Headers vs starter

When putting in this 302 is it easier for me to do so with starter off or on when using long tube headers? Will be hooker headers. 1901 iirc. Trying to limit the frustration that may or may not be coming my way.

Any other trial and error advice is also welcome. Will be doing this tomorrow or Sunday it looks like.

Also, will this be easier and less frustrating to put engine and trans in together or seperatly? I have no lift...only jack stands to work from underneath. Ty

 

I don't think the engine can be installed from under car(I've never done so with any V8). When you're ready to install rent a cherry picker, then install engine and trans as unit. Starter bolts to transmission, can be installed with the combo but may be easier to install headers with starter removed.

 

Lol I didnt explain well. I meant as you said...I stalling all as a unit from above with a cherry picker. I own one so I'm good on that. In my old truck I insralled as a unit with easy. Just never done so in a small car yet.

 

The header should slide in with the starter installed. You can do the eng/trans together but it’s pretty tight getting the harmonic balancer past the top of the core support.

 

Life would be easier with stock manifolds. That engine won't benefit much from headers anyway at that power level. Headers suck in these cars.

 

its more about sound for me at this point. i love how a set of headers sound.

 

The headers will work just fine on your 347 down the road when it gets done. Do yourself a favor and get a high torque mini starter, lots more clearance from the header so less heat on starter

 

They are lighter and I think quite a bit easier to install too. My "rebuilt" parts store starter was so short-lived I got a decent looking mini from the junkyard and was very happy with it.

 

That is why you get the lifetime warranty one. I think I am on #3 now in 7 years?

 

lol....I think a contributing factor to the demise of my old style starter was my faulty, flooding Holley (which got swapped out too) that would stall my engine at random in horrible places, and required lots of cranking to get started again. I think the mini shaves of 8 to 10 pounds and the electrical connection doesnt get cooked by the header tubes......... which seem to obstruct almost everything known to man down in there.

 

Ill get the mini asap. Maybe next payday.

As for the heat, ill use that area to start a pot roast for dinner after each day driving home.

 

On my car with Hooker 6901's I found it easiest to install them while the engine is hanging a few inches above the mounts and can be moved from side to side a little. From underneath install the driver's side header first so it clears the steering box then the passenger side header slips right in even with the starter installed. Lower the engine and bolt it in.

 

Trans bolted to engine as well or does it matter?

 

Doesn't matter.

 

I just put a jack on oil pan (with board across it as to not bend it) unhook driver side motor mount bolt ( the long one that goes through frame stand) and jack motor up a little and then the header in it will fit in but takes a little bit of wiggling and head scratching but it will go, then let it back down and put bolt back in and go to passenger side and just put the header in, no need to jack it up. Hooker 6901s as well. Done it this way several times, I will say that it probably doesnt hurt to jack up both sides but just have never needed to.