On the driver's side header->y-pipe colletor, how do you get the back bolt?

The outer bolt, I got fine with an 18mm wrench.. but the inner bolt - the one close to the oil pan and behind the collector tube, is impossible to get to! I've trued a u-joint/swivel on an 18mm socket, angled 18mm wrench, breaker bar/swivel on the 18mm socket..

I can't get to it, and I have a ticking exhaust leak from that exact area.

how did you guys get to yours? is this a common problem?

Thanks

 

You should be able to get to it with a universal joint. I can get on mine with a uni joint without too much trouble.

 

thanks for the reply, blownbird!

I have a short 18mm socket with a u-joint and a long extension after that.. I can get it slipped on, but the u-joint is bent so sharply that its impossible to turn...

 

It helps if you use a air gun.( if you have access to one). Make sure you go and tighten those bolts down every once and a while. Mine back off all the time.

 

the flange should be able to rotate so you need to rotate it enough to be able to tighten it. it's only 2 bolts right?

 

grygst76: yeah, its only two bolts - but the flange on the header is spot welded and won't rotate to swing the bolts out

I managed to get a socket wrench on there by using a "stubby socket" with a 3.5" handle.. but I get almost no torque/leverage this way and was only able to tighten the nut maybe 1 turn. The exhaust leak now ticks only after the car warms up.. probably because the pipes expand, I guess.

I guess i'l see what else I can do with that stubby socket, haha..

 

I have a 94 with 97 MAC headers and the slip does rotate so you can tighten it. Maybe if you break the spot weld (CAREFULLY!!) you can swing it enough to tighten it?? Or the extreme way is loosen it from the head and then tighten it then bolt it back to the head..Exhaust leaks are a real pain in the *** because it makes your car sound like shiznit I know...I had a terrible leak and the car sounded like a time bomb!!

 

grygst76, thanks for the advice.

I've thought about breaking the spot welds, but I chickened out. Besides, that involves removing the header from the head. what a pain, haha.

and yeah, exhaust leaks suck! Makes my car sound like ****, hisses under load, and makes my car bog like no other.

Ah, looking forward to fixing this leak. I don't know why people like MAC headers so much, I think its a pretty bad design! The plug access is great, but.. that's about it for me