I bought some shorty headers for my 5.3 4x4, and was hoping to install them myself to save some cash. My truck is six years old and has 123K miles on the clock. Is this something I should attemp, or should I pay to have it done? If I do it myself, I plan on spraying the bolts with penetrating lubicant. I know I need to buy header gaskets and probably some new bolts. I'll have to buy a torque wrench, also. Is there anything else? I have all of the other basic hand tools. I have all weekend to do it. I've never installed headers before, and I imagine those bolts won't come out to easily….

Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!!!

 

There is a thread in this exact forum by Soon2bSpooled where I think you will find all of your answers...

 

i installed long tubes myself in about 4 or 5 hours. shorties will be much easier, because you dont have to take all of your exhaust off. it wouldnt hurt to spray the bolts with some penetrating lube. some people have had the bolts break, so be careful. if the bolts still look good, then you can reuse them. i reused mine with 103,000 miles on them, and no problems whatsoever. im sure some people will chime in and tell you to return those lil' shorties and buy some longtubes. you will get much more out of them over shorties. it sholdnt take longer than 2-3 hours to complete the whole job. good luck.