Installing shorty headers
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Rookie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 64
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From: Dallas, Texas
Installing shorty headers
I want to upgrade to Gibson shorty headers (PN GP301S), but wanted to get some expert advice before I commit to purchasing. I wasn't able to find all of this info searching the 2nd gen section.
I really want to do the install myself. Can this be done without a lift?
Are there any majot caveats to installing them? I see that leaks are a common issue.
I read horror stories here about headers rusting out in under a year. Do the stainless headers have a long lifespan?
I really want to do the install myself. Can this be done without a lift?
Are there any majot caveats to installing them? I see that leaks are a common issue.
I read horror stories here about headers rusting out in under a year. Do the stainless headers have a long lifespan?
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 358
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From: Schertz, TX
RE: Installing shorty headers
nihlcat, I've heard the Gibson stainless are some of the best you can get. Expensive, but will last. If you can afford the stainless with the coating even better. I have a set of cheap Summit headers but haven't put them on yet. I haven't decided if I just want to go ahead and get the Gibson stainless and do the job one time or if I want to put the Summits on and see if a noticable difference before I spend the money on Gibsons. I've also heard that using a copper gaskets is the best way to go, but since I haven't put mine on yet someone else here may have a better information.
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 309
RE: Installing shorty headers
yeah the gibsons rock and are a piece of cake to install... the toughest part is yanking out the old studs out of the head. soak them real good with pb blaster or liquid wrench, put 2 nuts on it, tighten them together and wrench off the inner nut. the stud will come right out.
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,759
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From: in the woods NY
RE: Installing shorty headers
the other pain is the last bolt on the passenger side and the last 2 bolts on the drivers side.
all of them need to be tightened from under the vehicle and they are a pain.
or at least they were for me. But all in all it was pretty easy.
Just make sure you get quality gaskets, like Mr. Gasket
all of them need to be tightened from under the vehicle and they are a pain.
or at least they were for me. But all in all it was pretty easy.
Just make sure you get quality gaskets, like Mr. Gasket
Professional
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 85
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From:
RE: Installing shorty headers
I found them easy to install. I cut the flanges between the two center pipes and each of the outter pipes to allow the mounting flange to flex and reduce warpage. It works quite will. I bought a set of mechanical locking header bolts and copper HP gaskets on e-Bay for a song. Just do s search under exhaust parts, Dodge 360. My headers we run for a year. Removed. glass beaded, cermachromed I high-temp powder coated flat white. I have yet to run them in and I'll let you know how yey work out. I think they will be fun to keep white.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/41527/DBE441D6E9224E279E17DA2B87FEFC90.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/41527/DBE441D6E9224E279E17DA2B87FEFC90.jpg[/IMG]
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,759
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From: in the woods NY
RE: Installing shorty headers
of course its super easy if you have the motor out of the truck.
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Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
Likes: 8
From: Central Oklahoma
RE: Installing shorty headers
ORIGINAL: Brad426
I found them easy to install. I cut the flanges between the two center pipes and each of the outter pipes to allow the mounting flange to flex and reduce warpage. It works quite will. I bought a set of mechanical locking header bolts and copper HP gaskets on e-Bay for a song. Just do s search under exhaust parts, Dodge 360. My headers we run for a year. Removed. glass beaded, cermachromed I high-temp powder coated flat white. I have yet to run them in and I'll let you know how yey work out. I think they will be fun to keep white.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/41527/DBE441D6E9224E279E17DA2B87FEFC90.jpg[/IMG]
I found them easy to install. I cut the flanges between the two center pipes and each of the outter pipes to allow the mounting flange to flex and reduce warpage. It works quite will. I bought a set of mechanical locking header bolts and copper HP gaskets on e-Bay for a song. Just do s search under exhaust parts, Dodge 360. My headers we run for a year. Removed. glass beaded, cermachromed I high-temp powder coated flat white. I have yet to run them in and I'll let you know how yey work out. I think they will be fun to keep white.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/41527/DBE441D6E9224E279E17DA2B87FEFC90.jpg[/IMG]
All Star
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: MA
RE: Installing shorty headers
i had a bitch of a time getting the stock manifold off. i gave up after a while and took it to lous custom exhaust. let them deal with it. i got ceramic shorties and they started to just in 2 years. especially on the flanges.