I would like to do this but not sure exactly how to do it, as I've never actually seen it. I have both the heads and headers off the car....do I simply align the headers where I want and drill them both together? What do I use for pins? How deep do I go into the head, is it a critical area? Any special place on the header that's better for this? Any trick on clamping them while "pinning" or other tips appreciated. Would I use a gasket to line things up?
Thanks for any help.
Joe Doino
jdoino@conaxbuffalo.com
Hey Joe, how are ya. I did mine last year when they were off. I matched the ports first, positioned the headers where they matched then put in a few bolts to hold them while I drilled the pin holes. There is not much room on the stock header flange so be careful and don't go to deep.
I used drill rod for the pins because the size I used was only about .187" (not very large). I drilled 1 hole in the front flange and 1 hole in the rear flange while the header was bolted in place, again there is not much room for this that is why the small pins.
Hope this helped and I will see you at the next meeting.
paul cummings, olean.
Your header ports should be larger than the head ports to allow for flange exp and cont. The header openings should have a 1/8"X45* chamfer all around. Use low torque bolts like on the LS1/LS6 headers. You can use Fel-pro copper grease under the bolt heads to allow for manifold expansion. Weld up your end holes and make them horizontal slots just slightly larger than the bolts. One of the center holes should be a close fit vertical slot for alignment. Your goal is to hold the manifold in perfect alignment through all temperature ranges. This is a major PITA but now you will have a well engineered, leak free system with good alignment and no cracking. Pinning you headers stresses everything. Only pin the intake.
E-mail me direct if you need clarification.
spiderwebb@wctel.net
I never thought that the head and header may expand at different rates, or different amounts. Something to think about...Paul and Donald, thanks for your excellent information. Donald, I'll email you off line for more info. Paul, I'll speak with you at the meeting.
Any other opinions?
Thanks, Joe