I'm in the process of taking my heads off and I'm having trouble with one of the exhaust manifold bolts, I think its the 4th one in from the front on the driver side manifold. The heat shield seems to be in my way and I tried to use a swivel on my ratchet and I still couldn't get it. So I want to remove the heat shield and scrap it on both manifolds, I figure headers don't have a heat shield and I know enough to keep wires away from the manifold so should I be ok in doing without those damn things? I'm in the process of doing them right now so the sooner I get some responses the better, thanks

Myles

 

You should be able to get that bolt from the bottom. If you can't and need to scrap the heat shields. I don't see why you couldn't. Just do like you said and keep them away from the heat. But try to get it from underneath first.

 

I took off my manifolds, then took off the heat shields.Had to grind off the rivets. Hope to put the manifolds back on car and then safety wire the shields back in place.
This way, can get to the bolts and plugs first.....I will know next week..going for a dry run on putting my heads back on. anyone else tried it?
frank

 

The heat shield should not keep you from getting to the bolts. My exhaust manifolds have been on and off and still have the shields.

 

Ditto. I've had stock manifolds off many times(when I had them) and never had any trouble. As mentioned before, you may need to get at them from the bottom of the car.

I'm also assuming that your y-pipe is removed from manifolds...if not remove it.