i know the headers on these cars are a real tight fit,can i just install my headers on the engine before i drop it in or do i need to wait and install them after the engine is already installed.

 

I did mine the other day with them on. Take yours off, lol. Then set them in the engine bay and lower down over them.

 

ok thx. i can try that havent tried to install my engine yet was just curious if i could attch them to my motor before dropping it in,would make things easier,but i will try setting them in engine bay then dropping the motor in.then bolting them up,will i have problems changing my oil filter with my kick out oil pan.

 

did warm up but late today,so i did manage to get a little done,final sanded my door jams with 400 grit then layed my 2 coats of primer on them,now i just need to wet sand them with 600 grit and there ready for paint soon,then i can finally get my doors back on yahhhhh!!!

By bad436z28 at 2012-03-10

By bad436z28 at 2012-03-10

By bad436z28 at 2012-03-10

By bad436z28 at 2012-03-10

 

When I set mine in the other day. Not only did I leave the headers on but I came in from the side instead of the front. Never again! I just didn't have the room to come in from the front. I'm glad I picked up a leveler for the hoist that day. Otherwise the engine would have fought all day.

 

yeah i bet,even harder from the side i think im gonna try setting them in the engine bay then dropping my engine in,maybe that will be the easiest.

 

some people say there headers drop right in,and others say they fight with them for hours,hope mines one of the easy ones.Lol.some say u must pull ur starter then bolt it loosely then install ur starter,they also say u must remove shift linkage for manual cars then re install after headers are in,and they must go in from the bottom,hope i dont have to go thru all that.

 

There is much to say about shorty headers.... they don't fight you nearly so bad..

 

When I installed the headers on my previous 79 I had to go through the bottom and uninstall/reinstall the starter and part of the shift linkage. It was a PITA, so the second time when I was installing an engine I had the passenger side header installed but left the driver side off that way I still had plenty of room to manuver the engine, it worked out pretty good then I either had to go through the bottom for the driver side or installed it while the engine was halfway in can't remember though but goodluck on yours.

 

I think I went through the bottom on the passenger side too. I left the starter on when I pulled it. Left it on when I put it back in. I plan a quick disconnect for the wires in the future.

The setting them before hand idea is almost fool proof though. Like I said I got mine in but I dont have any sheet metal on and the collectors scratched my freshly painted floor pans. Good thing I used rustoleum. I can touch it up pretty easy.