I have Pacesetter long tubes that are ready to go in. I have the car jacked up 19 inches in the front (jackstands, just behind the wheels) and about 15 inches in the back (just in front of rear wheels). The driver side almost goes in, but the passenger side isn't even close. How much higher do I need to go? I read a couple threads where guys say 3 or 4 feet, but that's just ridiculous. Anybody actually measure the distance?
Is it really true you can get them in from the top if you take the valve covers off?

 

Do you have the steering linkage removed? I don't remember how high I had the car, but I had the jack at full travel in order to get the drivers side header in. As for the passenger side, I put in in through the top after removing the valve cover.

 

You may need to unbolt the passenger side motor mount, and jack the motor up a few inches to get the passenger side in... atleast I had to with my Hooker LTs. But I did install mine just on jack stands, definatly not 3-4 feet in the air.

 

I guess I was about 2ft to 2 and a half in the airOnce I got the car up there the only problems I had were those little heat shields screwed to the chassis. I didn't have to jack the motor or anything.

If you really can get them in from the top by removing the valve cover, I'd try that. I removed my coil packs for a little more knuckle room and had I known that I'd have just pulled the covers off and left it on the ground.

 

I put the passenger side in from the bottom, without lifting the motor. But I also used a sawzall and cut off a piece of the auto tranny bellhousing.

 

unbolt one motor mount at a time and lift the engine to give yourself some more clearance. I had to twist my passenger side header in. I believe I started it almost upside down and turned it around on it's way in.

 

4 more inches did it (also unbolted motor mount and jacked her up a little). Got 'em both in; not installed, just positioned. Thanks for all your replies!

 

I had mine pretty high... Loosened the trans crossmember too. The pic looks odd.. This was kind of old.. THe trans bottle jack is NOT holding the car up, I know that..