Replacing Headers Advice

[HeavyBarrel1812]

I have a 84 K5, running 35' on a 6 inch lift. Anyway my headers and dual exhaust are rusting out and I want to replace them. How hard of a job is it to take off and install headers. In a nutshell it looks like just a matter of removing spark plug cables, unbolting the headers along with a few other minor things. I think Im gonna run some type of long tube headers and get new exhaust matched up once the headers are in. Any advice would be much appreciated before I tackle this task and get in over my head.

 

[86chevyk10]

Its pretty much just like you said. Be careful with old bolts, soak them with some penatrating lube for a while then gently break them loose. Anti seize new bolts. Buy some good headers with thick flanges to save you trouble in the long run.

 

[HeavyBarrel1812]

Thanks for the advice. i was worried I would have to lift the motor out or something a little more in depth to get the new headers to bolt on.

 

[DokWatson]

I let my manifold bolts soak for a couple days with PB, then ran the engine to operating temp and cracked all the bolts loose. The rest is pretty straightforward.

 

[Orange85]

If your not using stage 8 locking bolts, or split lock bolts your going to want to re tighten them after the engine is hot. Otherwise they will come loose and leak. I also prefer to use the 3 piece fel-pro exhaust manifold gaskets over header gaskets.