frs81-4speed
01-15-2006, 05:38 AM
Just thought I'd share my experience of installing of these headers. I have a 1981 with a 305 and a factory 4 speed. I anticipated having a hard time with headers.
I first installed the drivers side figuring that one would have the most potential to be a struggle. It fit in no problem. All I had to do was remove the oil filter, clutch Z-bar, pushrod, oil pressure sender and it went right in. Put all those pieces back on except the pressure sender as it now wont fit. I will install a tee fitting where the idiot light sensor is and put it there. Very happy with the job so far!
On to the passenger side. I removed the starter and put it into place. Didn't seem to fit too bad. I had to put the starter in before I bolted the header to the head. After bolting the header up It made the header hit the lower control arm mounting pocket. So I figured this is where the minor dinging should happen (voiding my warrantee of course). So out comes the ball peen hammer. I dented it slightly and it didn't help. It was still hitting, pretty hard too. I noticed it was also rubbing against the front crossmember in the area where all four tubes drop down together. Hmm. Figured I'd e-mail the tech dept. at Hedman. I wanted to see if there was something I was missing. It seemed to me the header would just need to be tweaked a little, basically just bending it in toward the engine and all would be fine. Hedman promptly let me know I voided the warrantee of course by modifying the header. Then he asked me if I cut out the front tube to assist the installation, saying that this tube is removable! HUH!! I did look at it though to see if it was removable nope.......it is welded in just like the rest. Wonder if I did cut it out, would it have voided the warrantee!!?? Well, what I did was heat all four tubes at the first bend by the engine with my oxy/acetalyne torch until they were red and had a buddy under the car prying the header closer to engine. We moved it like 1" without causing any kinking or other damage. It now fits like a glove and I wouldn't have had to ding it either if I had just done that in the first place. I'm glad I didn't buy the coated headers!! Now I will remove them when I do the engine upgrade and have them blasted and I will paint them myself.
Now I have a nice sounding and fitting exhaust. I bought the crossmember from G-Force and the Torque Tech pipes installed with a set of Flowmasters. I don't care if it resonates a little at 2000 rpm's, this isn't my daily driver.
Sorry for the long winded story but hope it helps someone else.
Fran.
I first installed the drivers side figuring that one would have the most potential to be a struggle. It fit in no problem. All I had to do was remove the oil filter, clutch Z-bar, pushrod, oil pressure sender and it went right in. Put all those pieces back on except the pressure sender as it now wont fit. I will install a tee fitting where the idiot light sensor is and put it there. Very happy with the job so far!
On to the passenger side. I removed the starter and put it into place. Didn't seem to fit too bad. I had to put the starter in before I bolted the header to the head. After bolting the header up It made the header hit the lower control arm mounting pocket. So I figured this is where the minor dinging should happen (voiding my warrantee of course). So out comes the ball peen hammer. I dented it slightly and it didn't help. It was still hitting, pretty hard too. I noticed it was also rubbing against the front crossmember in the area where all four tubes drop down together. Hmm. Figured I'd e-mail the tech dept. at Hedman. I wanted to see if there was something I was missing. It seemed to me the header would just need to be tweaked a little, basically just bending it in toward the engine and all would be fine. Hedman promptly let me know I voided the warrantee of course by modifying the header. Then he asked me if I cut out the front tube to assist the installation, saying that this tube is removable! HUH!! I did look at it though to see if it was removable nope.......it is welded in just like the rest. Wonder if I did cut it out, would it have voided the warrantee!!?? Well, what I did was heat all four tubes at the first bend by the engine with my oxy/acetalyne torch until they were red and had a buddy under the car prying the header closer to engine. We moved it like 1" without causing any kinking or other damage. It now fits like a glove and I wouldn't have had to ding it either if I had just done that in the first place. I'm glad I didn't buy the coated headers!! Now I will remove them when I do the engine upgrade and have them blasted and I will paint them myself.
Now I have a nice sounding and fitting exhaust. I bought the crossmember from G-Force and the Torque Tech pipes installed with a set of Flowmasters. I don't care if it resonates a little at 2000 rpm's, this isn't my daily driver.
Sorry for the long winded story but hope it helps someone else.
Fran.