Engine having problems installing headers

having problems installing headers

ok its not as simple as some of the DIY's have shown. im having troubles in two areas. first its nearly impossible to untighten the bolts and the flange, where the header conects to the mid-pipe and i cant seem to get the bolts off the header that conects it to the back of the engine...any help? i dont want to break anything, and im afraid to use wd-40

Yea I don't think it would be wise to use grease, as it could cause smoke until the grease burns off. The bolts will be rusted on, and I guess you can try using extensions. Those should help, better yet air tools if you have acess to them. Becareful with air tools as you don't want to break or strip anything! From what I have heard, it does require a lot of elbow grease... BTW what header you installing?

Just use the damn WD40 / liquid wrench or any penetrating oil and a 6 point socket.

As for the midpipe, you have to get under the car and use a whole symphony of swivels to get around that damn catalic converter.

For the engine exhaust flange - work from each of the outsides towards the center as to not warp the flange, do not fully remove every nut until every one has been broken (install opposite of removal).

And dont forget to transfer the midpipe gasket, also those spring bolts are a bitch.

at the local muffler shop- they just burned off my bolts on my cat converter

i have used an airgun to try and remove the flange bolts, set at 100 ft/lbs of torque, did nothing. i tried taking it to a shop, no one will do it cause of liability issues.

btw its the el proto header

also i dont want to use wd40 cause its flamable, i dont want to risk anything, even tho i know its probably not that harmful

bump...help me

be a man and spray that wd-40, i dont know how many cans i have used on the SI when i had it

Yeah, use penetrating oil for sure. I got the harder passenger side flange bolt after jacking that side and removing wheel, by using 2 box/open end wrenches for good leverage... Head bolts were easy with a ratchet, short extension and 6 point socket. There is also a supportive bolt underneath stock exhaust manifold. My JP header also has a welded tab to bolt up to that support...Some aftermarket headers don't.

wd-40 is your friend