OMG.......i have everything off and i cant get the driver side header in place. The steering linkage is in the way, I have the car jacked up hella high, but i still cant manage to get it in there. Someone help please.

Also please give advise for when i start on the passenger side.


****!!!!

Also the metal EGR tube the spans from the left manifold to the right manifold i cant get off, anyone suggest how to do this???? I have already found and removed two bolts holding it on, but the left side doesnt seem to want to move.

 

Remove the two bolts on each end of the steering shaft and it will come off.
This is easy to do and can be done in less than 3 minutes and makes left side header a lot easier to do.

Get a EGR deletion kit that has the 3 block off plates. Dont hook the EGR back up cause its a PITA and it can promote the infamous LT1 intake oil leak. A custom tune may be need to avoid the SES light.

The right side header is by far the hardest. Remove the one bolt and pull out the dipstick tube. Also remove the fanbelt and remove the three screws securing the altonator, this will give more access to the header bolts. Just expect the right side to take longer.

You may be confusing the EGR tube. The EGR tube is the flexible tube from the back of the intake to the right side manifold. The AIR tube runs between the two manifolds. The easiest way to get this thing off is the sawzall.

 

yeah i already have the belt off and the alternator off. I wasnt planning on putting the egr stuff back in. My pacesetters are the race version (i have the egr blockoff plates to go in place of the stuff) i have all the wires and plugs out of the passenger side and 3 header bolts off. I have 2 bolts (the front bolt and the rear bolt are giving me a headache.)

 

also, what 2 bolts???? i dont see them. I have my haynes manual but for the life of me i cant see what they are describing, maybe i am looking at the wrong spot. i dunno, pics would help

THANKS GUYS!!!

 

I assume you are feferring to the steering shaft bolts.
I guarentee they are there, if you turn the wheels so the are pointing straight and the steering wheel is centered they should be visible from the top.

 

nevermind i found the 2 bolts

 

There is one bolt right on the knuckle of the steering shaft that you can take out which will allow you to move the knuckle out of the way. There should be two bolts on the back of the intake that hold the EGR motor on and just one that holds the metal tube to the y-pipe. If you are gettin rid of it just saw it off and you will be all set.

What you need is a couple beers, some buddies to heckle you while you do it and a poster of a hot chick to look at to keep your mind off the pain of tryin to become a master of magic getting your hand/arm and wrench back in far enough to take off the back manifold bolts.

Once you get them off the hard part it done. Aftermarket headers are a lot easier to get to the bolts than the factory manifolds IMO..at least every set I have worked on..

 

ok, now there is a small sensor in the way. I tried to unplug it but coolant just started spilling out.


What do i do?? do i have to take that sensor out?

 

ok i just drained the coolant.............i hope everything goes smooth from here

 

You are talking about the coolant temp sensor. It is fragile and will break off very easily and cost $12.00 to replace.
Just be careful around it and dont drain the coolant unless required.

 

well, i already drained it. I guess thats good, because i was putting in a 160 degree thermostat too, so now i wont have to worry about leaking coolant on the opti when i put the thermo in there.

 

I guess thats smart. Cant take any chances with an opti.
Go ahead and take out the sensor before you break it off since the coolant has been drained.

 

yeah i took it off way before i attempted to put it in again.