Okay, before I bust all my knuckles...I am trying to install a set of Summit headers on my 69 Charger R/T with a 440. Do I have to drop the steering linkage to get the passengers side in, or if I pull the valve cover, will it go in from the top? The drivers side...it says I need to pull the starter, and the motor mount and raise the engine. Do you have any tricks from experience that make it less painful??
Dave in Colorado

Yes, pull everything that's in the way or needed to put headers in.


I can do my 2-1/8 inch headers in less than a hour in my sleep. And I pull everything off.

I thought the passenger side fit from the top on my coronet, but its been awhile.
On the drivers side, i vividly remember balancing the starter at the same time I was finagling the header into place. And the engine was definately jacked up off the mount. Good times.......A third hand helps. Hope someone else can have better news.
With the engine out, you can place the headers in the engine compartment and then gently lower the engine in and put every thing together at once. Thats the only secret I know

Well, the passengers side is definitely not going in from the top! Wishful thinking on my part I guess. So the steering linkage comes off next! I'll bet the guys that sell Mopar headers laugh every time someone places an order! I didn't put them on when I put the engine in, I was going stock, then decided to open up the exhaust..so here we are..

with my hedmans, and i'm told that the big block mopar headers are all basically the same...

PASS SIDE: loosen motor mount after jack placed under motor, jack motor up fairly high, header will drop in from the top. set it in place and a quick palm thrust will drop it in. put in your bolts with permatex on them. lower motor, put bolt back in motor mount

DRIV SIDE: loosen motor mount, this side will need jacked up as high as you can. loosen starter and feed header up from the bottom. have a helper hold the header or wire it up (possibly to the hood). while the header is close to in place, put starter back in. then put your permatexed bolts in, lower motor, put the bolt back in and you're done.

On my cuda the pass. side went in from the bottom without removing anything.You have to get the car high enough off the floor. Make sure u use teflon tape or sealer on the header bolts.

Take the torsion bars out...Suddenly theres lots of room...

Well....that went well. Had to raise the motor about as far as it would go, but the header dropped right in...but wow, is that a tight fit. Its almost touching the inner fenderwell, and the torsion bar. Drivers side tomorrow! I had to drop the header on my ex-67 Coronet on the drivers side, so I am well aware of the juggling act with the starter. Maybe its a good time to go to a mini-starter! Thanks for the tips my Mopar friends!

Yes you want a mini starter now. The last thing you need is to remove the whole thing again because the old starter cannot take a heat soak.


Meaning...

If you leave the old big starter in, you will learn to install and remove the driver's header pretty good over the next couple years.

Disconnect battery. Put the car up on jackstands, remove the tires - it will give you more room. Take out the spark plugs so you don't break them all off. Drain coolant from radiator into a container for reuse. Now would be a good time to install studs in your heads to prevent coolant leaks and help in the future removal without leaks. Place block under oil pan and loosen motor mounts and jack engine up as high as possible. Watch out for fan hitting fan shroud - may need to remove shroud. Cut slots in header flange on bottom of mounting holes to slip over studs you installed. Makes life much easier. Get a mini-starter or several rebuild kits for your big starter. If you leave big starter in you will need them eventually. Install headers from bottom side - if using big starter, will need to do this as at the same time. Once headers/starter are installed, revers above procedure until everything looks relatively "in place". Double check all fasteners. Reinstall coolant. Fire up car and check for leaks. It may/WILL help to have one person on top/inside engine bay while you are underneath, and another to swap tools back and forth and fetch refreshments. Take your time. Patience is key. Laugh a lot at times. Try out new curse words you were saving for that "special occasion". Reward yourself handsomely with plenty of alcohol AFTER you are finished.Good luck.

Oh, and don't break your dipstick off in the block. They are very fragile.

Yeah ps always seem to be a tight fit. Pretty sure they are offset to the ps... worst part is changing plugs, but they are alot easier than alot of newer cars!

Easy buddy. Here ya go I just put them on my 70 w/ P/S. So unbolt the motor mounts, jack up the engine, install pass side 1st. While the headers a loose get your plugs in. By the way w/ the Summit headers you can use all of you mani studs, so don't pull them out. Ok pass side is tight, now put your plug wires on. Now drop the block down install the pass side mount bolt. Drop your steering or pull the steering column or both. Now jack the car way up...now jack the motor up, it should tilt over towards the pass side Now slide the header up from the bottom, it should go right in. Then do the same as pass side, get the plugs in, tighten install your wires and drop the engine, bolt the mount let the car sown and you're done, It also helps if you remove t hat big a$$ battery tray. Heres a pic of mine.
Driver side