i'm stuck. i was doing some work on my car this week and last night i unbolted the headers to take them out for easier access to the plugs/wires. well the passenger side will not come out the top and i would just take the y-pipe off and drop them from under, but about a month ago i had the ory and pipe(replacing cat) all welded to the exhaust. now i dont know how i'm supposed to get the pass. side headers out. please help!!

-Chris

 

I'm not sure about you midlength's but my LT's will not come out the top. The only time i've been able to put them in through the top was when I was lowing the engine back in and was able to swing the engine before i mounted it to the motor mounts. I would say you will either have to cut the exhaust that you welded up or try to just do the wires and plugs with the headers in the car.

 

If I were you and didn't want to replace my headers at this time I'd definately bolt that sucker back into place and replace plugs/wires with headers in place, ya it's a PITA but it's pretty routine maintenance. I think your just creating more work for yourself by trying to take the headers out to change your plugs/wires, unless you got some longtubes at hand lol. If it's a must you could always use a sawzall and then weld it back together wherever you cut it lol, but that don't make any sense.

 

SLP sells a very good spark plug removal tool. It's basically a big nut that you place over the spark plug, and then use a ratcheting wrench (11/13 I think) to turn the nut. It's the easiest way I know. I can do all eight on my LT1 without any problems, even though I have shorties that make any other method almost impossible. Good luck.

 

btw if it's aftermarket headers then what's the big deal in changing plugs/wires? Just be thankful it's not the stock headers, even if it is it's still 100% do-able, I did this 3 weeks ago before I replaced my headers and after having the aftermarket headers in, it was a BREEZE!!

 

i finally got them all in and it was a lot easier having the headers unbolted from the collectors and the block. all i needed was room to put the socket wrench, space was tight for my hands. i dunno maybe i just complain too much haha. probably the best way i can think is using a 5/8" deep socket that has 6 flats on the end for a 19mm wrench, you can use anything that fits on it.

-Chris