I'm beat!!! Finally got the heads off today. Drivers side rear cylinder was full of water. Could not get the steam pipe bolts out of the heads so we continued with the head removal and lifted the heads out with the steam pipe connected. Thank goodness my son was helping! Once the heads were out and sitting on the bench, the bolts on the steam pipe decided they wanted to loosen up. Luckily, manifold bolts were pretty easy to loosen but a bear to get too! Passenger side exhaust manifold was a trick to get out. Mission accomplished for today. I just thought there was no room around the 3.8 until I started working on LT1.

A couple questions. Considering the PITA the passenger side exhaust manifold was getting out, should I place it in the engine bay before putting the head on. Second, is there suppose to be some sort of sealant on the banjo bolts that secure the steam pipe? These look like someone put sealant on the threads.

 

should be a o shaped rubber washer gasket. lol best i can explain it. book calls it a engine coolant air bleed seal, (o ring) 93 part # 10108689
i would try and put the manifold in there first. would be a great time to do headers.

 

Yes, headers! Been thinking about that but I am still waiting on MY bailout! LOL.

 

you'll regret not putting on headers right now. With the heads out it's a piece of cake. I can't believe I'm saying this but try the knockoffs on Ebay. I believe some members here have used them.

 

Do they connect to the existing exhaust system without mod's?