Manifold to Header questions

[HTX86chevy]

IM pulling the stock manifolds and putting some headers on.... just a few questions..... in the pics that im posting do I need the little pump/flap mechanism that is just above the donut and what about the tube thats also circled? the headers do not have spots for these items to be installed.
this is from the passanger side of my 86 350 shortbed.

also, on the driverside there appears to be an oxygen sensor screwed in just above the donut, what do i do about that?

[Dalaigh]

You, don't need the flap, most of those have stop working by now anyway.

[80chevyshortbox]

yea it looks like a factory thing, i added headers to my 350 and i just bolted them right up never had to add any thing like that. good luck

[wyattglock]

The tube is likely an emissions control tube of some sort, not needed for your truck to run. The valve looks like a heat riser tube. Only important if you want your choke to shut off quickly. But once the engine gets heat in it the choke will shut off anyway.

[HTX86chevy]

what are your thoughts on the oxygen sensor? its on the driver side manifold just above the donut. do i need it? will it hurt anything if i get rid of it?

[Dalaigh]

I don't know much about your truck, and don't know if its stock, so I'll ask is it fuel injected or carbed?

[lilpoindexter]

If it has factory fuel injection you need the o2 sensor..if the FI has been ripped out, and an aftermarket carb installed, the o2 sensor was only being used to plug the hole in the manifold

[HTX86chevy]

as far as I know, its all bone stock. Is there a way for me to find out if it Fuel injected.. The carb that I have is a quadjrajet , but it also has small electronic parts plugged in..... Im guessing for elect. choke and all that good stuff. If it were to be factory fuel injected, I would love to just ditch the carb and get it running the way the factory intended, but I doubt that it it fuel inj.

[Dalaigh]

Easy way, to know if you have an FI motor or carbed is the style of valve cover you have. do you have the parimeter bolts or center bolts that hold the valve cover on? If you have center bolts you likely had FI, if you have parimeter bolts it was carbed. Of coarse, thats if the engine is stock. Because yours is an 86 I'm going to go with carbed, though I'm not sure why it's got an o2 sensor, unless at some point the manifold cracked and someone got a used 87+ manifold.

Where does the o2 sensor wire go? was it hooked up to something or just cut?

[HTX86chevy]

here is a pic of the valve covers. A lil messy but you can kind of see the bolts. the other pic is of the manifold w/ the o2 sensor. I can trace it behind the motor just above the tranny and it connects back there but I cant see to what!?

[Dalaigh]

ok, I'm guessing that with the charcoal canister and smog pump, your truck has the o2 sensor to help with the emissions controls, if you need the emissions stuff in your state then you need to keep it, if you don't then you can remove it, along with the smog pump. But, I'd keep the charcoal canister, stops the random smell of gas you get every so often from old trucks.

[HTX86chevy]

ok, so basically youre saying that the o2 sensor isnt necessary correct? I dont think we need the emissions crap here in TX. my last inspection was only safety.

[Dalaigh]

I'd put the headers on, leave the o2 sensor hook ups there, and drive the truc. If you notice something is wrong take the truck to an exhaust shop and have them weld, or do it your self if you can weld, a bung in for the o2 sensor. I'd even put it in the exhaust pipe lower down in an easy to get at spot. But, I don't think you'll need it.

[HTX86chevy]

thats a pretty good idea, thanks for all your help buddy.

[Dalaigh]

your welcome, thats what this sites for after all