I'm going to start my mac header install tommorrow. I won't be able to start till about 5pm since i have school but i'm hoping i can drop the y-pipe,starter, and altenator and maybe even get a few of the manifold bolts loose. I'm actaully pretty nervous about doing this because my dad keeps saying they are going to leak. So if you have any tips then please shoot them my way.

Should i put rtv gasket maker between the gasket and header flange's? Also with mac's do i have to remove all the plug/wires? or just a few of them?
Also i know the y-pipe bolt's are most likely very rusty i'm just curious how i'll get those out since the head of the bolt or the nuts will just strip out, i don't really want to hack up my y-pipe.

I'm hoping to be done by Sat night
ohh ya i'm about to go outside and spray all the bolts that have to come off with some pb blaster.

 

Headers usually leak at first. Just make sure you torque them to spec, run the car and get em hot, let them cool, re-torque, heat em up again, let em cool, re-torque... so on and so on untill it stops leaking. You might not even have to do it at all.

 

If you can get a torque wrench in there you aren't working on a 4th gen fbody. The exhaust manifold studs usually break off so the y-pipe comes out pretty easy. I think 5 out of my 6 broke. You will probably have to run OTVC spark plug wires with those headers so the wires have to come off. I would suggest putting RTV on the gaskets. It'll help seal them up.

 

I'm putting the finishing touches on my pacesetter lts tonight, after all I've encountered soak the hell out of all the old bolts with pb blaster, it really helps just give it time to soak, also offset end wrenches were a tremendous help to me, oh yeah lots of band aids and beer really help to

 

Get some Percy's aluminum gaskets and they'll never leak, seriously. I checked my header bolts the first time a week after putting my headers on, and I had 2 bolts on each side that were finger loose with the others needing tightened, but I never had a leak.

Jason

 

I use Mr Gasket Copperseals and never had a leak.
Thats a very good idea to soak those bolts with the blaster and let em sit overnite, they will be much easier to remove.
Just be patient and don,t let the header beat you, if you get frustrated just walk away for a little bit and calm down and then try and go at it from a different angle.
Its a great mod.
Good Luck.

 

give your car a name so you have a definite word to curse at. thats what i have started doing, and its working great

 

I second that!!

I just installed AS&M headers on my '96, and the mac Y pipe and edelbrock shorties were all sorts of rusted together. I had the headers off not too long ago to replace gaskets, and it wasn't that bad, figured i wouldn't need the penetrant.. WRONG!!

Snapped 2 of the 4 bolts right off, but it eventually came out. I would also suggest soaking the steering linkage bolts as well, they were a PITA on mine to take off. It will help it slide off the shaft easier as well.

The header bolts came out no problem, you shouldn't encounter any problems if they were installed correctly. A good set of wrenches and a snap on socket for a tight fit is a must. You don't want to round anything off, especially in those spaces.

Other than taking your time and being patient, the obvious thing is to make sure you make good use of your firesleeves and keep all wires away from the headers. One of my buddies who helped me out set the o2 sensor connector right on it.. so now it's a molten mass of garbled plastic and some metal...