Got longtube pacesetters. Just changed the exhaust manifold gasket cause old one was leaking. I’m using the bolts that were supplied with my pacesetters and can’t get the very last one in on the driver side by the firewall. I’m having to put an extreme amount of torque on it to even tighten it. And with the tools I have I can’t get a socket on there cause it hits the header. Wtf do I do? All the other ones I can basically snug up with my finger except this last one? Can I drive it like that? Also I backed off all the other bolts hoping the back one would go in easier. It’s not happening.

 

Sounds like the hole is misaligned on the gasket?

 

Did you chase the threads in the head before inserting the bolt? From the picture the bolt isn’t straight, probably cross-threaded now. Or the hole in the header flange may need to be opened up a bit.

You shouldn’t run without a header bolt being tight. The exhaust will pull (educt) air into the leak and screw up the O2 sensor readings, causing that bank of the engine to run rich. In the case of a severe leak, reversion can cause a burned exhaust valve.

 

Thanks for the insight. I took it to a shop and they replaced the gasket and got the bolt in there correctly. Man headers sure are a pain on these cars. No room for anything.