Header installation 340 r/t

[R/T 71]

I just finished the installation of Doug's headers on my 71 R/T 340. After spending some time assessing how to get it done, I realized that taking a few minutes to drop the drag link would be the best approach. Everything was wide open and made it a breeze to install them. Reattaching the steering components took mere minutes. I'm not a Mopar guy per se, but it sure seems like the easy way to do it. I installed the mini starter before tightening everything up. It's tight in there, but it fits. Doug's instructions are pretty vague, so I hope this little blurb might help someone down the line.

 

[SRKlegin]

I just finished the installation of Doug's headers on my 71 R/T 340. After spending some time assessing how to get it done, I realized that taking a few minutes to drop the drag link would be the best approach. Everything was wide open and made it a breeze to install them. Reattaching the steering components took mere minutes. I'm not a Mopar guy per se, but it sure seems like the easy way to do it. I installed the mini starter before tightening everything up. It's tight in there, but it fits. Doug's instructions are pretty vague, so I hope this little blurb might help someone down the line.

So...simply removing the center link was the trick? I spent a better part of yesterday wrestling with both sides....Never got it done...How did witness mark the center link or is it even needed to maintain current alignment? Thanks for the guidance!!!!!!

 

[Xcudame]

When removing and installing the center link, just be sure the tie rod assemblies don't turn and you golden alignment wise.

 

[SRKlegin]

When removing and installing the center link, just be sure the tie rod assemblies don't turn and you golden alignment wise.

Xcudame...
- Everything went in with a lot of pain without removing the center link, but they're in and they fit great.
-- A word to the wise: When installing these make sure that you install bolt studs on 1-Fwd; 7-Aft and 2-Fwd and 8-Aft.
-- If your headers won't position with the studs in, Use the bolts BUT Please Make sure that your bolts are installed WET.
-- Found that out yesterday during initial engine run. I thought for sure I had a leaking head gasket, but when my buddy was pulling the header back off, it was apparent that the bolt holes were spewing anti-freeze!!!!
-- Talked to my builder and he said simply use plumber's pipe thread brush on sealing compound...it worked like a champ.
- The next thing when installing Doug's: The block and/Transmission had to be clearance trimmed.
-- Not so much on LH side, But, quite a bit to clearance the RH side.
-- Bracket still retained enough stiffness where I did have to weld up a custom brace.