Driver's side header is a bitch!! (KOOKS USERS INSIDE)
 

I can't seem to get the driver's side Kooks header in. I have the coil packs off, the tab grinded off, but no luck...

How do you remove the steering linkage?? I think if I get this done, it will slide right in...

NEED HELP ASAP!

-James

did you take off the oil filter? also when i installed my new qtps i had to take off the drain plug too, if that dont do it and yo need a hair more put a jack and a block of wood or phonebook under the drivers side of the oil pan and jack the motor up a little, its really easy, not as hard as everyone makes it out to be, i installed my headers in about 40minutes. but thats not including removing everything.

Yeah, the oil filter is off, plugs out, coil packs off, casting tab off.....and they still won't go in. The only thing I can think of is to remove the steering linkage....any more advice????

To get mine in took a combination of wiggling the engine up and down while manuvering the header up. Oil filter was off, no grinding necessary.

I dont see how its possible to get a long tube header in on the driver side without having to take the steering linkage off

The past two times I've installed Pacesetters, the drivers side went in without a problem after removing the oil filter and cutting the casting tab. Amazingly smooth install.

I didn't touch the steering linkage and it went in, just takes persistance and a no give up attitude.

I'm wondering how badly I scratched up the ceramic coating I did... !@$@!#$!@#$!@#

Well the design of my Kooks Headers will not allow me to get it in, without a lot of "taking off"

Back to my original question.....How do you take the steering linkage off??!?!?!?!?!!

I def agree, there is no WAY your going to get them KOOKS in there without removing the linkage if not more..... We need some help guys.

Hey Jimmie, edit your subject for this thread and specify KOOKs users

it should be the same but on my LT1 cars there is a bolt where it connects at the bottom of the linkage, just loosen it and slide the linkage off.

I cant believe you guys spend all that time cutting, and toying with it just because you dont want to loosen 2 bolts on the steering linkage. Just take a few extentions loosen the top steering linkage bolt from the top, then loosen the other from below. It takes what... a couple of minutes. Dont make things harder for yourself.

I jacked up the motor slighty and got mine in. I think that would be a little easier than doing the steering linkage. Just if you have a strut tower brace, watch that you don't jack your intake right into it.

hold on guys.............we tried to take the linkage and werent being lazy about it either........... we took the top and the bottom bolts out and it was way stiff and wouldnt budge, any suggestions with that?? Jack it up possibly?

Man they are ripping into us :jest: , I am sick of this install by now...I do think that geting this steering linkage losse is the key, if not, we can lift the engine up a tad and get it in.....but first we need ideas on what else to do to the steering linkage...

Like what was said before, we took the two bolts out, but it is stiff as a board. The linkage will not budge, any ideas??

no matter what this header install is going to be done by the end of tonight......... i wanna hear and ride in this thing........ we just need some good pointers on removing the linkage

i think were good J--- i got a good handle on this situation......keep the suggestions coming guys

get a bigger hammer

You might spray a little lubricant around the end of the steering linkage shaft and just knock it a little bit with a hammer. They tend to get stuck on there sometimes.

sounds like thats going to be the plan, ill try to bring a 5lb hammer.......;)

I installed the my SS Autochrome Long Tubes without removing anything. Both sides just tucked right in. Only thing I removed was plug wires and the oil dipstick.

I didn't have to touch the steering linkage, coil packs, casting tabs, k-member, or anything.

Now te Y-pipe is a different story...