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Old 10-06-2014, 12:13 PM
78w72 78w72 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: iowa
Posts: 5,598
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best way to install headers on a 2nd gen is from underneath the car with engine in, as the direction should indicate. trying to do it from the top is more trouble than its worth IMO. jack the car up as high as you can, ramps are a minimum but even higher is better. 18-24" if possible, front & rear. & best value in bolts are summits stainless header bolts, they have knurling under the head that will keep them from backing out, get the small 5/16 or 3/8 head.

most headers have a keyhole slot on the flange to "hang" the header off the center bolt, install that bolt only a couple threads in the head. that allows you to install the rest of the bolts without fighting with holding the header up. get a helper to stand up top & guide the header in as you hold & lift it from underneath. motor mount bolts out, oil filter housing off & all 4 speed & neutral lockout linkage unhooked & removed. you may have to jack or lift the engine a few inches to help them slide in, but thats mainly for the big 1-7/8 or 2" tube headers, smaller ones should fit ok.

i have installed & reinstalled due to test fitting, cam break in, or to ceramic coat headers no less than 10 times on my cars over the years, if you do it this way & be patient, they are actually a pretty simple & basic install. not sure why so many people have such a hard time installing headers. on an a/c car the pass side will be a little tighter but still very doable.

& as stated above, retorque the bolts after a few heat cycles, i prefer to let the engine cool completely, not just untill you can touch a head. then again periodically every season/year or so. i have a set of hedman headers on my 78 t/a that used the cheapo supplied paper gaskets & they are doing fine after almost 6 years & thousands of miles & even some drag strip use & very hard running on the street. you dont need the high dollar gaskets IMO, the metal core graphite ones from felpro or mr gasket are fine.

good luck