At the beginning it was not that bad. The heat shields were actually a piece of cake to get the bolts removed. Im actually having more trouble with disconnecting the 02 sensors than the heat shields. I skipped the removqal of the streeting rack for now since I need the space underneath the car. I did unbolt the engine mounts and loosen the tranni mounts, I gained some space.

My 2 problems are;

I got 2 off but I am busting a nut on the rest of header bolts. Im having a hard time loosening them with the tools I have. There is not enough room to properly get a seat on the bolts for maximum power to loosen or I just cant loosen them. I used penetraing oil and have most of BA's tools listed. It seem I need a stronger air compressor to get them loose...

Having trouble disconecting the 02 senors

 

Hollywood,

I used PB Blaster penetrating spray and a long (16") swivel head 1/2 drive rachet with a 6 point impact socket to get most of the exhaust manifold nuts off. I also used a 15 inch 1/2 inch breaker bar on a few of the nuts. I was able to get the 6 point 14mm socket on all 16 nuts, but had to go from various angles above and below the car, including from the area where the oil filter is and the same area in the front on the passenger side ( this allowed me to get the front lower manifold nuts off ). 3 of the bolts were easy for me to remove on each heat shield, but the fourth was a little tougher and then I could not remove the heat shields until I jacked the engine up. Good luck...it's a PITA, but will be worth it.

 

Ya I got a few more off. The eat shield is now getting in the way alot. I got both sensors off too, but broke the secure clip on the driver one. I'll just tape it up after and it will be fine.

2 of my bolts started to round off I think they will require strong air power. Im not sure if some of my bolts are harder to loosen due to canadian weather...

 

P.S.

Running the car on open header sounds bad ***!!! Way better than the new corvettes.

 

is that safe? shouldn't it through codes? CEL?

 

I ran mine with the stock open header to warm up the O2 sensors and even on the Inline 6 it sure does sound bad ***.

 

I'm probably too late with this, but, Like TeeLex mentioned, the use of a quality 6-point socket and swivel, AND long ratchets or breaker bars did help quite a bit.
Also like TeeLex, I used a bunch of different angles in getting to things including the front, top -both sides, underneath from various angles. I think I got 6 from underneath, car was jacked up pretty good though.

As far as the Canada weather, my car did come from Cali, so maybe I was lucky in that department.

I did not use any air tools on the header bolts but I DID remove the heat-sheilds before working on the header bolts. Getting to the bolts of the heat shield wasn't a problem, but getting them out was!! Glad to see you raised the engine a little.


PS. Sometimes, putting the socket on the bolt and then hitting it with a very strong rap with a hammer can help to break something free. Don't hit it like your sister would though.

 

Perfectly safe. throwing a cel is no biggie.

Basically it was like nascar+harley+japaneese refinement it sounded sooo hott! Not as loud as I imagined tho.

I have ran cars open header before and they sound like ****.

 

Hollywood, were you going to replace your O2 sensors or just extend the wires?

 

yeah, what I'm about to say is soooo not relevant, but,.....back in the day, I ran my 69 Camaro Rally Sport (which I still have) with a 327 and big cam through Indianapolis with open headers. I wasn't *****-footin' around on the pedal neither!

It was AWESOME!!!!!!