Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

When you need to change your standard AC Delco plugs. I had to unbolt the headers and loosen the collector flange bolts to make enough room to get a plug socket on there.

But its a good thing I did cause the stock gaskets were SHOT. Cracked in half I doubt I was sealing at all on #1, #7, #4, and #6.

#4 and #6 had the gasket bores ovaled completely. I don't even know how the hell they were flowing anything.

The motor is quiet as a mouse under the hood now.

sixpackmtrspts

what do you expect for a product made in mexico? their quality has gone downhill ever since they pulled production from their ontario ca facility and started manuf them in mexico.

ede

i suspect the problem is more your inability to figure out what tools to make or use rather than a problem with hooker headers. did you ever consider using a wrench instead of a socket?

blue86iroc

iTrader: (2)

Thirdgen89GTA, I can relate to what you're saying... the headers certainly aren't conducive to changing plugs, but there's only about three plugs that are tricky on my Super Comps. I bet it could be done, without having to remove the headers, using a crowfoot wrench or one of those spiffy GearRatchet keyed socket sets.

sixpackmtrspts, I don't think it's a question of quality than it is of design... it's not like the welds are full of holes . Fitting headers into a Thirdgen's engine compartment is going to be tough, especially if the header designers want to maintain equal-length tubes on either side. I'm surprised that the headers are as user-friendly as they are.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Perhaps your inability to make a decent post is pissing me off? Don't care if you are a moderator but I expect better from the people who are supposed to represent TGO. Rather an insult, you could suggest.

I do not have a 5/8th wrench with an offset end, nor do I care to really buy one when I can just unbolt the headers in 5 minutes of work. I only do plugs about once a year anyways so its not that much extra work.

I break them lose with the socket and turn them by hand, but that still requires getting a socket on there. the head of the plug is recessed between the head bolts and you'd need a wrench with an offset end to get in there. I don't have one, and probably won't buy one cause I don't do plug changes on the car that often.

firebirdjosh

iTrader: (1)

I bet all headers are going to block the plugs so you should think about that before saying a certain company's product sucks. Just get a wrench. You said yourself its only 5 more minutes of work AND you're gasket was shot so what's your complaint?

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

More the frustration, I expect headers to be more difficult than manifolds. They are pretty much designed with performance first and ease of maintenance somewhere down at the bottom of the list.

At least I don't have AIR tubes on it. Those would suck.

ede

if you can unbolt headers without any problems what are you bitching about, other than your own inability to do one of the easiest DYI jobs on your car? so back to your original post is it a PITA or not to change the plugs with headers?

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Last time I checked I did it. Without problems. And did a compression test along with a **** load of things.

So yeah, I can bitch. But that doesn't mean I didn't do it, or had major trouble with it.

Ever have something annoying and just want to vent? This is exacly what this post was about. I was venting.

_______________________________________

Do you have 2055 headers on a car with full AC and everything ede? #4 and #6 are a pain, the driver side is easy as pie.

I can get them without unbolting the headers, but its much quicker if I do. Which is why I had reusable gaskets on there. Though I only got a few uses out of them.

They burned out pretty good.

Guido

Ive had hooker headers on a thirdgen and it was never an issue to change plugs while the headers remained bolted to the engine. I dont believe that hooker headers lack in quality. Matter of fact, they are a superior design, IMO, to the rest of the mass marketed headers for our cars.

Black 91 Z28

I've never had a problem changing the plugs. Get a deep offset 5/8" wrench. Its not expensive and makes the job easier.

MrDude_1

2 things come to mind..

1... its easier and cheaper (no new gaskets needed) to buy the correct tool (in this case, a wrench)

2. looking at that pic, you needed to retighten your headers for awhile....... matter of fact, you said it was quieter underhood... meaning you could hear the headers leak... why didnt you fix that before you blew out the metal gaskets? you need to retorque the headers on a regular basis until they set...

Free Bird

iTrader: (1)

Depends more on the recess of the plug in the head. I can't use a deep offset, I have a set. Protopline couldn't give me a liiiiittle bit more room. Would've made things easier.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I have my nits with 2055's, which I have expressed often. Getting to the spark plugs is a hassle, a modified plug socket is the route I chose. I'll try to get a pic of it tonight (others have posted theirs).

Those aren't Hooker gaskets. The gaskets they supplied is one of the nits I had. Fel Pro 1404's lasted over 3-1/2 years for me, I've got Mr. Gasket premiums (look the same as the Fel Pros) for the next install.

I've never heard that Hooker moved production to Mexico. Holley bought them out several years ago. I've had mine since 2001, which was after the letterhead change.

The only other problem I've heard of with 2055's is the drop of the y-pipe. Not everyone has had that problem, and that's got nothing to do with your situation. Overall, Hooker quality is the best reported on this board.

I've heard a lot of problems with ACS, however.

The purpose of this Board is to share technical information between 3rd gen owners, not as a place to vent. Since the technical issue is addressed, no further action is required as long as anything that follows is of proper technical content.

ede

my "special tool" is a spark plug socket i shortened in my lathe and then drilled thru for the plug to fit and use a wrench on the hex, if i can't just use a wrench. another neat tool i have from snap on is a flex spark plug socket built into an extension.

Toomanyhobbys

Isn't this the part in the story, where owning a hot rod means you have to pay more attention it.

I think there is a trade off here. Headers for more power and a nice sounding car or manifolds for ease of maintenance.

3.8TransAM

The amazing part of the story that I see here is the simple fact that every set of headers made for our cars is **** poor quality.

Our cars are tight, but not so tight someone with a brain who works on them too could actually make a set that will seal to the head with minimal amounts of grief and allow access to the plugs still. Why is that so hard to expect?

SLP, Edelbrock, Hooker, I've used, installed, been around them all and they all have issues, even the same part numbers on otherwise virgin cars. I will also say the Percy's gaskets suck, no one I know of has had any luck with them. Fel pro has been my best bet in that regard.(yes this includes religiously retorquing them after install and heat cycling)

Wish someone made an affordable alternative like a Pontiac Super Duty exhaust manifold or something, it would seal and allow for better flow.

later
Jeremy

firebird45331

i have junk headers. I have flowtech. I don't think they leak yet, but I only have trouble accessing one plug it's either 3 or 5 I have to use a wrench on.

anondude13

http://www.slponline.com/view_produc...02&BIG=30102-1

dual_88s

Have a 'special tool' for plugs 2,4,6,8...also use it on 1,3,5,7 sometimes.

Yes changing the plugs can be a real PITA but how often do you really do it.

To get to 6 and 8, I usually get them from underneath....the rest from up top.


OH yeah BTW I have Hooker 2055's. Yes, they do work loose, but from what I hear that is a commonality on all headers unless you get those special self locking bolts....

In fact, just recently was working on the car and pulled the Y-pipe thinking I had a leak at the collectors. Found out it was really on the header bolts around #8. The one closest to the firewall was finger loose and the one between 6 and 8 was G O N E. So I had massive exhaust leaks.

Tightened all bolts and amazed at how quiet it got....

dual_88s

TTT

ede

try safety wire, the bolts won't work out with it

rjmcgee

With angle plug heads I only have to use a modified socket on one with Headman shorties.

Also, I have had Percey gaskets on for about a year now with no problems. Also used stage 8 locking header bolts so I have never had them come loose

SSC

Nice tool! I just grabed a cheapo crapsmens 5/8 wrench cut the open end off and made a few bends to fix the 2055 blues. I need to make another one I cant seem to find it.