slight dilemma with hooker supercomps. the directions call for raising the truck 36 inches to gain access. i didnt have 3 foot jackstands, and even if i did i wouldnt want to work that high off the ground. drivers side, i decided i can install from above. a pulled the manifolds, and got the sawzall and sectioned the exhaust and pulled it out in pieces. the manifolds came off easily, with no stubborn or frozen bolts at all. YAY!!! i separated the steering shaft, and folded the two halves out of the way. i pulled the starter, and lowered it to the ground. (i disconnected battery before starting) dropped the header in from above, and bolted it in. took longer getting the steering shaft apart, than it did to install the header. why anyone would jack a truck 3 feet into the air to try to work a header in from below is a mystery...
factory stuff removed:
drivers side, getting ready:
out with the old. the manifolds are supposed to be shelby only items, so not sure if i will scrap them or not? anyone need them?
drivers side in. note split steering shaft, and i pulled starter up out of the way:
passenger side was a bit more problematic. there was no way the header was going in from below, and even from above, it was a no go. pulled the studs from the head, removed valve cover and removed a/c line from firewall and removed oil filter. header was getting closer, but still wouldnt fit. the old v6 motor mount pedestal was in the way. (why shelby didnt remove them, is another mystery) took the sawzall, and removed the corner of it. headers went a little more in, but now hit the bottom of the firewall.
going under truck,. i see the firewall is 2 stamped pieces of metal, with a pronounced lip/flange at the bottom. working between the frame and the edge of the trans pan, i made 3 cuts in the flange up to the point where it becomes actual firewall. using the BFH, i hammered the lip backwards until the two pieces were flush against the floor. tried headers again. so close, but still just a half in or so of interference to get them in.
took the top and bottom motor mount nuts off, and jacked the motor up on the pass side, until the bellhousing bottomed on the firewall. dropped header into place, and put a couple of bolts in to hold it. dropped motor and redid mount, then worked the header mounting it fully.
drivers side, all assembled ready to fire:
went fairly easily from above. i dont believe it would be possible to install in a shelby dakota from below. after putting it all back together, fired it up, and looked for any fluid leaks. none found, and no exhaust leaks either. sweet! ran the engine a bit, then shut it off and let it cool a bit. did this several times to help cure the headers. they smoked like a mother
next step is to get the mufflers installed. the crossmember will have to be modified, as the supercomps exit right in line with the mount. once i get the fab finished, will post some pics. also added A12 hoodpins up front, in place of the factory hood support pieces. going to paint the hood and cowl this week, in flat or matte black. next will be the install of the hughes whiplash cam, and removing the tbi for some carb action. ups/fedex is here almost everyday, as the parts pile starts growing. i picked up a NOS "Mopar Express" kit from another member here, and will most likely use it on this truck. it's a stripe kit, with a shelby lightbar, and a tonneau cover made for first gen dakotas. if i dont use it on this one, will use it on the next. been looking at/test driving shelby trucks around florida, but will likely get my old one back, or one from the ozarks. (my old one is currently an 11 second drag truck in indiana)
stay tuned.......