Ok my friend is installing my header, but he cant remove the old header from the car, Do you have to remove ythe top part from the downpipe to get it out? And if not how do we get the 3 bolts ythat hold them together, thanks
1 hour…and nothing, oh well gotta go pack everything back up. thanks guys:(
breaker bar?
Sorry for the very late reply. If you’re still in the process of removing the old header, you have to remove the bottom first. Make sure you have disconnected the O2 sensor. There is an I-beam that obstructs the 3 bolts since you have to do this from the bottom of the car. I recommend a lot of liquid wrench since you’ll be working with rusted bolts.
The other way is to not bother at all. Just remove the exhaust manifold bolts, cat bolts, and one support bolt. Pull the header from the bottom of the car and you’re done.
Good luck,
Oz
SO I can remove it in one peice? just have to remove the support bolt? thanks guys.
I don’t think it’ll fit in one piece, but maybe I’m wrong. Mine didn’t seem to be able to fit out the bottom in one piece, and I don’t think it’s possible to pull it out the top in one piece either. Just try undoing al the bolts on the header and try to get it into two pieces. All my bolts came of surprisingly easily, except for one, which was one between the downpipe (?b-pipe?) and the cast section coming from the head. So I ended up having to cut the header downpipe to get it out, and once it was cut it came out easily. Just soak all the fasteners with pb blaster/liquid wrench/wd-40/etc for a while, then use a breaker bar or a decent ratchet (I only had to use a breaker bar on two of the nuts/bolts). It took me approximately 2 hours, but that was after having to cut the downpipe, as well as find where the hell I’d put my tools. Don’t forget to replace all the gaskets (between the head/header, and between cat/header), and torque everything to spec.
Oh, I just noticed, to get at the 3 bolts between the downpipe/cast part, you will probably have to remove the front jacking point (forget the name, it’s the bar that runs from the front crossmember to the rear crossmember/chassis), and you’ll have to use some socket extensions as well as possibly a universal joint for your socket. It’s not too hard to get to them, just be careful not to strip or break them if possible, or you’ll have to cut the header out most likely.
to take it off you’ll have to take off the bottom first. the suppor tbeam will prob hit when you put in a new one. what seesm to be hard is to remove the top piece and to remove that you will need to pay special attention to the O2 sensor. that is what will be blocking you from pulling it out. the gith iss limited but you will have to pull it out from the top. basically you will need to pull it out at an angle where the o2 sensor will not hit and it will pull right out. it’ll still require some mucscle but you should be able to see a straight clearance once you angle the O2 sensor.
getting your hedder out
I just installed my hedder and I disconnected the downpipe first and then the top came right out betwwen the engine and the cooler.
-A
we cant get those bolts off, that is the problem
hedder reply
if your’re still on line hit me at @blupvp@aol.com and I’ll get you some info.
peace -A
why can’t you get teh 3 bolts off?? they should be in reach from the bottom. spray som eWD-40 and just use a long extension hook up to it and get everyone to pull on it while someone holds it. someone might get hurt but if you don’t have a impact gun that is the only way my friend. brute force =P
see the thing is, I was not installing it, my friend was trying to do it while I ws at work. He said he couldnot even reach the 1 of the bolts, and the other 2 his impact gun couldnot even get off. this sucks, I think I am going to go to the shop and have them do it for 90 dollers:(
going to the shop
first things first don’t waste your $ on going to the shop. Get a 12mm (Ithink its 12mm) box end and get a pair of vice grips on the bottom end. Then be patient and use the open end from the top. the nut on the right hand side when looking down you have to get from the bottom and use a box end on the other end. Don’t be impatient. It also helps to have a good 12" extension.
-A