Belanger header install question

[94rt10ohio]

I left their damn number at work and can not call tonight from home. Anyhow I went to install my passenger side header when I got home. Belanger instructions said to remove the plugs, which I did. However it said nothing about removing the round "heat shields" that are in each spark plug hole. I looked at them before attempting to install thinking to myself, damn, this will be tight. Well while trying to get the headers to meet up to the head I appear to be binding up on these round heat shields, so the question is for other Belanger guys.... Did you have to pul these things out and leave them out? If so how did they come out? Brut force squeeze and pull?

or

Am I just not getting the headers to fall into place around these shields?

 

[AWDisuzu]

those heat shields slide right out. it wouldn't make much sense to remove just the plugs

 

[94rt10ohio]

those heat shields slide right out. it wouldn't make much sense to remove just the plugs

I agree, but did not want to pull them out if I did not have to, mine are not "sliding" right out.

Thanks, back to work, I am determined to get a side on tonight.

 

[womsterr]

I pull them out. They just wiggle out....

 

[AWDisuzu]

ok ok "wiggle out" "just slide right out" same thing lol

yea i wiggled mine out too.

 

[womsterr]

A couple were a royal BITCH to put back. I also pulled a damn terminator out of the wire too...argh..

 

[ViperTruck2933]

A couple were a royal BITCH to put back. I also pulled a damn terminator out of the wire too...argh..

I left the metal heat shields off and put some of the fiberglass heat socks on. Got them at Advance Auto parts. You can see them a little bit in this pic.

 

[Chuck B]

Bellanger is just around the corner from me. Be happy to go by and kick some butt! :rock:

 

[Smokin Joe]

I left their damn number at work and can not call tonight from home. Anyhow I went to install my passenger side header when I got home. Belanger instructions said to remove the plugs, which I did. However it said nothing about removing the round "heat shields" that are in each spark plug hole. I looked at them before attempting to install thinking to myself, damn, this will be tight. Well while trying to get the headers to meet up to the head I appear to be binding up on these round heat shields, so the question is for other Belanger guys.... Did you have to pul these things out and leave them out? If so how did they come out? Brut force squeeze and pull?

or

Am I just not getting the headers to fall into place around these shields?

I removed mine before installing the headers. They came out but it took a little effort. I took a pair of channel lock pliers and had to work them back and forth they eventually came out (pain in the ass). After installing the headers I reinstalled the shields. I used the back side of a hammer and taped them back in place.

Good luck,
Smokin Joe

 

[94rt10ohio]

Thanks for the help, they did wiggle out just fine. Headers are on. I am moving SOOOOO SLOW. Back when I started I pulled my back jacking the truck up, so during the whole process I been sore, bending over into the engine compartment is really bad. Laying under the truck is OK, once I get there.

I managed to get the headers on without pulling the wheel well liners out, but was not easy!

For those of you that put the Belangers on their instructions say no gasket between the headers and mid pipes?? That is a new one to me. I am old school, anything I ever modded, well other than CAI type stuff, was 60s or older. The instructions say to use a hightemp O2safe silicone. Coming from a old school this is hard to swallow, so I was just looking for others who did this and was good with the silicone.

FYI, this is all getting documented and a step by step instruction post will be fourth coming.

 

[AWDisuzu]

hmm, I would trust the instructions, but in my experience silicone lasts about 10 minutes on any exhaust part. even that copper kind.

of course, magnaflow comes with nearly useless pipe clamps that I had to have welded on so who knows. I'd trust bellenger's instructions though.

i left those heat shields off and i've now got over 25,000 miles on my truck with no problems so far. the wires are still soft and pop on and off the plugs easilly.

good luck! and sorry to hear about your back. that's the worst.

 

[ViperTruck2933]

Thanks for the help, they did wiggle out just fine. Headers are on. I am moving SOOOOO SLOW. Back when I started I pulled my back jacking the truck up, so during the whole process I been sore, bending over into the engine compartment is really bad. Laying under the truck is OK, once I get there.

I managed to get the headers on without pulling the wheel well liners out, but was not easy!

For those of you that put the Belangers on their instructions say no gasket between the headers and mid pipes?? That is a new one to me. I am old school, anything I ever modded, well other than CAI type stuff, was 60s or older. The instructions say to use a hightemp O2safe silicone. Coming from a old school this is hard to swallow, so I was just looking for others who did this and was good with the silicone.

FYI, this is all getting documented and a step by step instruction post will be fourth coming.

Dude,
You are making it hard on yourself by not pulling the wheel liners. They come out in about 2 minutes with a cordless drill. :dontknow: Then you can sit on a stool and do all your bolting in and not have to bend over the front of your truck.

Use OEM exhaust manifold gaskets. Spray both sides of them with High Temp Copper RTV before installing them. This will help hold them in place while you get the bolts in and help them seal after they are bolted in. I would NOT install the headers with no gaskets.

 

[womsterr]

He's talking about the gaskets between the headers and mids. I went to the local muffler how and picked them up for 3" mids. Its a good idea to use them and definately won't hurt. I sprayed all the gaskets with copper coat and let them dry before installing.

He's right on with the liner bro - so easy to take out and makes the job 1000% easier!

 

[ViperTruck2933]

He's talking about the gaskets between the headers and mids. I went to the local muffler how and picked them up for 3" mids. Its a good idea to use them and definately won't hurt. I sprayed all the gaskets with copper coat and let them dry before installing.

He's right on with the liner bro - so easy to take out and makes the job 1000% easier!

Gotcha! I used the High temp RTV between the headers and mids and it has worked just fine. No leaks here. :rock:

 

[94rt10ohio]

Just a thanks to everyong who answered my couple questions. Job is done, however I do have a little leak where the mids go into the muffler, clamps are as tights as they go. I am just going to weld those two seams.

Oh, and the truck is so much easier to drive now that I can hear it!

How to coming this weekend.