I spent some time today trying to remove my rk 4-2-1 header to put in my stans on my 2.4, and this is the header from hell. I remember me and holloweenxXx had a hell of a time doing it, but we got it all done and I cant realy remember how in the hell we did.
Im basicaly looking for some suggestions on how some of you removed the downpipe bolts. Mine are only hand tight but I still cant get my arms down there, even using swivel sockets and all kinds of @!#$. Im thinking of welding the bolt heads to the 4-2 part of the header, then It shouldnt be too hard to loosen the nuts on bottom I think. Also, whats the best way to remove the headeer from inbetween the firewall and back of the motor? I tried removing a motor mount and rocking the motor a tad but it still didnt do much. This was trying to remove the header with downpipe so that also made it much harder.
Any input is helpful, as right now I have an open downpipe lol. It doesnt realy have to be about just an ld9 rk 4-2-1 header, but maybe some of you eco guys with a tsudo or weapon-r header can help me out. Im sure I could get it out, but I just wana know if theres anything that could make it a bit easier for me. I also only worked on it for about 4 hours and did some other things, but its just a complete pita.
try a 2ft extension and swivel from the top
i know it sucked to do
Tried that, but then I dont have any room to loosen the nut underneath.
When I installed my pacesetter, I had to have my cat welded up so took it to a shop. I also had them install the downpipe since I didnt feel like lining up all the springs and all, and they welded the bolts to the header to make it easier and keep them from moving. Thats why im thinking about using some jbweld on the bolts to keep them from moving when I loosen the nut. Ill prolly try to take care of this tomorow, since Im running an open downpipe lol. Hopefully it wont take me forever and I can get it done.
have some one hold the wrench on the bottom and use the ratchet on the extension on top to loosen it up
any header on a eco or 2.4 with a auto sucks to do , the trans doesnt give ya enough room
Yes, it was a PIA to do.
You will seriously need a buddy to help you out.
Removal from the Firewall area.
-Put the front of the car on ramps
-Put a sturdy jack with a thick block of wood under the oil pan (DO NOT JACK)
-Lossen all the bolts holding the engine and tranny
-Slowly jack the engine up
-As for every jack-up pull the engine towards the front of the car.
-If still it does not coming out, jack up a little more, then pull engine and your buddy should pull out the 4 piece part.
It you want to remove the down pipe, attack it from the bottom.
>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
Yea I actualy tried that too, its hard to keep the socket on the bolt due to the length of the extension.
Anything to make pulling the header out easier?
I couldnt get to the downpipe from the bottom, and I tried jacking the motor up but it didnt realy seem to give me any room. Ill support the motor and have a friend rock it forward.
I know for a fact the stans will be cake compared to the rk lol.
You could always get a cherry picker?
15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"
Na I live in an partment so no cherry picker for me, and I cant think of any of my friends that have one. Ill just have to see what i can do and use some "brute force" as holloweenxXx called it lol
what a trade off for perfromance i wish they would have designed the 2.4 and eco would have the exhaust set up like the 2200 up front.
^^
Aw man Mike, didn't know it was gonna be that much trouble.
Hope you get it all worked out.
Since I need to ger it on my car.
-M
Remember....syringes go in the RED waste basket.
It will get taken care off soon, since I need to drive my car with more than just an open downpipe lol. Ill get it out somehow, we put it in so Im sure I can take it out.
Mastin I did cut the cat off to help to try to get it out, if you want I can weld it back on. Or if you wana use your cat thats fine.
if anything, you can bring my way. I can get it off for sure...
Getting "better built" for the '08...
Yea and your arms will hurt like hell too haha. Dont think Id like to drive down there with an open downpipe either lol
hahahahahahaha, true lol...
Getting "better built" for the '08...
Finally dot the downpipe off and header out. One of the downpipe bolts was crossthreaded so I used an impact and ended up braking the bolt head off...it came off though so i dont care haha. My car was on ramps and my other friend had my jack somewhere else, so my friend went and bought an suv jack so I could support my motor and remove my upper mount; got that done and pryed the motor forward some and got it out finaly. I need to repaint my idi cover though lol. To anyone wanting to do this design header, flex wratcheting wrenches make it a ton easier.
Got my stans in and started my custom downpipe/flex joint/30" glasspack thats all welded. Then called it a night since I was tired as hell, and we had to watch the season final of the kill point on spike lol. Gona finish it tomorow after I go get some more washers and such from home depot.
What all extra hardware is gonna be needed for the reinstall?
-M
Remember....syringes go in the RED waste basket.
Just 4 bolts/nuts for the downpipe. Im going to the hardware store tomorow so Ill just grab some while Im there. And like I said the cat is cut off, which you said you wanted to use your cat right?
Yup,
Try to spring for some bolt springs too
-M
Remember....syringes go in the RED waste basket.
I dont think youd need them for the rk 4-2-1 downpipe. Just get some new gaskets and your good to go
