Anyone tried to install their motor with the headers bolted on? I've got my engine and bellhousing ready to go it, decided I'll put the tranny on once the motor is in.

I have my hedman headers mocked up on my engine and was trying to see if I could put the engine in with them on but it's too close to guess.

Wondering if anyone has tried successfully or unsuccessfully to do this?

Truck is a '73 F250, 2 wheel drive, 390, 4 speed.

Thanks,
Jordan

 

Probably the easiest way would be to have the headers laying to the side, hooked up to the exhaust system, and stick the engine down on top. Also, it's easier to tie the starter to the header so you dont have to wedge it in there afterward.

 

Starter is already bolted up, since I'm putting the motor in with the clutch/bellhousing already bolted up. It also doesn't have any exhaust yet, that will come later.

Last time I replaced a starter on a '67 with a 360 I had to put the header and starter on at the same time, neither would fit unless they were both unbolted. Quite a PITA.

Anyway, I might give it a try just to see if it can be done and let folks know. Was just wondering if anyone else had attempted it.

Jordan

 

It can be done! It's tight but it made it.




Jordan

 

In most case the header interfer withthe frame some where if bolted to the engine. However a lot of trucks have enough room, so try it anf if you habr interference pull one header and lay it in the engine bay and try that. What hve you got to loose. The only engines with headers attached that I ever got to drop in were in my race car and were designed so they would fit installed.

 

It surely helps when you have the smaller brake booster, and shorter tube headers.

John

 

Do I have the small brake booster and shorter tube headers? Those are just Hedman's cheapy's. I've ran them on my '65 Coronet 440 for years now with no problems so I figured I'd run them on this truck too.

The Herdmans for the FE fit much better than they did on my 440 in my Coronet, in it I had to make dents around the starter and other places to get them to fit. The FE had lots of room around the starter area. I haven't looked between the frame yet though.

Jordan

 

We had my motor out last week and when we put it back in we bolted up the pass side header to the engine and removed the motor stand (?) on that side from the frame. It made life a lot easier than trying to wedge the header and starter down in afterwards.

 

I always lay my headers in place before dropping the motor in. Keep them in a trash bag so they stay clean and they look like new after bolted up (have a look).

--Mike

 

Unless the headers are ceramic coated I don't bother trying to keep them pretty, the paint will eventually burn off anyway.

 

Yes sir, You have the small booster. My Hooker Super comps are a lot longer, and ya can't pull the starter with them on.

John

 

I don't think there's an FE header than you can pull the starter on without unbolting the header.