i got all the drivers side header bolts on except the last one on the drivers side and then the passenger side i cant get the 4+5 on its being a real b*tch
any suggestions or anything that would help?
i tried unbolting the whole exhaust and doing it and still had issues
any tips??????
please!
thanks

 

Sorry i can't help out with the header bolts. But i'm doing the single cat conversion also. I wanna get a cutout first though. Where do you have your cutout and did you have to relocate it when you did the single cat conversion. I wanna get a cutout installed but i don't want to have to relocate or get it reinstalled when i do the single cat conversion.

 

where the stock cat went
under the passenger side

 

I didnt really have a problem on the passenger side, but I have skinny hands and fingers, and on the last driver side bolt I couldnt get a regular wrench on it, so I used a crowsfoot and a minratchet that has a flex head on it, still kinda tricky but should help.

 

patience..and try some weird angles with your hand.

also, if you can, use a 1/8" ratchet to at least get it started or whatnot. I had a few problems getting a few in on the passenger side when I did my headers, I had to actually go out and buy a tap to correct the threads I messed up. You wanna talk pain? Try turning a tap on the last thread bolt with a pair of plyers and your wrist bent awkwardly...

 

try chopping a box-end wrench, and you can get a little clearance on the rr dr side bolt. On the pass side, use dexterity for the last two bolts, i had to get on top of the motor. Easy project. Good luck.

john

 

I have the Jet Hot Lt's, but I feel your pain. I used the Stage 8 bolts which are 7/16. I took a Craftsman 7/16" wrench and ground the ends down so that the sides are only a couple mm thick. This allowed me to do all the driver side bolts.
The rr passanger side bolt is the worst for me. Between the 7/16 wrench and a couple allen keys, I can only get about 15lbs torque on the bolt. I end out haveing to retighten the thing evey couple weeks (a real pain in the a$$.) A crows foot might help. I'm personally going to try that next.

Anyhow, be willing to grind a wrench or two on a bench grinder. That's the only way tp really get all the bolts tight. Even mechanics have butchered wrenches like these for headers

Schantin
1997 Camaro Z28
Virginina Tech 31 - Miami 7

 

if it helps, i used a universal on my socket to help with some of the angles.....

 

FYI ARP makes header bolts with a 5/16" wrench head which will make installation of the bolts that much more simpler and hassle free.

A 7/16" wrench head on a header bolt is simply too large and chances are the bolt head will bind up against the tubes on some of the cyl. 3/8" wrench head is slightly better but the 5/16" wrench head will work great. Nothing beats being able to put a 1/4" drive 5/16" socket fully on the fastener to tighten or loosen the bolt in question.

 

I had a similar problem when installing mine. I ended up removing some of the other header bolts and then starting the ones in the back. Don't tighten any bolts until they are all started.

Hope this helped.

Scott

 

ditto, good point