I don't want to be burned at the stake but with your current health and abilities, unless this is some kind of competition car I'd cut those headers out of there and go back to the stock cast iron 360 HP manifolds. Your current problem would go away and future problems won't exist.
I too would get rid of the headers. On my big block Dart I used a couple of long extensions to the front of the engine and was able to get the starter bolts out...
I took manifolds off my "cruise around town" car and put headers on years ago. Sure, there was a difference in the seat-of-the pants driving. But it was not worth all the headaches that go with headers--especially on a big block. Captured starters, exhaust leaks, coolant leaks, burned plug wires and starter wires, high underhood temps, rusty tubes, poor spark plug access, etc.
I have HP manifolds on my current car and I don't miss the headaches of headers.
