Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: Nytedragon on February 22, 2012, 07:40:08 PM
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 22, 2012, 07:40:08 PM
I started around 11:30am and stopped for the day at 5:30. I only got the driver side in. To think I had planned on doing both headers, dual exhaust, rear coils and shocks today. Had I known how involved the headers would be I would have waited till this weekend when I have two full days off. I will resume tomorrow about 8am and have to be to work by 3pm. Oh and my car is column shift, so now I have to install the floor shifter sitting in my closet lol.
If that wasn't bad enough, the fun dealer I'm having a pistol transferred through wasn't there to receive my pistol today. Now I have to wait even longer:mad:.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: T-BirdX3 on February 22, 2012, 08:07:41 PM
In general, I find everything about headers a headache.....
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Thunder Chicken on February 22, 2012, 08:16:12 PM
I had long tubes in my old 88 cougar for exactly one day. I installed them, took the car for a drive, and then discovered that every time I goosed the loud pedal the drivers side header would hit the column shift linkage and knock it into neutral. Not fun. I yanked 'em and installed a set of shorties. This was before the Internet, and those headers were the only ones Canadian tire listed for a 5.0 cougar. Had I known then what I know now I'd have swapped a t5 in, but I was a dumb, broke, apprentice mechanic in my early 20's at the time...
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 22, 2012, 08:19:36 PM
The funny thing is I've had the stuff for the floor shifter install for atleast 6 months.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Shadow on February 22, 2012, 08:22:59 PM
they're definitely a PITA to install, but the DS is the bigger headache.. the PS should be a little easier for you lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 22, 2012, 08:30:09 PM
yea...remove starter, disconnect heater core hoses...oh and cut the downpipe thingy. Both cast manifolds unbolted easily enough, but the pipes connecting them to the cats...I said to hell with it and cut them. Oh and there was a tab sticking out the drivers side of the AOD I had to cut off.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: SR71blackbird on February 22, 2012, 10:05:45 PM
HAHAHA that sounds like me working on my car. It always takes WAY longer than what i plan...
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Shadow on February 22, 2012, 10:14:57 PM
Quote from: SR71blackbird;381436
HAHAHA that sounds like me working on my car. It always takes WAY longer than what i plan...
this is why i'm not allowed to handle the time estimates in my own shop.. i'm terrible at it lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: 87tbird5.0 on February 22, 2012, 10:16:34 PM
i got long tubes on a 95 f150 and i HATE them. get maybe 3 weeks out of a set of wires b4 it burnd them up the headers are way to close to the plugs and it melts the boots off even with protectors on. now my tbird has shortys and i have no issues at all lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 22, 2012, 10:34:42 PM
LMAO now I find out my brother's 88 grand marquis is getting junked...I get free parts and first dibs! So shortly I will no longer have a cfi 85! His car is speed density...but free parts and $150 in ebay parts and I have MAF!!! omg I'm excited lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Shadow on February 22, 2012, 10:37:20 PM
spare motor and trans? lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 22, 2012, 10:46:45 PM
His trans is trash...and storing a whole motor isn't gonna fly with my landlord. So just taking the upper/lower, injectors, rails, harness, intake ductwork/air cleaner housing, maybe distributor and alternator...oh and if his car has the e-fan...that too!
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 22, 2012, 10:48:36 PM
oh and valve covers
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Beau on February 23, 2012, 01:31:19 AM
I have an explorer upper/lower that needs a home...
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: bryan163 on February 23, 2012, 01:53:52 AM
post some pictures of the header install if you can. I'd like to see what the clearance looks like.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Haystack on February 23, 2012, 02:02:09 AM
Why would the land lord need to know you have an engine? I had my 302 short block in the storage area closet on my deck for 2 years without issue. Sucked getting up 2 flights of stairs by myself though. Had help getting it down. All and all, not sure I would do it again.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Beau on February 23, 2012, 03:12:05 AM
I might assemble the Sport's next engine in my basp00get. No exterior entry/exit, just the stairway up/down to my utility room.
Coupla years ago, we laid down plywood, and dragged/pushed out an old deep freeze... thing must've weighed 400 pounds. I'm sure I could do the same to the engine...leave the heads off for some weight savings. My shop is just a pole barn, drafty, dusty, damp, not the place to have a freshly cleaned shortblock sitting around, even covered up.
My point: put your engine in an out of the way place, tarp it up good, mouse proof it, and all that...tell the landlord it's an antique table or some such...you're going to give it to a relative for a birthday gift etc lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Shadow on February 23, 2012, 06:46:50 AM
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;381527
I might assemble the Sport's next engine in my basp00get. No exterior entry/exit, just the stairway up/down to my utility room.
Coupla years ago, we laid down plywood, and dragged/pushed out an old deep freeze... thing must've weighed 400 pounds. I'm sure I could do the same to the engine...leave the heads off for some weight savings. My shop is just a pole barn, drafty, dusty, damp, not the place to have a freshly cleaned shortblock sitting around, even covered up.
