How to detach header from motor

[Miller333]

Hello,

We have been working to get the steering box out of 1969 charger. Steering column is pushed back out of way. All left suspension is removed, torsion bars are taken out and the lh headman header is unbolted from the head and the rest of the exhaust. However the headman header is stuck on the studs on the head and I can't get it to break free. The though was to get it off to make clearance for steering box removal. Does anyone have a tip on how to get the header off?

If at all possible can knowledgeable people reply back quickly as I only have today to work on car (took job downstate and car is still up state). Thanks so much in advance!
Miller

 

[khryslerkid]

You might have to get the starter loose also. Get that out of the way and the header should come out from the top with the engine raised on that side. Also you have the steering shaft out of the way, that should really help. Sometimes they like to come out from underneath but you need plenty of ground clearance.

 

[Miller333]

But what's odd to me is I can't even get it free from the head, I'm not sure if there is just a lot of suction from the gasket or something else I am missing. And once I get that I can't rotate it enough to get it past the studs, do people typically remove the studs to get the header out?

 

[Miller333]

Image of current header condition

 

[miller]

do people typically remove the studs to get the header out?

No. Did you get the header broke loose? If not, try some kind of pry bar, and 'gently' pull against it. (Make SURE you have all the nuts/bolts off, first!)
Motor broke loose. Do you have the nuts/washers off, at the bottom side of the mount pads? If so, motor should be free.
Most of the time, to get headers in, or out, motor needs to be raised a few inches, so the headers will clear. Or, pull motor/trans with 'em loosely in place.

 

[Miller333]

This is the bolt I took out of the motor mount, and it wouldn't lift, is there a different bolt I should remove?

 

[miller]

Big block, or small? Not the mount type I was thinking...figures.
It should be free. Might take ye old pry bar there, too, to get it to come loose. Those metal mounts are a little harder to play with.

 

[Miller333]

Big block 440, if we would have kept the 318 in it this would have been easy!

 

[miller]

If you have the trans mount loose, cross member down, and trans low, it can put the motor mounts in a bind.
But, as mentioned, be sure everything else is loose, or clear. Should get the motor mounts separated, before you lower the trans very much, on that type mount.

 

[Daves69]

FWIW, Two threads running on this issue.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...tor-motor-stuck-in-car.130142/#post-910665187

oops three........
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...t-can-not-get-steering-box-out-of-car.130141/