Tried the 12 points with no success. I'm really having a bad time here guys.. I'm out of ideas.



Posted from Camaroz28.com App for Android

 

Is the bolt against the flange? If not try to tighten those ones first(having all of them started) til at the flange. If the wrench is hitting the tube of the header not allowing wrench to slip over head then grind that section of the wrench down. Be careful not to take too much or it will break when torqueing the bolts down. Try a couple different wrenches too. Different wrench offsets may help too. If you didnt use antisieze on the bolts pull them and use it too. Again be sure you have those bolts against the flange and that may require loosening other bolts. Note how close head of bolt is to header tube also. If you dont have an 1/8 or so clearance then you may need a" dent" in header tube. Good luck.

 

Is it not being able to get wrench on the head or is it access with wrench?

 

Access with the wrench. I will take some pictures tomorrow of what I'm working with. I thought the hardest part was going to be getting the old manifold out... How silly I was to think that. I'm getting so discouraged over this it's unbelievable. I guess to explain better the tube is right beside the bolt. Then as it comes out it cuts directly across the front of the bolt. The flange to the cat is directly underneath. As far as turning the wrench, I believe different offsets will help. There is room to turn from the top but the bolt ends up in a position I can't get to with the wrench. I bought a set of ratchet wrenches but even with the 5/16 head there's no way to fit the ratchet end on the bolt with the tube there.. Thank y'all so much for the help thus far.



Posted from Camaroz28.com App for Android

 

Dang short tubes lol. So you can get the wrench on the bolt head but cant get enough turning radius to get another bite? Try to get a couple of offset wrenches and compare your wrench to other brands and you may find another with a little variance that you can bite and spin one wrench then grab the other for the next bite and keep alternating. Sometimes spinning a wrench can get a bite. I assume probably no chance of a socket getting on it. Not sure but possibly cutting a wrench into a little stubby thing might get you further or grinding some were wrench hits the header tube. Another consideration is they do make bolts with an allen hole in the bolt head. Perhaps that might suit you better. I am really starting to like my cooks better because they gave me room and good fitment too. Shoot I might get creative and cut the box end of a wrench off and then weld something on it that I could spin or get a different tool on(like a sink basin wrench) or allen wrench.

 

I would use a long extension, a swivel and a battery impact...or a long extension with a (as we called them, warbled socket end) snap on sells em, so does craftsman...its how we used to tighten down exhaust manifold bolts at Nissan...

In a pinch...offset wrenches, or get an old crappy wrench and cut it n half...

Had to do that on my old 82 ta with long tubes...the #7 back bolt was a pita...couldn't clear the fire wall...