Header install question?

[Ultrakla$$ic]

I'm so close to pulling the trigger on a set of headers but have a question. I install my own stuff and have put headers on multiple times before on s197's HOWEVER, the passenger side TOP exhaust manifold bolts on the s550 look almost impossible to get to from the top of the engine bay.

Anybody put these on themselves wanna share the nightmare of doing so??? I'm not intimidated by the task, just wanna make sure those top bolts can be accessed without destroying the engine bay. LOL

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[dubster99]

I haven't done it yet, but I'm going to. Drivers side looks easy...everything is right there. CJ pony parts has a good video on the install. Remove the steering input shaft, starter, and motor mounts on both sides. Do yourself a favor and get pivoting ratcheting wrenches to make the job easier. Everyone says it's a pain and the worst install ever, 6-10 hours. To me, it looks like bolting and unbolting stuff. Maybe time consuming, but not hard....but I haven't done it yet.

 

[Youngmustang]

Well i am a little intimidated in installing mine. I do plan on doing the install myself. IM sure others who have installed them can weigh in but heres a video of cjponyparts installing headers on a s550
[ame]

 

[Ultrakla$$ic]

I haven't done it yet, but I'm going to. Drivers side looks easy...everything is right there. CJ pony parts has a good video on the install. Remove the steering input shaft, starter, and motor mounts on both sides. Do yourself a favor and get pivoting ratcheting wrenches to make the job easier. Everyone says it's a pain and the worst install ever, 6-10 hours. To me, it looks like bolting and unbolting stuff. Maybe time consuming, but not hard....but I haven't done it yet.

Thanks! yea, the drivers side is always the easiest on the Mustangs, it's the passenger side, especially the top bolts. On the s197, once you removed the battery, it made access to those bolts a little easier but on the s550, removing the battery doesn't look like it would help at all. LOL

 

[Ultrakla$$ic]

Don't look like much room for getting to the top manifold bolts!!:eyebulge:

 

[Khyber]

because the install seems to be such a bitch, those mak cat delete pipes have peaked my interest.

 

[Ultrakla$$ic]

because the install seems to be such a bitch, those mak cat delete pipes have peaked my interest.

Hahahahaha!!! For real but I ain't all about welding stuff in place. Why Ford made the catalytic converters part of the exhaust manifold sucks!!

I think I got this header install figured out. Looks like the battery box comes apart and allows more space to get to the top manifold bolts. Now to just convince these old bones to do ANOTHER header install on these cars. Uggggggghhhh

 

[Ultrakla$$ic]

See those bolts? All that has to come out. LOL

 

[foghat]

I have seen multiple posts from diy'ers who said 'never again'. This post made me chuckle.

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showpost.php?p=702120&postcount=12

 

[Khyber]

Hahahahaha!!! For real but I ain't all about welding stuff in place. Why Ford made the catalytic converters part of the exhaust manifold sucks!!

I think I got this header install figured out. Looks like the battery box comes apart and allows more space to get to the top manifold bolts. Now to just convince these old bones to do ANOTHER header install on these cars. Uggggggghhhh

true. cool thing about the mak pipes those is passenger side just bolts right up but you can weld the flange on for the driver side so if you ever wanted to put the stock cats back on you can.

Although if I got headers I would probably just drive up to hypermotive lol. I'm all down for doing things myself but this one laying on my back? nahhhh plus I'm sure I'd have to buy more tools too....

 

[Ultrakla$$ic]

Oh I swore on the LAST install it'd be my "last". The 05-09's were bad. The 11-14's were WORSE.......if the pattern continues to follow, well, I'm in for some tool throwing!!! Lol.

The ground strap on the passenger side motor mount and the exhaust manifold bolt right by the A/C line were a bear to get too. Don't look like Ford did anything to make this easier either. LOL@ the five bucks and get out of here!!!

 

[MoneyPit#53]

Don't look like much room for getting to the top manifold bolts!!:eyebulge:

I see some dust in there Darren. Someone's garage queen skills are slacking!!! :lol:

-Nick

 

[RubyRedBoost]

We did mine. SW 1 7/8ths catted, took 9 hours on jackstands. Its a pain in the ass. If you have big mits you will hurt em. I had to crush my hands to get it done. Drivers side is a breeze. Took 45mins tops.

 

[Reds197]

You can reach most of the top bolts from underneath. The install is easier than the 11-14.

MY best advice is stick a rag in between the primary tubes. I actually dropped a bolt that slid all the way down to the collector between the tubes. It had to be slid all the way up to come out. I eventually took the header off and had to dump the bolt out.

 

[RubyRedBoost]

You can reach most of the top bolts from underneath. The install is easier than the 11-14.

MY best advice is stick a rag in between the primary tubes. I actually dropped a bolt that slid all the way down to the collector between the tubes. It had to be slid all the way up to come out. I eventually took the header off and had to dump the bolt out.

Yep same thing happened to me. We had to remove the header to retrieve the bolt. It got stuck instantly.

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