About to start header install just wanted some input and had a few questions...

[5ABI VT]

Ok spoke too soon some fighting on my back and I got the clamp bent out of shape enough to get the tube free.

I was able to wiggle the manifold and get the tube to slip out. I was going to suggest attempt removing that clamp while the manifolds are in place first to save the hassle of a hanging manifold being in the way.

Here's the little pita clamp.. Hopefully this helps anyone in the future.. There is a tube that comes out of the manifold that connects to the egr that I didn't know. I was trying to figure out what the clamp is actually holding in and only realized after I got it free.

Brutal manifolds

Lying on my back I wanted to post photos for you guys. There is LOTS of room now and all ports easily visible.. Clean up time !!!!

Passenger side


Drivers side


Time for cleanup. Tightening oil pan bolts and cleaning gasket surface on the heads and some carbon from inside the port. I'm half tempted to get my dremel out and enlarge the ports LOL .. Dot worry I won't.. A 4xx stroker will be in this cars future

[5ABI VT]

Finished cleaning up. Oil pan bolts were ALL loose . Cleaned and re tightened those. Used a file gage on its side and scraped the gasket surface nice and smooth.

Drivers side

Passenger side


Bent and pulled the egr tube out of the manifold area and pulled out the dremel and cutting wheel.

Cut the flared end off and got the plate off. Ill be getting the gasket material and cut it to the outer shape and putting the plate back on like that for now.. Assuming I can find a thick enough gasket that won't get sucked in.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by 5ABI VT

Passenger side

Cut the flared end off and got the plate off. Ill be getting the gasket material and cut it to the outer shape and putting the plate back on like that for now.. Assuming I can find a thick enough gasket that won't get sucked in.

It is pretty easy to get a 1/4 inch aluminum plate................................Or take your arc welder and fill in the big hole
and cut that out with a cutoff then drill and polish ..............................then grind smooth and polish on wire wheel
up the plate with wire wheel .................................................. ......... and paint with this Rustoleum.

[5ABI VT]

I will do that. For the time being I did this lol..

Its sealing the original gasket over the hole

[5ABI VT]

Is the egr tube bolted somewhere below on the passenger side? Can't wiggle it much

[Dynomite]

Damn.....Now I am going to re-do my L98.....but maybe use a nickel.....
That is extremely creative

Originally Posted by 5ABI VT

I will do that. For the time being I did this lol..

Its sealing the original gasket over the hole

[5ABI VT]

One side is done!! Tip for those buying the stainless licking bolts.. Buy 2 packs!!!! I can't believe I overlooked that they had 20 per pack. I used every header bolt in the drivers side and realized I didn't have enough for the passenger side grrrr!!!!! I pulled the bottom non - visible bolts for the stock bolts.. Then remembered I had the SW bolts so I used those where they aren't visible and kept 9 stainless ones for the top on the pass side.

If anyone was discouraged by the removal.. The install was a joke! So much room.. Place and hand tightened all the bolts .. Few from the top rest on my back. Very easy!!


On to the passenger side!!!! Thinking about cruising tonight already lol!!

[mike100]

It is almost comical how easily the headers go up and onto the heads compared with the struggle removing the oem manifolds.

[Jagdpanzer]

I'm interested in your take off EGR flex tubs if you don't need them anymore.

[5ABI VT]

Originally Posted by mike100

It is almost comical how easily the headers go up and onto the heads compared with the struggle removing the oem manifolds.

It definitely is comical. I put them up and was positioning myself to get ready to line them up and then I realized they were pretty much on place already ! Looking back now I could probably have done it in 1/4 of the time maybe less if I didn't have to clean everything in sight.

Originally Posted by Jagdpanzer

I'm interested in your take off EGR flex tubs if you don't need them anymore.

I unbolted a lot of stuff if they are still in useable condition I'd be happy to send them your way. I did wiggle and fight with the egr tubing not knowing they were all bolted down and the egr hardware was down low. I assumed the tube went from the plenum straight to the header and it doesn't. Ill post pics later but the lower egr tube bolts in a tight place but I got it out. I didn't realize but after unwrapping the passenger header I happily found that my egr is not there!!