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Tsp headers PITA!!

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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 08:10 PM
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Default Tsp headers PITA!!

I pulled my pacesetter long tubes and put in TSP 1 3/4. Long story short that was a pain in the ******* ***!! 5/6 header bolts lined up on the drives side and 3/6 on the passenger lined up. Then I was going to take it to a buddy only problem is.. I can't get the steering knuckle back on. I'm beyond pissed I'm shaking. Any help or suggestions will be great.

Last edited by 14k; Jul 16, 2012 at 12:40 PM.
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 08:30 PM
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Well, I wouldn't drill them. If they are wrong they should take care of you, I suspect they will.

If youre that pissed maybe a joke to lighten the mood? You're sure they're on the correct sides, right? I didn't say it'd be a good joke. Good luck man, I've had multiple issues with parts in my current build, you gotta just roll with it, it happens.
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 09:49 PM
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Yea right sides lol. I had to dent one tube on the drivers side and bfh on the passenger floor board. Drivers side went out the bottom after about 30-45 minutes passenger went quicker but lining up the header bolt holes was pay back. The 2 oval holes don't really line up like they did on the pacesetters although they are in the same place as on the tsps.

Is there any mls gaskets that are one piece and not 3 seperate pieces like I have? Or is that all mls gaskets?

Funny thing.. My car is my only car and I want to burn that bitch to the ground right now. And I'm walking to work in the morning lol.
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 09:52 PM
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MLS = Multi-Layer Steel...they're all 3 separate pieces.

Sucks your having problems, hopefully TSP can help you out. My ARH's were pretty much perfect, the motor mounts were the pain for me.
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 10:02 PM
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I Just put a set of their 1 7/8 on my car. Had to get my car jacked up really high, but other than that no problems. You shouldn't have any issues getting the holes to line up. I'd just check with tsp in case you got a bad set,
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 10:05 PM
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I get that it's multi layered I was just asking if there might be a mls that's pressed together.

I'll call tsp at lunch. I had the car up on ramps all I had /: the tubes had different bends so my tsps hit the knuckle and I pulled it but I can only get to te top bolt on it. Can someone post a pic of the lower bolt location?
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 12:15 PM
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Is there a specific way to put header bolts? Like 1st then last then middle etc?
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 01:06 PM
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I think I did a middle, the back, the front and then the remaining ones iirc
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 02:40 PM
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There are no variables when mounting a header to the head. I don't know how you were able to get the headers in place on ramps, but assuming you did, and the primaries line up with the heads, the bolts should also line up. If they don't, you should stop right there and take it up with whoever sold 'em.

You may sometimes encounter resistance putting the bolts in, but when the holes on the headers don't match the holes on the heads, the headers don't fit, period.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 07:02 PM
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I'm not Gunna lie it's probably something I'm doing wrong the holes are in the exact same place as the pacesetters but I can't get all the bolts in.

Here's my problem with the knuckle:






Although I hate them right now, I can't help but smile at how great the look in my bay.

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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 07:31 PM
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Have you got the bottom of the steering shaft undone?...I think that's the only way to get it lined up.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 07:34 PM
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Nope I couldn't get to it. Somehow the top part slid off when I unbolted it. My friend is going to mess with it all and finish it up while I'm at work tomorrow. I'll let y'all know how that goes.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 09:04 PM
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Were you able to call and get a hold of us today to get some help? I have never had or seen and issue like this with our headers. Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or concerns. Has this car ever been in a collision to your knowledge?
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 09:22 PM
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No Aaron I wasn't I called a few times around 12 today nobody answered. I was pretty upset when I had to dent these amazing looking headers to get them to slide in. Haha
And no collisions to my knowledge. I would think putting pacesetters in would suck if it was in a wreck. Iv measured with a friends trans am and they are the same distance from tOwers to engine. It was mostly how the tubes were routed that caused most of the problem.

Last edited by 14k; Jul 16, 2012 at 09:30 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 09:38 PM
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That steering shaft is not fun. We had to use multiple pry bars on mine and it still slid on very slowly. For the holes not lining up - if the pacesetters have the exact same bolt pattern (i.e. not a TSP issue), I think you just need to sleep on it and tomorrow everything will work out.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 09:42 PM
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Take all the bolts out of the ds header and pull it up as far as you can then slide the steering knuckle in, then bolt the headers on. Not sure how you were doing the bolts, but install all of them loosely and then tighten them up.If it hits, remove lower dash panel, loosen the bolts and slide your steering column over to see if that helps.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 10:11 PM
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I think something got you frustrated and your judgement got cloudy lol, did you put on the pacesetters? Did you put them in from the top or bottom? The car does have to be jacked pretty high,it was awhile ago but i think we even jacked up the motor as well, i will never do another set of headers on my back, lift is the only way to go
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 10:19 PM
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No I didn't put the pacesetters in. My buddy did. I put the two together and eyed it. Not best method but it could be part of it. My buddy that did my last headers is going to move the column and put the knuckle back and do the bolts.

Jeremy the headers aren't the problem now. They hit the knuckle wen I tried to slide them In so I took it off now it's at a weird angle and won't slide back on it clears the headers now they are in.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 11:28 PM
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The headers cannot hang or the bolts will not line up, and anyone who tells you different is a fool. You must support the collector from the bottom and then it still may take some wiggling to get all the holes to line up.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 11:31 PM
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My buddy helping (not the original header installer) was under wiggling the header. I'm going to regret this but I'm pulling the gasket and seeing if they line up that way. Bet they do and then I'll struggle with the gasket on lol
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