fixing to pull the 302W out for "maintenance". anyone ever R&R'd their engine without removing the headers? yes. no. problems.
Are they long tube headers? What size tubes? Are your shock towers widened (modified)? Either way, it wouldn't hurt to try it, even if no one else has. Also, as you know, it shouldn't take long to unbuckle the headers if you have to. I couldn't put my particular engine and headers in at the same time, and I have my radiator support cut out (in an attempt to remove engine/tranny at same time - like one or two guys on here have done). Good luck and keep us posted. -Rick
John, Do you still have the original rad support in place (for forward clearance)? What headers are you runnnig (sorry, I guess I could search but I'm already typing and am afraid I'd lose this post - too)? I couldn't put mine in even with the mods to the shock towers - the headers would bind between the steering column and lower portion of the shock towers (non-modified area). Thanks, R
Only the good lord knows what header I have????? But, I had the car about 10 feet in the air and the hood removed. Radiator support is original. But it basically came straight up and then I lowered the car and got it out......it would have been ALOT easier to just remove the headers, but I was playing around last winter, with the OLD broke motor and just wanted to see if it would all come out at once. I would not do it this way again, but I did do it once.
Mine went in... My 302 with long tube headers went in with a little pushing and pulling. I will say that it was VERY tight. They scraped all of the way in until they passed the top of the shock towers. Good Luck. Country
