SW header install prep time...

[a_d_a_m]

I’m thinking that will probably void the warranty on the headers.

[a_d_a_m]

Being a pack rat pays off. I had these parts laying around from 2012 and SOMEHOW was able to lay my hands on them...which is a good thing, because NONE of the FLAPS had the correct exhaust manifold gasket in stock, and my local Ford dealer thinks the Marauder is a 2V car.

[crownvic97]

Being a pack rat pays off. I had these parts laying around from 2012 and SOMEHOW was able to lay my hands on them...which is a good thing, because NONE of the FLAPS had the correct exhaust manifold gasket in stock, and my local Ford dealer thinks the Marauder is a 2V car.

I always put spare stuff like this away thinking, “someday I may need this.” Hasn’t happened yet but I imagine it’s a great feeling!

[a_d_a_m]

I've still got NIB parts laying around from my '89 LeBaron. Sold that car in 2003!

[a_d_a_m]

Headers are in.
3 bolts on the passenger side snapped, and required a lot of cuss words to free.
AC still needs to be bolted in before a road test.

[a_d_a_m]

Buttoned up and road tested.
25 miles, no check engine lights.

Driving this car on a stock tune is THE WORST. Pretty sure I found a picture of the guy who handled shift points.


Anyway, no drone, pretty quiet at idle. Hell, it almost sounds stock. Cruises quiet, too. When you lay the pedal to it, it really does get loud though. I like it overall, but now I'm thinking I might go with some new mufflers.

First things third, a tune. That'll happen Friday, I hope.




Would I do headers again, knowing what a pain in the ass my experience was? No.

But I'm glad I got in there. The PS exhaust manifold gasket was trash and would have failed eventually.

[Agent2006]

Nice! Anything you know now

that you wish you knew at the start?

[a_d_a_m]

Yes. Installing headers is not my strong suit.

[1Marauder]

Great Job! Great write up, and thanks for photos!

A slight adaptation:

Liquid Bandage is the goop that you put on your cut, bleeding hands to keep the blood off of your new coated headers.
Liquid Courage is Beer
Liquid Pain Killer is Bourbon... AKA "Swing Oil" when golfing, or "Aiming Fluid" when golfing or hunting.

[a_d_a_m]

Hey, y'all, one thing I forgot to do when I was under the car was measure the starter and get an idea of what sort of real estate I had. I want to do a starter wrap/blanket.

Has anyone installed one and if so, can you recommend one that fits well that doesn't break the bank?

(or, at least tell me approximately what dimensions I'll need so I don't have to jack up the car just to measure?)

[justbob]

I just grabbed the one off the shelf at Advance. They only stock one and it’s universal.


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[Joe Walsh]

I put on a DEI starter blanket..... from SUMMIT Racing (IIRC)
It had Velcro strips built onto it so I didn't need to wrap bailing wire around it.
It was a 'Universal' / one size fits all heat blanket.

http://designengineering.com/versa-s...tarter-shield/

BUT!
I put the heat blanket on the starter after taking off the OEM manifolds and before installing the Kooks headers.

[justbob]

I put on a DEI starter blanket..... from SUMMIT Racing (IIRC)
It had Velcro strips built onto it so I didn't need to wrap bailing wire around it.
It was a 'Universal' / one size fits all heat blanket.

http://designengineering.com/versa-s...tarter-shield/

BUT!
I put the heat blanket on the starter after taking off the OEM manifolds and before installing the Kooks headers.

I believe mine was DEI also.


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[offroadkarter]

I ended up buying some generic one on amazon that had good reviews but it does use 2 giant metal bands to keep it on. So far so good.

The red car which I had the headers coated before install, I am still on the original starter. Black car has uncoated headers which I think is why the non-original starter died.

[crownvic97]

Do the SW headers kill starters? I don’t have a blanket on mine but I’ve only put about 3,000 miles on it since the rebuild.