[SouthernLion]

I have a mechanic that's a friend and willing to install my new headers once I get them for free. When talking about how he has replaced a couple of other Titan headers in the past, he spurred a couple questions in my mind that I haven't found the answer to yet.

1. He said he just gets all the studs out to aid in getting the headers to come out. I don't think I have seen anyone else on here do that intentionally.

2. He said the heat shields have to be removed and cannot be put back on with the new headers. They won't fit. Is this the case?

 

[Blackbeauty]

If you remove the head studs, yes, it is easier to slide the headers out as you don't need to move them very far from the head to do so... If the studs are in the way, you need everything about 1.5-1.75 inches away. Sometimes, you just don't have that much room... You will also need to loosen the motor mounts and jack up the engine... not remove it... and don't take the bolts all the way out... just give yourself room to jack the engine a few inches for access.

The heat shields cover the manifolds. If you are installing headers, they will not fit as they aren't shaped the same and they are riveted to the manifolds, IIRC. Smart move is to ceramic coat the headers so you don't need the rattle shields anyway.


Note to installer: Get a set of studs and nuts... not all will be reusable... trust those of us who have done it on this one... no matter how careful you are, not all will survive removal.

 

[LaxDfns15]

Like stated, you don't need to remove the studs. I didn't remove any studs or have them come out and was able to pull my manifolds and replace with headers. Helps with 2 people as we had one in the wheel well and one under the truck to maneuver them.

Cannot re-use heat shields as they're bolted to the manifold. I was not intending to re-use my manifolds and the bolts were rusted tight on mine so I cut the heat shields off in a bunch of pieces with tin snips.

 

[HRTKD]

My heat shields came off by removing the 3 (or 4?) bolts that hold them to the manifolds. But my manifolds were only about a year old so they may not have had time to completely rust weld the heat shield bolts to the manifolds.

 

[SouthernLion]

I did order the ceramic coated, so it sounds like that should compensate for losing the heat shields.

 

[TheHops]

I have a mechanic that's a friend and willing to install my new headers once I get them for free. When talking about how he has replaced a couple of other Titan headers in the past, he spurred a couple questions in my mind that I haven't found the answer to yet.

1. He said he just gets all the studs out to aid in getting the headers to come out. I don't think I have seen anyone else on here do that intentionally.

2. He said the heat shields have to be removed and cannot be put back on with the new headers. They won't fit. Is this the case?

First off, I hate you for having a mechanic be able to help you for free. Quite jealous. My hands and wrists are still scabbed up from my install.

Secondly, the studs can be removed so if he can do it safely then I see no issue. As far as the heat shields, they're not compatible (or even necessary) with the new headers, so aside from trying to resell them with the stock manifolds there's really no reason to salvage them. I think new OEM heatshields go for about $60 or so new, so worst case you'd be looking at taking maybe a $30 hit or so on reselling them.

 

[nightowl]

I would not remove any studs as the heads are aluminum and the studs are steel. Your asking for trouble with pulled threads if you do and there is not enough room to helicoil the head if that happens. I would leave the studs alone as the job can be done with out risking a nightmare.......been there done that man.

 

[SouthernLion]

Anyone have a part number for the studs and nuts and know how many I should get? Can anyone also tell me which gaskets I need? I'll probably go by the dealership tomorrow.

 

[SouthernLion]

I think I found the gaskets. I think I need two manifold gaskets, part #14036-7S001.

 

[rambob]

I think I found the gaskets. I think I need two manifold gaskets, part #14036-7S001.

yes, # 14036-7s001 according to cajuns website.
they also mention four bpipes gaskets #20692-65j00
but you may already have them as I see you have cajun b pipes