Hopefully these pics come out.

Here's the stock setup with the driver side head out of the way:


Here's with the crossover cut and the downpipe drilled with a 2" holesaw:


Trial fit of 2" elbow after cutting and coping:


And welded up ready to bolt on the head:


I pulled a real dumbhead move bolting the head on last night. I failed to put the gasket on the exhaust downpipe before bolting it up. Now I get to attempt to move the downpipe with the old crossover welded in place out of the way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> I did find out it is possible to remove the nuts from the header, albeit a PITA, but the header won't come off with the downpipe there <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> I'm hoping to keep myself from buying a new headgasket and set of bolts, and am kicking myself for my haste <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

Pull the studs out of the exhaust manifold, loosen the passenger side at the exhaust manifold, and loosen up the rest of the system past the muffler. Pry the head pipe away from the manifold. Slip the gasket into place. Screw the studs through the flange and tighten it all back up. No need to pull the head again.

Good idea what you did but I would have slopped it in instead of going straight in, making for a smoother flow

I think it is angled in at least 45 degrees since that's about what the downpipe is at. Good idea on the setup, I think the only thing I might do different if I went that route would be to put a larger downpipe in since all the stock piping is undersized. I'd go with 2-1/2 or at least 2-1/4" for the downpipe and the rest of the way out the back.

If I had the time, I'd replace the rest of the exhaust system. Hopefully I can get it all bolted back up and running this weekend.

I know my mod isn't ideal, but it's an improvement over stock. My primary goal is longevity of the engine, and hence keeping the rear valves cooler, specially #5. If I pick up a few ponies, that's an extra bonus. I figure the main improvement will be the o/s valves, and the slightly higher compression with the decked rebuilt heads.

The nice thing about pulling the heads is that the bores look great, nice cross hatch. Also the heads had no sludge and the cams look like new, so the 3k oil changes (10-40 summer, 5-30 winter) seem to be doing to trick.