Post by: jeremy.farlow on June 18, 2020, 03:52:38 pm
My dad came over to help me stick the motor in the hole... it was the most satisfying aspect of 2020... for a couple hours:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/155922e2c3d9d244decd7714d55ebef8.jpg)
Crap... I didn’t get the headers in place.
I tried them from the top... no chance.
I tried them from the bottom... way better, but still no cigar.
I pulled the pin out of one motor mount and tried to lift one side for clearance. Still not going.
Dad came back this morning and we got the motor in the hole again... installing the headers after the engine cleared the x-member, but before it settled into the mounts.
Headers contacted... badly... at two spots.
I really didn’t want to cut the frame.
But I did:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/6c28969eac3cd4682a95fe25d521813a.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/886019adc4edb36fa46f05be4bb15f33.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/227bffb0cb20d91e6d915af251e50412.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/41b79fe9b51ae49e38216a606d35bcc3.jpg)
On the drivers side the cut wound up far enough through the top rail that it HAD to be plated in.
Bottom two pictures are final product, upper two are in progress.
I really didn’t want to bash up my headers... but I did:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/6cba2afaaa52019039a81df3905aa17d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/bff50e4686d5eae6be10f522dab44300.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/e8a5bfb3dd3dcc0bbe1e449a2047afec.jpg)
As I was doing the heating and beating I didn’t want to do on the headers I was reminded that the exhaust port location on the AFR heads is raised.
The headers are stainless, long-tube JBA units supposedly for a big block application in this chassis. I cannot say how much the raised exhaust ports play here, but I have trouble imagining these headers would’ve fit the stock heads.
Definitely not without an amount of swearing and some likely tool throwing.
I can’t send them back now
. Hopefully they’ll go in with enough room to install gaskets now.
Otherwise there will be another post from me asking for header recommendations.
3/4 ton with a big block.
Jeremy
Post by: jeremy.farlow on June 18, 2020, 03:55:55 pm
Post by: fitz on June 18, 2020, 05:44:02 pm
Back in the day I bought Blackjack alumacoated headers for my 69 camaro. They were the $89 specials from Summit, so I understand, you get what you pay for.
On my current 69 camaro I got Hooker super comp coated headers. I want to say I paid $600 for them (15 years ago), and they still dont fit great. If it wasn't for the Accell shorty spark plugs it would constantly be burning plug wires.
Post by: ehjorten on June 19, 2020, 10:15:10 pm
On a side note, I really wish I had a set of the ICE engine works header making kit!
Post by: JohnnyPopper on June 20, 2020, 07:03:10 pm
I feel your pain Jeremy, can't think of a pair that ever went in perfectly...
Post by: jeremy.farlow on June 20, 2020, 08:19:26 pm
Whelp... I didn’t want to do either, I guess I figured it was kinda like two wrong don’t make a right, but three lefts do?!?
Even if that big old motor swings back and forth I think the combo of relieving the frame and bashing the header tubes should compensate. Or at least leave room for my cool header-wrap:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/dfe1e1ec3ce6356353d9c1eff8379ef1.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/b85c37164fc6d066eb3a51b6d08adb37.jpg)
Also... why buy something when you can make it for 10x cost and 100x aggravation?!?
Today’s project...
Oil filler for one valve cover option:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/902f898e25a7a21b9c320855659bc390.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/825b2d1e0a9df179cdec5537ddf86f9f.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/f5298d60c2953d4f5439db27255114ce.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/19befde9d680a8fe60d85dea3c73d249.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/ab03b43495b240c8a81c4a2e26de2e2e.jpg)
This is just the lathe work, I’ll put it in the indexing head on the mill tomorrow and put some finger-grip-reliefs on it, like the one on the bottom.
All of this came about after I broke the factory valve cover:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/0c7f43da608f9f283bde83a78feda775.jpg)
There was a piece of mold leavin’ on the gasket in just the perfect spot. I think I can fix the factory covers and plan to try, but the $100 eBay specials were too good to pass up.
Dad is coming back Monday morning to put the engine in again... third times a charm... hopefully.
Jeremy
Post by: jeremy.farlow on June 21, 2020, 05:18:35 pm
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/45708fb994d566cccfb6eddbf92c5df7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/82c583572ea2cbba539de7d271ff59fc.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/2ca707e5ccf128797bee322d84d1210c.jpg)
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!!!
Jeremy
Post by: jeremy.farlow on June 22, 2020, 10:00:25 am
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200622/a8ad5ebcc451d7cbfd02c6a7aa600746.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200622/01c784f0f1eb66e0a90c229061fa6160.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200622/012f34847a58c9ce21d729f90558e3a6.jpg)
Jeremy
Post by: wz7u on December 08, 2021, 11:02:58 pm
Your post lets me know exactly what to look for on my up and coming experiment in header-dom. They never go like the box says they will....
Big blocks unite!
Post by: jeremy.farlow on December 14, 2021, 11:55:53 pm
I don’t remember exactly, but I would hazard I did that oil-cap while procrastinating something else… wiring… or maybe bashing my headers in…
Be safe
Jeremy