Pulling my engine to install headers?

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Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby laffycaffi » Thu Jan 14, 2021 2:21 pm

First off - does it sound necessary? I was gifted these Scott Drake headers and went to put them in last weekend.

I've literally removed everything out of the way on the driver's side, except for the clutch fork. I'm assuming that would be a disastrous thing to do - to pull that out, correct? It's the only thing keeping me from getting these headers in.

So should I get a lift and try to lift out the engine? Seems crazy to me. How big of a project is that?

But if I did pull it out, I could clean it up and replace some gaskets, etc. I do have some small leaks down there.

Hoping to get some opinions. I'm not an advanced mechanic. Intermediate, I'd say, and maybe too confident at times.
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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby mickphatmac » Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:01 pm

I don’t know if this is the same boat you’re in but they look like they go in from the top but they do not, you have to put them in from the bottom and it’s tight but you can make them fit, I had some long tube headers and I tried everything going out of my mind trying to put them in from the top and then when I tried from the bottom they were in in about 12 minutes!!
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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby Justin » Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:58 am

What he said. I pulled some long tube headers and replaced with shorties. I can drop one of the shorties in from the top, but the other has to go bottom up.
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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby laffycaffi » Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:21 pm

Here’s my situation. I got it past the clutch fork but I can’t wing it in because the front diff is in the way. Painfully close.
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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby BroncoRaider » Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:19 pm

Can you put a Jack under the frame and let the suspension drop to get you the needed space?
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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby Eck » Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:27 pm

Agree with Tim- let the suspension drop so you have the room. Not sure where you are located, but I have extra tall jack stands if you need to borrow them.


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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby RJLougee » Tue Jan 26, 2021 9:34 am

It doesn't look like the clutch fork needs to go back very much. You could probably put a strap on it and leverage it back to make clearance??
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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby laffycaffi » Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:50 pm

I thought I was screwed, but Kirk came over, removed the yoke and the driver’s side slipped right in. The next day I thought the passenger side would be a breeze. Nope. Had to loosen the engine mounts and jack it out a half inch and finally manhandled the passenger side in. Done and done.
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Re: Pulling my engine to install headers?

Postby mickphatmac » Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:06 pm

Glad you got them installed!
Sounds about right, anything Bronco usually multiplied about 10 times longer than you think it should take!!
1968 3.5" Lift on 31's Front serpentine belt ViperBuilt 4x4x2 PS C4 '66 Speedo '66 Horn Button- STROPPE goodies: Steering Wheel, Roll Bar, Cactus Smasher
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