header install question
- Thread starter 97snk
- Start date
moparracing
Enthusiast
what brand of headers are you using?
NO KIDZ
Viper Owner
Got the same headers on my 98. They will fit, just tap them down, the shields flex. Make sure you us copper gaskets to bolt the assmy. together instead of the paper that they send. Cometic has the gasket, just do a search this site for the part#. Also make sure you trial fit the 90 degree flex coupling on to the header. I had to grind down some welds so they were a slip fit.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
You could grind the flange to make room for the plug shields and it wouldn't hurt the headers at all. Tapping the header down might make plug replacement a bit more difficult.
NO KIDZ
Viper Owner
fqberful
Enthusiast
The other thing you can do is pull those stupid heat shields out and use the ?nomex? fabric ones. That's what I did when I installed my M&M's.
The bonus to those is that they have a metal ring at the bottom that make pulling the spark plug boot off the plug a breeze.
--FQB
The bonus to those is that they have a metal ring at the bottom that make pulling the spark plug boot off the plug a breeze.
--FQB
1TONY1
Enthusiast
Pull the plug shields out. Install headers. Reinstall plug shields. Your manifold shields will also work with those headers. Just did a set last month. You can also use the stock metal gasket....even reuse it.
1TONY1
Enthusiast
cyaford
Enthusiast
BAD BOYZZ GARAGE
Enthusiast
97snk,
It's always best to strip the exhaust side of your head clean by removing spark plug heat shields first before installing new headers (good suggestion by the group).
I always use the stock Viper MLS (multi layer steel) gaskets. Chrysler did good with these gaskets
If your original gasket did not seperate you can re-use, if so just throw a new set on. Their pricing is pretty good.
Paper or thermal material type gaskets need to be re-torqued after several hundred driving miles & at times break & seperate from the extreme exhaust temps.
Best of luck on your project.
Toddy
It's always best to strip the exhaust side of your head clean by removing spark plug heat shields first before installing new headers (good suggestion by the group).
I always use the stock Viper MLS (multi layer steel) gaskets. Chrysler did good with these gaskets
If your original gasket did not seperate you can re-use, if so just throw a new set on. Their pricing is pretty good.Paper or thermal material type gaskets need to be re-torqued after several hundred driving miles & at times break & seperate from the extreme exhaust temps.
Best of luck on your project.
Toddy
NO KIDZ
Viper Owner
Grab a pair of pliers and pull them off.
CWhiteRun
Has Left the Room!
No tricks at all....take a pair of pliers and yank them out. Might have to twist a little bit but they should just pop out with a little motivation.
CWhiteRun
Has Left the Room!
lol beat me to it.
I used the stock steel exh. gask. As 1tony1 said, they are reuseable. For reuse a thin film of red (hitemp) silicone would help but probably not necessary. The modern thick flanges really make headers reliable. I'd retighten the bolts after a few heat cycles to maintain integrity of the seal.
Ted
Ted
Does Edelbrock use the same aluminized steel that is used on the Ballangers? In the Ballenger install instructions they say do not use the factory heat shields. That has been debated before and may have changed. I had my Ballengers ceramic coated inside and outside and have never used heat shields or plug protectors.
The Bellangers I just won at VOI 11 (thanks JonB and Lou B) are coated inside and outside for heat dispersal NOT into the engine compartment. Edelbrocks historically are painted.
You could send them in and get them coated, but I'm not sure if that would probably ruin the emissions certification and you'd be screwed in Cal.
You could send them in and get them coated, but I'm not sure if that would probably ruin the emissions certification and you'd be screwed in Cal.
Having spent many, many hours with Lou Bellanger on the phone and having him recently produce me a set of custom headers...I can tell you without a doubt that his concern for the heat shields is for premature failure of the Jet Hot coating.
CWhiteRun
Has Left the Room!
His edelbrocks are ceramic coated, but I still ran heat shields with them when I had a pair. I would rather risk the headers getting some scrathes and surface imperfections on them than melting anything in the engine bay.
GTS Dean
Enthusiast
So how many burnt plug wires have you replaced so far? The plug shields are there for a reason - keeping the boots from frying. I agree with Chuck - use a crescent-shaped file or a die grinder to clear the shields. Use the factory manifold shields to save your blower housing, ps hose and brake fluid from boiling.
fqberful
Enthusiast
I have never burnt a plug wire. I use these on both my GenIII Viper and my SRT10 Truck. Those heat booties do the exact same thing and don't interfere with the header flanges. The bonus is they make removing the plug boot so much easier so no damaged wires either.
--FQB
I m going to run quality wires with the boots, I'll ask Adam and post up...
I would take the heat shields off and put on the high-temp socks instead. You will be protected still. If you can keep the heat shields on there I would do that. I don't know based on the picture how close the heat shield and the header are next to each other but they look pretty darn close and not sure of you would have issues with clearance on the boot. As long as they are not touching. I think you would be okay. If you did remove the shields you would have easier access to the spark plugs/wires. Like i said just make sure nothing is touching or rubbing. I would get the headers coated in ceramic if it were me. Check out a coating caller Cermachrome. I have that on my Ferrari and you can polish it too. It withstands I think near 2000 degrees.
1TONY1
Enthusiast
Back to the original question and what most are missing:
The problem is the little tab on the head that sticks out above the exhaust port. This is not a fitment issue with the headers, it is an issue/part that needed to be removed in order to gain clearance to install the headers. Remove the boot shield then there is plenty of room to get the headers on. Normally the shield would be removed before even the stock exhaust manifold was removed. Reuse the shields or not is a personal call. I always use them if possible.
Picture showing the tabs...compare with his picture and you can tell where/why it is hitting.
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