Did your guys' headers line up?

[Turbo6Smackdown]

I just threw in stock headers on my car, with kirbans fel-pro gaskets, and not only was there a tad too much play, when i put the gaskets on the header flange with the bolts in em, but then, when i mocked everything up, (without tightening every bolt down) the headers had a little back and fourth play when they were sittin on their bolts, hangin off the side of my engine. It's nothing crazy, or worn. Its all stock, and in great condition, just a little sloppy for my personal tastes. Is this lack of precision going to make the gaskets actually move over, and obstruct the exhaust ports on my engine? anyone have this problem before?

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

I noticed this on my car
I removed the gasket and put it back together and it looks to me like the header wholes where the bolt goes is to big or the bolts are to thin.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

yep. i hope that dont obstruct my holes

 

[VadersV6]

I just pressed some 1/2" OD, 3/8" ID bronze bushings in the top left and top right holes. Works great!

 

[bison]

Ive you ever have the heads off the car you can remove the valves and achieve perfect alignment by looking through the port with no valve in it. Then bolt it down and dowel pin the manifold to the head. I did it and now i never have to worry about alignment when putting the manifolds on.

 

[VadersV6]

Ive you ever have the heads off the car you can remove the valves and achieve perfect alignment by looking through the port with no valve in it. Then bolt it down and dowel pin the manifold to the head. I did it and now i never have to worry about alignment when putting the manifolds on.

The bushings work just as well cause the slip between the bolt and bushing is pretty tight. Plus its alot easier and you dont have to pull your heads off the engine and tear them down to do it.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

i see. good ideas. though, how do i know that my stock headers, with my stock heads, will align perfectly, if press those guides in the holes?

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

I just pressed some 1/2" OD, 3/8" ID bronze bushings in the top left and top right holes. Works great!

i need 4
where can i get them

 

[bison]

The bushings work just as well cause the slip between the bolt and bushing is pretty tight. Plus its alot easier and you dont have to pull your heads off the engine and tear them down to do it.

This would be fine if the exhaust ports on the heads were stock but you will get better results with the method i used if the heads have anything done to the exhaust ports. Mine are welded around the flange and opened up quite a bit.