Header install, need help... am I missing some special tool? or am I !@*#& STOOPID?

[dmontgom]

Okay, I've never really worked on cars until I got my GS. That's fine. I've read so much on here about installing headers. It sounds like the hard part is removing all the stock crap. I've found out the hard way that I can't get all the bolts out!!! I got all the top bolts out. I got 1 out of the bottom 4 bolts out, and now I CANNOT get the last 3 out, mainly because of the awkard locations.

I'm using craftsman tools, after having broken a couple cheapo tools, I ran down to Sears. I've got all kinds of wrenches, my stock exhaust manifold is SOAKED in RustEater... well, not all of it. I'm not exactly a weakling either, so that's not the problem.

I NEED ADVICE!!!

Or if there's anyone in the North Attleboro area that can swing by my place tomorrow, that would be even better!!!!

I'm so mad I wanna...

Any help would be awesome... Thanks in advance!

 

[slodsm]

Bro I am nowhere new you, but I can tell you I have workled on quite a few local NT's here and I have put 3 headers on, it is a bi*** but it can be done, I have used nothing fancy and my rollaway is full of nothing but craftsman so you and I probably have the same wrenches. You should be able to get them out. Have you pulled the stock pipe off the bottom yet? With that out of the way, it gets a little easier. Other than that, you just need a 10 mm and 12 mm wrench and some patience. It will come out.

 

[dmontgom]

ahhh... patience... that was the key thing I was forgetting. as usual

seriously though, thanks for the advice. I'm getting up in the morning and removing that pipe off the bottom.

thanks again...

 

[Knoob]

ummm invest in some air tools and a generator..... is all i can say..

 

[dmontgom]

Originally posted by Knoob
ummm invest in some air tools and a generator..... is all i can say..

I'd love to now lets just convince my wife, when there are other bills to pay...

I'm glad I was able to at least buy the header...

 

[atblacktalon92]

try heating it up and tap the bolts lightly with a hammer to loosen the rust it might help...good luck.

 

[dmontgom]

A buddy of mine that I work with just mentioned that... but I don't have access to a torch of any type... not without paying out the a$$ for a rental...

any ideas as to what I could use to heat the bolts up? (other than torches of course)

Thanks again to everyone who has given me advice!

 

[atblacktalon92]

start ur engine to heat up those bolts .

 

[dmontgom]

tried that... drove up to the gas station to put some air in my left front tire, came back... still no luck...

I've given up for the weekend... the header doesn't have to go on immediately, so I'm just gonna postpone the install for a little while...

 

[dmontgom]

Good news for me, a friend of ours from NH called us tonight. While he was talking to my wife it hit me, he works for an oil company and has all kinds of tools. He has a torch I can use to heat the bolts and remove the friggin things.

Long story short, when I get back from visiting my family in Indiana, I'm driving up to NH to put the header on up there. WOO HOO!!!

I'm still not 100% sure on how to do it though. Do I just aim the torch at the rusty bolt, let it get red hot, tap it with a hammer, then remove it? Or is there more to it than that? It seems like that's just too easy.

Well, I've got a couple weeks to figure all this out.

Later!

 

[dmontgom]

I brought this thread back from the dead.

I now have only 2 bolts remaining. I used a torch and was able to remove 1 of the three remaining bolts. I was unsuccessful with the last two. I took my car to my local Midas, I have dealt with those guys quite a bit over the last 4 years, so I felt they'd help me out in a pinch. They had no luck and recommended that I take my car to a place that specializes in high performance auto work... does ANYBODY know of any type of place in S.E. Mass that I can take my car, just to remove 2 bolts?

 

[EclipseOwner95]

putting headers on was easy...i didnt know much about dsms when i did it, it was one of my frist mods, it took about 30-60 minutes, + grinding ( stupid pacesetter dosnt fit correctly , pushed up against thermostat, my car sounded like a v8 cuz of hte exhaust leak )

 

[guedo512]

i let minakee install my header. their was no way i was taking the risk of snapping one of those studs.

 

[Venom55]

I've snapped a stud on my car when I installed my pacesetter and did not repleace it cuz it was impossible and let it with a missing stud.Does it matters if their is a stud missing......cuz i've been driving a while like that and havent had any problem

 

[dmontgom]

huh, that's odd... you would think that if Meineke would do a header install, then Midas would too... they're practically the same, based on previous experience. How much did Meineke charge for the install? I want to do the rest of the work myself, because it can't be that tough. I just can't get those 2 bolts off.

 

[Defiant]

Good god, two month later? You must have awfully cheap time in that life. Hire a shop to do it.

 

[dmontgom]

Originally posted by Defiant
Good god, two month later? You must have awfully cheap time in that life. Hire a shop to do it.

I have been really busy the last two months, but I REALLY want to do this myself. In the last two months I've only had about 3 days to devote to this project (which shouldn't even really be a big project). I HATE paying money for things I can do myself, but I'm starting to realize that these two bolts are keeping me from doing it myself. I was able to replace the downpipe on my friends Saturn, but yet I can't do this?!?!?!

 

[powells85]

What exactly is the reason that you can not get the last two bolts out? Are they unreachable or stuck? If stuck why not try using a bigger ratchet or and extension bar to gain leverage.

 

[dmontgom]

Originally posted by powells85
What exactly is the reason that you can not get the last two bolts out? Are they unreachable or stuck? If stuck why not try using a bigger ratchet or and extension bar to gain leverage.

they're stuck. one is the bottom left bolt that's hard to reach, but in both cases it is tough to get leverage. I could try an extension bar, that's a good idea... can you tell I'm still a bit of a newbie... good excuse to head to sears though... don't tell my wife

if that fails, it's off to the shop

 

[TalonRacer18]

Go get a breaker bar and pump some iron then come back, they should come off after that.

 

[dmontgom]

Originally posted by TalonRacer18
Go get a breaker bar and pump some iron then come back, they should come off after that.

you callin' me weak

j/k... I do think the breaker bar is a good idea... but I already pump iron (I'm not huge by any means though)

 

[Defiant]

At least it isn't your determination that's weak. Don't panic if the stud breaks, it's not uncommon.

 

[MitzEclipse]

dam man... sux to hear this i took my headers off in 10 min.. hardest part was takin out the header exhaust pipe with the 19mm and 17 ... those 2 bolts were a bi*** cuz the starter was in the way and these bolts were rusted as hell and what about where it connects to the cat ... i had to use a hammer bang hard as hell and then use the adjustment wrench to take it out.....

and wd40 does not work

...

 

[DSMX921]

Go to Wal-mart and get a can of PBlaster---unfreezes many a bolt (but very flammable)--CAREFUL with a breaker bar, thats how bolts get snapped. Good Luck, if that doesn't work out find someone with air tools, and if u plan on doing more work yourself, invest in a set, i love mine..

 

[dmontgom]

Is PBlaster similar to Rust Eater? Cuz I've tried that. If it's better I'll give it a shot...

I'm getting sooo anxious to get this done, I've got other projects that I already have the parts for, but this on needs to be done soon cuz I want to replace that rusted flex pipe...