Installing headers

[hunter4ever12]

When installing headers on my 5.0 L K1500 is there any special precautions I should take? I talked to a fellow mechanic at work and told him I was putting headers on my pickup and he said not to because he put them on his El Camino and they "melted everything." What do I need to do to prevent that from happening.

Also when putting on the headers is there a place to screw in the oxygen sensors on them or am I going to have to modify that set up in some way?

[jdmccright]

You can reduce the heat emitted by buying headers with a ceramic coating. Also make sure that all wires and hoses are held clear of the hot surfaces by using zip ties. Do not use the header heat wrap as these can retain water and cause rusting of the header.

Most headers do come with the welded-in bungs needed to install O2 sensors, so no need to fuss with them yourself. Just verify that what you are buying is for your vehicle year and engine...most will have a bung for each bank for the pre-cat sensors, but if your truck is pre-1996, you won't need them since the single bung is located in the y-pipe...just leave the plugs in.

Hope this helps!

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by hunter4ever12

When installing headers on my 5.0 L K1500 is there any special precautions I should take? I talked to a fellow mechanic at work and told him I was putting headers on my pickup and he said not to because he put them on his El Camino and they "melted everything." What do I need to do to prevent that from happening.

Also when putting on the headers is there a place to screw in the oxygen sensors on them or am I going to have to modify that set up in some way?

buy the ceramic coated headers. then if you find too much heat in the engine compartment use the wrap. the ceramic coating will prevent rust anyway...

when headers are installed the rapid exhaust cooling can reduce power by increasing exhaust back pressure.. with insulation this is eliminated..don't need much to achieve this..

using plug wire heat loom with this 5.0L may also be needed...

[Scrapper]

my nephew just sold a brand new pair of ceramics he put them on graigs list i think he sold them for $80.00 if i new hew was selling that cheap i would've bought them.

[tblake]

Also when buying headers, pay attention to how they block the spark plugs/plug wires. With headers, chances are you are going to have to use a wrench instead of a spark plugs socket and ratchet.