installing slip fit headers and sidepipes

[aeon]

ok anyone got the secrete to putting the slip fit headers and side pipes together.

i have the header tubes all loose but things are not going together well....

Help

[Dwight]

Hose clamps and wooden wedges

[aeon]

hows that help get the tubes into the sidepipe?

[RockBit]

I installed my slip fit side pipes without much proble. I left the primaries loose, smeared vaseline on the male pipes, and got them all started a little. I then used avdead blow plastic hammer to drive them on until I could get the retaining screws in. The tightened up the primaries.

One additional note. I sqeezed any tubes that were out of round with channel lock pliers to get the round enough to be able to start the insertion.

[Dwight]

I had to buy a tail pipe expander to enlarge a couple of the female pipes.

The hose clamp can pull the pipes together. The wedges can be used to move (spread ) them apart.

Can use insert the side pipe into the headers before you install them on the car? Work on them till you can get them close to slipping together. Some are made with one pipe just a little bit longer so you can start it first. Second pipe a little short then the third with the fourth the shortest.

Then install header onto car. The side pipes should be close. Now use the hose clamp and wedges.

Good luck. I think slip fit pipes are a test in life

[CompClassics]

Don’t forget to use anti-seize on the slip fit areas, it will allow you to fit everything together and will usually burn off once the engine is running.

[Large Arbor]

I just went through this. I take mine off occasionally to paint. The header portion remains bolted and and then I shim the pipes so that the line up to the header portion. Once on, I moved them back and forth with gentle force and then tap with a mallet and 2X4. It works but it's still a pain.

Phil

[aeon]

thanks for the help guys! they were labor bound nothing a few good whacks could not fix Grease/anti seize and soft mallet for the win

she might run this week!!!!!

[C427Kirkham]

RockBit has the right idea and its exactly what we do here at Kirkham Motorsports. Unbolt the header tubes from the block so they are loose but leave the bolts on a couple threads. Grease on the ends, start each of them and dead blow plastic hammer them into place. Then everything gets screwed and bolted down tight.

Chris Kirkham
Kirkham Motorsports