[64speed]

Any tips for getting the header gaskets for Dougs headers in an a body would be greatly appreciated. I am afraid I’m gonna have to pull the steering shaft

[JLMounce]

Is the front end on the car yet?

Of all the cars I've worked on with tight headers or down-pipes it was always easiest to lay those things in where they should go and have the engine come down with them loosely in place. If you've got a cherry picker and the front end is off the car, unbolt the motor mounts and lift the engine a bit as needed. That's how I'd do it anyhow.

[AG]

Remflex hands down the best I've used.

["QUICK-SILVER"]

Cut the gasket so you can slide front, middle two and rear individually.

Clay

[64speed]

Yes they are remflex. and yes the front end is on the car

[02Hawk]

Its easier with the radiator and all the pullies stc not there. Use a mini starter and don't put in until the headers are on. Cut the gaskets as Quick Silver suggests.....I have also used the engine lift to lift the motor a few inches. I always put the transmission in after the headers.....way more room to wack and swear

[Scott65]

I've never had a problem with getting the gaskets in in one piece with Doug's round ports in my '65. What issue are you having?

[tom s]

Be VERY careful with those Remflex,if you crack them in the ports you will throw them away!Very fragile,by far the best if you can get them in without breaking them.Tom

[Half-Inch Stud]

I use the graphite clad steel from ..Mr Gasket? and locking Header bolts. Rather great results.


Install is old school: lay headers in bay, lower engine in, bend over to fiddle with gaskets and bolts for awhile, tighten with special Box wrench and open wrench for the win. Add lock clips.

[64speed]

I have the remflex. I made a mistake. I laid the headers in the engine bay obviously cause they wont go in any other way but I did not have the gaskets on them. I can put the passenger side on all day but I am have a hell of a time doing the drivers side. Is it ok to cut the remflex with aviation snips between the ports because that would add at least a modicum of ease.

[Skip Fix]

On my IA/Camaro I used Percy's -graphite and metal. Less easy to crack than the Remflex. And even if you have 2" headers do not get Remflex 2" gaskets-bolt holes not close enough in where the actual holes are!

I also made some custom length SS header bolts to get a little more thread purchase and ARP also has some thicker and larger washers to spread the load out better you can custom order.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 64speed

I have the remflex. I made a mistake. I laid the headers in the engine bay obviously cause they wont go in any other way but I did not have the gaskets on them. I can put the passenger side on all day but I am have a hell of a time doing the drivers side. Is it ok to cut the remflex with aviation snips between the ports because that would add at least a modicum of ease.

are A bodies that much different than 1st or 2nd gen f bodies as far as installing headers? i have never heard of anyone with a fbody laying the headers in the bay first & if they did they made it a lot harder than it needs to be... instructions that come with most headers all say to do it from underneath with the car raised at least 18" or more & the engine installed. lifting the engine slightly does help but for the many times ive installed headers its always easiest doing it from underneath with a helper up top to help guide them in.

also never had a problem with the graphite coated steel core gaskets or even the cheap fiber gaskets supplied with some brands, i have the stock hedman fiber gaskets on one car for over 10 years now, no leaks or any other issues. some bolts are easier to get at from the bottom with a long extension & some up top with a open end wrench. small head locking bolts are a big help too, i use the stainless summit brand bolts that have serrations under the heads to help lock them in. retorque after a few heat cycles then check/snug each season & most headers/gaskets should live a long leak free life.

[Skip Fix]

are A bodies that much different than 1st or 2nd gen f bodies as far as installing headers? i have never heard of anyone with a fbody laying the headers in the bay first & if they did they made it a lot harder than it needs to be

I do it all the time on my TA and Camaro Pontiac motors. I really hate pulling off the oil filter adapter and putting it back on. Driver's side pulling the starter not as big a deal to slide them in but it needs to be up there in the air.

[64speed]

Yes as the instructions state and experience dictates, the only way to get them is is with oil filter adapter off, starter off and in the engine bay before the motor goes in at least partially. If you have an aftermarket bellhousing like me that has both side starter bulges then you can forget it. They HAVE to be laid in the engine bay before the motor is set down.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

are A bodies that much different than 1st or 2nd gen f bodies as far as installing headers? i have never heard of anyone with a fbody laying the headers in the bay first & if they did they made it a lot harder than it needs to be

I do it all the time on my TA and Camaro Pontiac motors. I really hate pulling off the oil filter adapter and putting it back on. Driver's side pulling the starter not as big a deal to slide them in but it needs to be up there in the air.

OK, just curious. ive never really heard of guys doing it that way on 2nd gens & ive never done it like that on numerous header installs. i considered doing it like that & mocked it up once... once, but looked way more difficult than just doing it from underneath like the instructions say with the car raised up. removing the filter housing or starter is not a big deal at all, especially on a fresh built engine. & for A/C cars it seems like it would be a nightmare.

i dont doubt it can work that way & aftermarket bellhousings would be a different story.

[Skip Fix]

I only do it on an engine installation.

[dragracerx2813]

I just had to change mine. I have a couple wrenched I have cut and modified to make it easier. I went with dead soft aluminum one. Hope don’t have to do it again until I put the new engine in.

[flat-bill]

Originally Posted by 64speed

Any tips for getting the header gaskets for Dougs headers in an a body would be greatly appreciated. I am afraid I’m gonna have to pull the steering shaft

Are you asking about installing the headers or the header gaskets?

[tom s]

I just had to change the drivers side on my 63 421 Lemans!NOT fun!Tom

[taktikian]

Good luck on that install. I hope you have an automatic transmission. Dougs round ports for 1970 A- body had absolutely no provisions for manual trans cars in