MURPHY'S LAW
So i got new header and collector gaskets and a new set of ARP header bolts. One of the reasons I enjoy working on my motor is that its pretty basic. 350 no A/C or heater lines pretty much wide open and easy to work on. I started on the pass side with no issues, was actually surprised at how easy it went. Drivers side really wasn't to bad either. The back 2 header bolts were a little arm twisty to get in. Farthest back one was the easier of the 2 so i put that one in first. All other bolts are in and started. So here we are the last bolt. So what do you think happens? I dropped it!! So the first picture of the header where all 4 tube come together is where it slid. No big deal, got my extend-O magnet out slid it down between the pipes and nothing!! Got the mini mag light out to see what the hell. I can touch the top of the bolt but it ain't budging. I take the tire off so i can get a better look. The bolt is upside down with the washer on the bolt wedged in the pipes!! Nothing I do is helping at all, grab the threads with pincher nose, pick at it with a pick tool, nothing, it is not coming out! So now i have to take the header off to fish out what I remind you was the last bolt on what was an easy job. So off with all the bolts, no biggie I just put them in, got them right back out. The header on this side is a little tight with the steering column and needs a little of the i'm getting a little impatient wiggling to get it out. So you see the bright light in the middle of the 2nd picture, well that is my mini mag that fell off the frame during the impatient wiggling. GUESS WHERE IT WENT? That's right! Right down the open exhaust pipe!!!! What are the odds? And of course its just out of reach. I would say the people 2 streets over heard the F bomb that came out of my mouth. So I get to take down the exhaust pipes to the mufflers to slide my mini mag out! I hope you all enjoy a laugh at my pain. I am.
View attachment 144156
So i got new header and collector gaskets and a new set of ARP header bolts. One of the reasons I enjoy working on my motor is that its pretty basic. 350 no A/C or heater lines pretty much wide open and easy to work on. I started on the pass side with no issues, was actually surprised at how easy it went. Drivers side really wasn't to bad either. The back 2 header bolts were a little arm twisty to get in. Farthest back one was the easier of the 2 so i put that one in first. All other bolts are in and started. So here we are the last bolt. So what do you think happens? I dropped it!! So the first picture of the header where all 4 tube come together is where it slid. No big deal, got my extend-O magnet out slid it down between the pipes and nothing!! Got the mini mag light out to see what the hell. I can touch the top of the bolt but it ain't budging. I take the tire off so i can get a better look. The bolt is upside down with the washer on the bolt wedged in the pipes!! Nothing I do is helping at all, grab the threads with pincher nose, pick at it with a pick tool, nothing, it is not coming out! So now i have to take the header off to fish out what I remind you was the last bolt on what was an easy job. So off with all the bolts, no biggie I just put them in, got them right back out. The header on this side is a little tight with the steering column and needs a little of the i'm getting a little impatient wiggling to get it out. So you see the bright light in the middle of the 2nd picture, well that is my mini mag that fell off the frame during the impatient wiggling. GUESS WHERE IT WENT? That's right! Right down the open exhaust pipe!!!! What are the odds? And of course its just out of reach. I would say the people 2 streets over heard the F bomb that came out of my mouth. So I get to take down the exhaust pipes to the mufflers to slide my mini mag out! I hope you all enjoy a laugh at my pain. I am.
View attachment 144156