so i started the install of my LT headers and highflow cats on my 06 5.4 today. driver side went smooth and is finished, however on the passenger side i was able to get all of the top bolts off but i was only able to get to one of the bottoms, the starter, ac, and engine mount are in the way of the other 3 bolts. does any one have any suggestions or tips on doing this?

 

Hey what brand did you go with?

 

Unbolt the starter and set it to the side.

unbolt the motor mount and jack up the passenger side of the engine

You will need a couple of extensions of different lengths, a few general swivel adapters, and a few swivel sockets won't hurt. Both in 1/4" and 3/8" size. Different types of wrenches of the correct nut size also.

I am assuming you have already removed the inner fenders?

 

i went with pacesetter because i got them stupid cheap.

yes i have the inner fender well out, and i have some extensions and swivels for my 3/8. ill see in the morning if i can figure out how to get the starter off and if i have a socket big enough to undo the motor mount.... i dont think i do though. thanks for the help though i hope i can get it done tomorrow morning it would suck to have to walk 3 miles to my afternoon class.

 

Get to the starter from the front of the truck thats how I did mine,..... mini ratchet wrench is super handy for the header bolts

 

yeah, no ratchet wrenches... already took several bolts off with open end wrench lol. it looked like two bolts semi in the open for the starter, i was tryin to avoid it cause the starter on my 302 and 351 were a pain in the *** and those were on motor stands. was there a need to take off the ac compressor?

 

A/C compressor can stay put, but removing the starter and jacking the engine on the passenger side will give you enough room, swivels and long extensions helped me out as well.

 

ok so how did yall jack the motor up (providing i have a socket pig enough to take the mount off) because all i have is 2 small floor jacks and one is holding the truck up

 

ok so i got the starter off, that third bolt is a pita.... i dont have a wrench big enough to undo the motor mount. and i guess i got lucky on the driverside as all but one stud came out and the one came out easy with a 5mm socket (i think dont remember exact size) however on the passenger only one stud came out so i took the trusty 5mm socket to the other studs and two of them have striped.

 

its just the one big fat nut you have to take off on the pass side, its pointing towards the deck, remove that and place a piece of wood under the bolt and jack it up about an inch or so.

 

mines like that on the driver side i think, the passenger has to 21mm or so nuts pointing straight down, then a bolt with a 19mm or so head and 15mm or so nut that runs parallel through the rubber part of the mount. i got a few of the studs out with a pair of vice grips. thers still a stud in the bottom of the 1, 2, and 4 cylinders and in the top of the 3 cylinder (counting from front to back) im goin to see if i can find a ride to the parts store tonight and get some more pb blaster and any other tools they might have. but for now im gonna change and start the 2 or 3 mile walk to school

 

First of all, you don't have jack stands? BAD BAD BAD BAD! Jacks fail, I have personally seen it happen, and my father has had students die from it(he is an automotive teacher).

Go to harbor freight and buy you some 6 ton jack stands for under $30... Sometimes they have deals for under $20.

2nd yes, you undo that one big nut for the mount and jack it up.

The driver side is super easy and I had it done in about 15 minutes. The passenger side is a pita.

Like I said, 3/8 extensions and swivels and 1/4" extensions and swivels. If you have a mini ratchet wrench those help also. Once you get the passenger side of the engine jacked up a few inches all the nuts are "easily" accessible.


Why are you removing the studs? If it was good enough for the factory to last 100k+ miles, It will be good enough for your headers..

I personally used my studs and nuts and have not even re-tightened. I do plan on checking them though when I'm installing my stall later this month.

 

which big nut, the two that are pointed down or the one bolt that runs through the rubber part of the mount parallel with the ground? i was replacing the studs with locking bolts but that might not be an option on all of them. and is it possible to get the motor mount bolt(s) off by hand, i dont have a 1/2 impact or compressor. the air compressor i have barely runs my 3/8 impact. and my friend is spose to give me a ride to the parts store later and i will get some jack stands while im there to put ur mind at ease. oh another reason i was getting the studs out is that without the motor jacked up there wasnt enough room for the manifold to come off

 

The big nuts facing down.

Yes you can get the off by hand.

Yes, jacking the motor up lets you get the manifold off and long tubes in without removing the studs.

Auto parts stores 6ton stands will be $50

the 3tons are to short for our trucks, so Don't bother.

Go to a harbor freight. The 6ton's are $30 regular price, and the 3tons are $20. I just bought a two sets of 3 tons for my viper for $11.99 each on sale... Where as an auto parts store wants at least $40 for them. It's just right across town in Waco off of new road and Bosque.

6ton
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38847

harbor freight 20% coupon off any single item:
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/html...mages/20_c.jpg

That's those stands $26 out the door...

Anywhere else you are paying $50 for the same thing.

I'm assuming you are going to TSTC...referring to classes. Are you an automotive student?

 

ok thanks for all the help, i might not have a choice cause i think harbor freight closes before any of my friends get off of work to come give me a ride (ntm parts store is less then 3 miles away and HF is across town lol) anything else i need or need to know? and once again thanks for all the help. times like this makes me miss bein at my parents house where i have a shop and all the tools i need.