Remove Aftermarket Side Exhaust (1970 LS-5)

[Monte M.]

I just bought a 1971 LS-5 that has Hooker side exhaust pipes on it. The car is pretty much original and came with all the original parts to put it back to factory. Except the exhaust pipes itself and the rubber hoses for the smog.

I have taken a good look to see what it might in-tale to switch it back to stock. The rear valance area will not be a problem because they just glassed in where the exhaust bezel was. Carefully cutting that out should be all that is needed there.

Under the egg crates side vent is another issue in itself. At least the only area that was trimmed was behind the rocker panel. I picked up some used fender panels that I can cut the needed pieces off to glass into place. The splash shields should help locate these. It does not look all that difficult, so, I think......

The real question I have is: what is it going to take to get the 4 to 1 header part out from underneath the car. I assume I will have to loosen the motor mounts and raise the engine. I am thinking the car might have to be raised a bit too.

Has anybody put these on or taken them off that can give me a few pointers on how difficult they might be to get out?
Is there anything I have missed that might cause me trouble?

I already have a new exhaust system. They even saved the old exhaust tips because they were in such good shape. They left the trans hanger and a few of the other hanger where they originally. I have everything I need as far as hangers go.

Any help or input would be appreciated. Hopefully to save me a few headaches once I get in the middle of this.
This is a minor project that I hope stays that way.

Thanks,

Monte

[Patrick B.]

Re: Remove Aftermarket Side Exhaust (1970 LS-5)

I have installed and removed Hooker side exhausts from both 69 and 70 big blocks in the distant past, and I have no memory of it being particularly hard. I think I just put the car pretty high on jack stands, removed the spark plugs and the clutch bellcrank, and just worked them down. I'm pretty sure I didn't raise the engine, and the headers may have actually come out from the top rather than the bottom.

[Monte M.]

Re: Remove Aftermarket Side Exhaust (1971 LS-5)

Patrick,
Thanks for the input. This car has power brakes and air-conditioning. I could remove the A/C compressor or just pull it out of the way, but from what I can see there is no way the pipes are going to come out through the top.

I am hoping with a few measurements I will get an idea how high the car will have to go, but I know it is guesstimating at best. Maybe another member has done a set more recent that might be able to help too.

Monte

[Patrick B.]

Re: Remove Aftermarket Side Exhaust (1971 LS-5)

Monte--- My cars had niether PB or AC so my situation was much simpler.

[Kevin G.]

Re: Remove Aftermarket Side Exhaust (1971 LS-5)

Monte,

If you're not interested in keeping the headers why not just cut/sawzaw them off. I think only the drivers side has the one pipe over the Z bar?

Where the rocker moldings notched out for clearance?

[Monte M.]

Re: Remove Aftermarket Side Exhaust (1971 LS-5)

Kevin,
I don't mind having to take a few parts off the car. I am just finishing up a restoration on another one, so taking the time to take a few parts off the car to get them out of the way is not really an issue.

And, there is another member building a resto-mod that wants them. The fact that they are in excellent condition had a big part in me trying to keep them in good condition for the next owner.

If they were black headers, you bet, the saws-all would have been the tool of the day. I appreciate the idea though.

Monte