My first race car was a A-body B-engine with a mostly
stock K-member with the T bars... no power steering..
I built the headers for it.. I could pull them out the
top without pulling anything.. drivers side was close
but they still went in and out.. they were 1 7/8...
then I got smart and started to eliminate all that extra
junk to lighten up the car.. I think he should be able
to pull the heads with the headers still in there.. just
pull them back(strap them back if needed)