Header Install

[Concept156]

Hey, I am about to purchase JBA headers for my 1995 4.0L OHV, and I was wondering about the install. Would it be possible, given a long weekend, for me to install these headers on my own? I installed my intake and exhaust, so I do have a little experience mechanically, but for the most part, I am really wondering... does this install require me to pull my engine?

 

[CHH777]

No, you don't need to pull your motor to install headers. It's really not that hard to do but it's slow going.

Soak the exhaust manifold bolts with WD-40 the night before you start. Pull both tires and you can work from the wheel wells. Also, I bought a small butane torch (~$10) to heat the stubborn bolts.

 

[Concept156]

Thanks a lot for the advice, I will probably be doing them myself! I will write back when I get them in, which may be about a month or so...

 

[410Fortune]

Couple other important things

You can use high temp silicoln to seal them up nice and good, most of it will burn off but it helps.
Dont worry it will only smell funny for a hour or so.

I installed a 93 4.0L into my 88 BII, I'm not sure about the Explorer's but on my truck the JBA's were so close to the speedo cable that it melted! so if it's close you may want to do like I did and install some heat shielding.
I used a piece of high temp fuel line over the cable then made a simple metal guard and screwed it into the firewall to help out. So far so good.

Make sure you use lock washers on the y pipe where it connects to the collectors on both sides. JBA should give you all the right hardware but just make sure, or they will come loose. Locktite doesnt hurt either.


You will think your truck sounds funny with the headers, like a ticking noise. It's normal.
You may also feel a slight stumble in the motor at idle, this is also normal and is a trade off for the great performance of the headers. Dont forget to re-set the computer just to be safe.

There are also now some good VERY high temp header paints that actually last, you may want to look into that unless you have them coated.

Overall you will be VERY pleased with the JBA's. They are the toughest headers I have ever seen. Huge flange, like 5/8" I think, and VERY high quality construction. Not as rough as most headers....

Careful the JBA's also create a little dam around the spark plugs, so at the car wash if you spray the engine it could cause a miss because it will arch to the water and not the plug. Make sure you have good wires......

Also make sure you keep all wires (02's) and hoses tied well up out of the way, those baby's get hot!

You may also consider some extra shielding on the firewall, heaterbox, and floor, to keep the heat out of the cab. Header wrap is expensive but it really helps them flow and keeps them cool. It is much easier to install header wrap before bolting them on. Something to consider.

Hope that helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mike91]

With the torch - don't be careless and use the WD-40 at the same time... you don't want Hiroshima in your garage.

 

[Concept156]

Thanks a ton!!!!

 

[flyguy]

Hey... I have some chrome BBK headers on the way... they look pretty... but I also have some butt ugly exhaust wrap... should I wrap them or not? Do you think it would cut down on under the hood heat? Or would I be wasting my time.... hmmm


nick

 

[mike91]

Nick - the exhaust tape will be a definite improvement, but you will NEED to spray them with a high temp silicone sealant. This is due to the fact that after you start driving around, chemicals such as regular motor oil will eventually spill onto the header and with the tape you will be stuck with a horrible odor for about a month. The tape will definitely reduce undehood temperatures though.

 

[AaronE19]

echoing the earlier sentiment about the header tape... I drove without it for about three months, and believe me, your truck will SUFFER from the increased under-hood temps. I did the ghetto airbox mod & drilled holes in the bottom, which made things infinitely worse (people with KKMs or FIPKs will experience the same thing). I pulled the headers again last month to replace all the gaskets (blown), and slopped the insulating tape (by Thermotec) on at the same time. I kid you not, it gave me maybe 5 extra horses between cooling down the intake air temp and smoothing out the exhaust flow. thumbs up. the only possible downside is that the tape quiets the exhaust roar a bit ("roar" is a relatively loose term in this case).

some other misc. install comments: the high-temp RTV silicone comment that 410fortune made is right-on. one other thing to pay close attention to is the material your collector gaskets are made of. if they're paper, don't even bother installing them because you'll only have to climb under there again and replace them. use aluminum or copper and you'll be a lot happier. and be patient (not to mention, wear gloves) wiggling the Y-pipe into position, it's a tight squeeze.

my $.02, hope it helps you out.

Aaron

 

[flyguy]

Okay... so the tape is going on... poor chrome... I miss it already. anyways. With the sealant... what am I spraying again? Just the tape? So I wrap the headers and then seal the tape? Can I pick this up at any hardware store? Also... can I paint the tape? Hmmm..

nick

 

[SteveVB]

header wrap spray

Nick look at this site its got what you need,
http://www.martelbros.com/cgi-bin/ws400CS.cgi?category=deseng/dei.htm&cart_id=

Your looking for the HT silicone coatings, and yes spray the wrap.

good luck

 

[PunkChild]

So header wrap is a good thing? If I'm going to put the wrap on do i have to pull the headers? Also what happens if my stupid helper didn't put anti-seize on the header bolts?

 

[Alec]

My JBA's came with the ceramic coating. Both the installer and JBA say not to put tape on them, that it can be bad for them and void the warranty. I guess if you don't have the coating this doesn't apply? I've noticed that my new headers are actually a little cooler than the stock manifold, so I don't think I would need to do it, anyway.

 

[mike91]

Ceramic coating in itself is a wrap on the headers. No wrap is needed because the coating insulates the header and has the same effect.

 

[flyguy]

I shoulda got the coating. sigh. The installer put my headers on without the wrap. So that sucks for me. I guess I wont be able to put it on untill I do some more engine work.

nick

 

[AaronE19]

just FYI for everyone... you'll want to check out whether or not wrapping your headers voids the warranty. I have Hedman's, and I think it's stated in the warranty that insulating them does indeed void the warranty... but hey, they're headers. what could go wrong aside from flange warping, and I'm pretty sure the flanges were warped on those babies right out of the box.

Aaron

 

[flyguy]

True. I dont think you need to worry about the warranty. I did hear it does void it though.

nick

 

[imq707s]

Problem with header wrapping.

I've noticed a lot of people on this board are suggesting that it's a good idea to wrap your headers with the insulation wrap. Someone even mentioned that Heddman headers warranty is viod if they are wrapped. The reason the warranty is viod is because the way header wrap works. Yes it does cool down the engine compartment, but it does this by keeping all of that heat in the header and not allowing them to cool like they were designed to. I don't have any headers on my 97 explorer XLT but I know a bunch of people who have used the wrap on the headers for their street and drag cars. They have all said that the headers will eventually develop small pin holes in the tubes caused by the extreme tempereature that wrapped headers will reach. The rust that occurs on the headers is from the extreme temperature chages that they go through and the moisture that the header wrap traps. I know a guy who had holes in his hew headers after having them only a year. He had them wrapped in header tape. I have never heard of spraying sealer on the wrap to keep the water out, but this might solve all of the problems with moisture.

 

[mike91]

The sraying of the wrap is not so much for moisture, but if you ever spill motor oil or other fluid on a wrapped, but unsprayed header, you will be dealing with a bad odor for a couple weeks!

 

[CHH777]

Header wrap does not void warranty on Borlas. I investigated this thoroughly before shelling out the extra $$$ over other brands...