Header Installation Question

MattLopez15 · 10-06-2009

i bought my current mustang with an exhaust leak (stupidly) but any how, im hoping with my next or second to next pay check to get some BBK shorty headers. but my question is how hard are they to actually install at home? and a friend at work said something about the metal the screws are made out of and the metal the engine block is made out of some how causes them to "weld" them selves together over time, making it impossible for the home mechanic to take the stock exhaust manifolds off the block? any one ever encountered this problem? thanks in advance

StalkerStang · 10-06-2009

Not sure what your buddy is talking about, sounds like he's a little confused.

I put on BBK ceramics in my driveway. They are not impossible to put on. BBK includes bolts, but I didn't use them, I re-used the factory studs and nuts as well as the factory gaskets.

I think the worst part is getting the passenger side in, its a tight fit.

MattLopez15 · 10-06-2009

just out of curiosity, why didnt you use the new bolts and gaskets? and i think this weekend me and my dad are gonna crack the bolts on the driver side just to see if it can be done. and maybe just a wee bit off topic, i also want a new muffler, am i correctly assuming that i need a welding machine to attach the new one? becuase currently theres no bolts there

StalkerStang · 10-06-2009

You can use clamps to bolt the mufflers on. Most muffler shops and muffler manufacturers sell them.

I didn't use the bolts because it has studs already. Studs make it way easier to install things (most the time), plus they don't twist as much as bolts when tightening so they stay tight more then bolts do.

Well the BBK's come with a crappy paper thin gasket, the factory Ford ones are a multi-layer gasket that have a metal facing and backing. Way better then the BBK crap if you ask me.

Silver J · 10-07-2009

Jesse -- did you notice any change in hp with the new headers? Or was it more of a cosmetic upgrade or leak fix? Just curious, since I've heard they don't do a lot...

To the OP: heat can cause hardware to bind sometimes... but if anti-seize was used they shouldn't stick. If they are hard to get off, you can soak them in WD-40 (or equivalent lubricant). Jesse, did you have to use any special techniques to get the nuts loose?

Oh yeah, +1 on everything else he said.

StalkerStang · 10-07-2009

I replaced my headers because the pass. side one cracked; the whole donot/ball socket part fell off..... Not major diff. in power, but they sure look nice.

Mine came off with no issues, didn't need anything special. Could probably spray the nuts with WD or PB blaster, but they should come off without any issues.

Silver J · 10-08-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by StalkerStang

I replaced my headers because the pass. side one cracked; the whole donot/ball socket part fell off..... Not major diff. in power, but they sure look nice.

Mine came off with no issues, didn't need anything special. Could probably spray the nuts with WD or PB blaster, but they should come off without any issues.

OK thanks - you reaffirmed what I thought.

I'll be holding off on them for a little while, until I have the $$ to start worrying about looks!

Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get a leak...

MattLopez15 · 10-08-2009

im gonna try to crack the bolts eather tomorrow or saturday and ill let you guys know how it goes. thanks for the help so far tho

dieselmonkey · 10-09-2009

i did it just fine it just took for ever becuase of the tight spaces thats alll... deleting your egr helps a ton... and if you have an air socket wrench thing it helps a ton as well after you crack them lose because you wont have to be wrenching just sqeezing the handle and bam nuts off