No I am not sanding down the block to lose weight

but I am installing a set of headers for my friend and all was going real well until we got to the passenger side MAC header. For some damn reason I can't get it out. I know some people say to remove the valve cover and it'll slide through the top, but I am really not in the mood to take the valve cover off and put on a new gasket (never done it before too)

Anyhow there is a small block about 1"x1"x.5" down in the lower corner passenger side near the firewall attached to the motor, and this damn little block is what is not allowing the Mac to slide out the bottom.

Now my question is, can I go at this small block with a file or dremel and sand the bad boy down a little till the Mac can slide out, or is this something important that I shouldn't be messing with?

Thanks!

 

Send JRP a PM. I believe he sanded down his block a little bit when installing his headers.

 

If removing the valve cover will help, go ahead and do it. Its more of an O-ring than a gasket,(made of rubber). Its reusable unless you for some reason break it.

Brandon

 

Yeah, the valve cover is real simple to remove. If you need help on how to pull it, send me a PM.

 

We used a Sawsall to cut the casting ear off.

 

if you look in the exhaust guide i put a picture of my block tab i sanded down. took a few minutes with a die grinder and all was good.

 

go ahead and remove what you need, you wont go through.

I had to do the same thing on my car.

 

angle grinder + anger = no more block and mac header on the floor.....All went well, thanks guys

Just gotta start the car now (too late tonight, neighbors would of been pissed)

 

TRUST ME, i know how that goes...i was about to go postal on my car.

 

Its really weird, if you don't go postal on your car; cursing at it, demoralizing it, it just won't give in to you.

I know I called this 1 bolt a stupid little ***** for about half and hour till she finally gave in

I love working on cars

 

if you ever do a oil pump swap, the oil pick up tube bolt awaits your punishmnt