My point: put your engine in an out of the way place, tarp it up good, mouse proof it, and all that...tell the landlord it's an antique table or some such...you're going to give it to a relative for a birthday gift etc lol
ha.. i did the sale thing in my old house for my old sport.. easy going down, a real pain to get back up
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 23, 2012, 07:12:50 AM
my brother, my landlords and I live in the same building...my landlords are also my parents...free 2 bedroom apartment as long as I help with maintenance. Oh and my storage is full already lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 23, 2012, 10:09:51 PM
Honestly the clearance is none. Seriously...may vary by brand...but these suck. I might have to do some tpuppies on the k-member. Plus getting them in with the engine in...yea they aren't so pretty anymore.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Aerocoupe on February 24, 2012, 12:02:19 PM
I installed Headman 1-1/2" primary longtubes on my '83 waaay back in the mid 90's and they cleared very well with the stock AOD. Had to do a little work on the column shift linkage to get things to clear but it was easy enough. If a person was going to stay with the column shift shorties are the only way to go with a mild motor.
Darren
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on February 24, 2012, 12:55:40 PM
I installed Mac longtubes on my 88 TC with 5.0 swap. Yea. They were a pain to install too. That just goes with the territory though. The outer most passenger side primary was TOUCHING the brake line that runs to the front right wheel. Consequently, I had to run a new brake line in its place, taking a different route. The steering shaft runs between the driver's side primaries on the other side of the engine bay. Clearances are so tight that I had to install solid motor mounts to ensure no problems. I'm really liking the solid motor mounts, so I'm glad I went that way. The trouble would turn some people away. They'd think it wasn't worth it, but I'm a big fan of longtubes, so I don't mind the extra headaches you go through installing them.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 24, 2012, 10:43:14 PM
Ok so now that I have them in and I'm not pissed off the clearance on these summit brand generic 302 long tubes isn't bad. In fact I shouldn't need solid motor mounts....will get them as insurance.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 24, 2012, 10:48:20 PM
I'll take pics tomorrow with the dual exhaust installed.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: bryan163 on February 25, 2012, 03:56:54 AM
cool. thanks.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 25, 2012, 08:46:47 PM
Sorry no pics yet...it's been cold as hell and I didn't get done till dark. Plus I still have clearance issues with the shifter that I have to figure out tomorrow. Started it up and she sounds good, a little loud but good. I also need to weld up the O2 bungs on the headers because they are block by a pipe on the inside so I had to weld my own bung on the x-pipe.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 27, 2012, 09:43:07 AM
Well burned through the starter cable yesterday...also have to adjust the tv linkage. I'm about ready to say to hell with it and find a t5!
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on February 27, 2012, 09:47:58 AM
I realize this is a day late and a dollar short, but I wrapped by long tubes. That prevents those sort of problems and really helps keep under hood temps down.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Shadow on February 27, 2012, 12:51:11 PM
also helps keeping the starter from getting heat-soaked
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 28, 2012, 07:12:13 AM
ah ....that would have been a good idea...lol
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 28, 2012, 09:32:57 AM
Well it wasn't the cable..pulled it out and it's fine. Tried to start in various gears....it starts in drive...wth!!! ugh I'm so sick of this , I should have just left the car alone and drove it till it died!
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Shadow on February 28, 2012, 02:18:20 PM
sounds like the neutral safety switch to me
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 28, 2012, 08:30:22 PM
yea it is the nss...now to drop the pan for the 3rd time.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Shadow on February 28, 2012, 08:44:37 PM
AODs.. lol C6's have them right on the side of the case :D
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 28, 2012, 10:08:29 PM
Tomorrow if all goes well(read that the NSS just twists in and out for adjustment) I'll have pics and a video up. Video will include before and after.
Just a warning, my exhaust before was pretty py. A previous owner had hodge podged and welded various pipes together after the cats. The cats got clogged so I gutted them, but the only way to get the exhaust out was either drop the axle or cut it. I cut it then welded it back together to come out the driver side just behind the door.
During the installation of the headers and x-pipe kit I needed to use some of my straight pipe to get the driver side x-pipe just right. So, for now the exhaust exits about half way between the front and rear axle, instead of just behind the doors. I'll be fixing that ASAP, and might get some lers.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on February 29, 2012, 08:57:01 PM
delayed due to rain...and linkage issues...again. I think I got it down this time.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on March 05, 2012, 07:25:46 PM
It's done!!! Pics and video will arrive sometime around Wednesday.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on March 15, 2012, 02:06:50 AM
Sorry it took so long to get those pics. I've been trying to figure out if my tv is stuck, out of adjustment or if my transmission is toast. It's toast. The starter cable issue has been dealt with. Also had a spark plug wire touching the header...fixed that by simply switching it so the end that usually goes on the distributor is on the plug.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on March 15, 2012, 02:09:56 AM
If you look closely in 57 you can see I had to do some surgery on the pan and the connection between the header and x-pipe for clearance.
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on March 15, 2012, 02:13:45 AM
oh and it wasn't the NSS. When flipping the arm for the shifter I inadvertently bumped the part that connects the shifter assembly into the valve body. The shifting issue was due to the tv arm getting pushed in and the internal piece was wedged between the valve body and the piston?....so yea now I need a new transmission...
Title: OMG long-tubes are a headache!
Post by: Nytedragon on March 15, 2012, 02:38:45 AM