slide the header in. Most important part of doing this is to remember to use wood in between the jack and the engine so as to not cause damage. Good luck. Also I don't remember for sure what need to come out to have access to the bolt and I removed alot of things such as my air conditioning compressor so I can't tell you if its in the way or not but a few things may have to come out.

I tried that already, with jacking the motor up with the bolt still in. I don't think it worked. But I didn't go up high because it was on the oil pan. But I can't find any place to jack the motor up other than the oil pan. And putting that much pressure on it makes me nervous. Are there any other options that I'm just not seeing? But I'll try it all tomorrow and let yea know how it goes. And if I don't log on anymore, that means I broke my car and technically don't have a camaro anymore.

headers are like a puzzle... you may not think it will go in but the slightest little movement or different angle and it pops right in

I almost spent an entire day devoted to trying to get this header up with no dice. I freakin hate this car right now. The damn EGR tube on the back of the header is what's causing the hang up right now. I really don't know what to do. It seems like I've tried every angle, twice, top and bottom. I guess I'll go back out there and do it again.

So Cuda, did you have to mess with the motor mounts at all, or did you wiggle the header up as is? I need hope here people.

nope, never touched my motor mounts

get us some pictures so I can see if you have anything in the way or to atleast see what you're working with

Just cause Cuda didn't have to touch the mount doesn't mean you won't have to. Not every engine sits the same on the rubber motor mounts and not all mounts are in the same condition. So , like I said. I have heard that sometimes it is necessary to remove a mount and pivot. Just like some will have problems with steering linkage contact and some will not.

I got lucky with the steering knuckle clearance because I had no problems with that. But I didn't want to put that much pressure on the oil pan, so I am going to rent a hoist and support the engine from the top than from the jack. Problem is I work all day tomorrow and start school on Monday. So I don't know when I will have time to work on it again.

God, I feel like a loser, I have somehow managed to turn a maybe 2-3 day project into more than a week.

Oh, when I do get the cherry picker, how exactly do I support then engine with it? Where on the engine do I hook it up to? Pics would be nice. Thanks.

To lift the entire motor run a chain diagonally front to back, bolt it to the front of the block and the back of the head in the back, GM was nice enough to leave holes for most of us, depending on what accessories you have on your ride. To lift one side, run a chain front to back on that side, just be careful what you attach it to, and make sure the bolts are tight so they don't bend or break. Also, be careful when you run the chain, make sure it will not hit anything and break or damage it.

I think I am going to try and just raise the passenger side just enough to slip the header in.

And, does anyone appox. how long the O2 sensor wires need to be for the passenger side? My original is stuck in the manifold and I am going to buy an already extened one so I don't have to splice anything. I know 24" would def. be long enough, but I don't want all that slack if I only need a 12". I know I should have measured and estimated while under the car, but I was sidetracked.

I would say you want around 16 - 18 inches and your right, only one mount is necessary to remove to get it in and plus only removing one will make it easier to get the bolt whole lined up again.

I hope this little extra project turns out to be somewhat easy. Do you think the hood will have to come off or could I possibly leave it on with the hoist? I've never used one before, but I'll have my dad help me. Oh yeah, I think I'll also have the car up on jack stands so I have enough room under the car to slide the header up. Is that a good to have it up on jacks or would it not be too safe? Should the car have all 4 on the ground when using a hoist?

I hope this little extra project turns out to be somewhat easy.


All this trouble for a header?:disappoin

Will work for beer :iceslolan

All this trouble for a header?:disappoin

Will work for beer :iceslolan

Yeah, this install is becoming a chore. I just wasn't anticipating the motor mount thing for this install. But good news, a guy down the street who works on a shit load of cars is going to let me borrow his cherry picker. He also came up and looked at my car for opinions and advise. He has a 64 Nova (388 stroker) and a 69 Impala (409) in his garage, while a 99 vette, 94 GT, and a foxbody 5.0 sit in his driveway. At least he has priorities straight.
I'll start working on it again Wed. after school.