After a whole day of taking stuff out of the car to get the stock manifolds out, we encounter a problem, the lower center nut.


We can only get it finger tight. If you try to get ANY tool to tighten it, the tool doesn't fit. It hits the runners. Has any one else had this problem? How can I get around this problem?

Thanks in advance

 

Thanks for the photo.

a. Can you shorten the threaded part giving you more room to work?
b. The nut has a big head for a tight fit. Can you pick a nut without a head, One that will allow a socket to fit over the entire nut.
c. Deep sockets are popular. Can you use a shallow socket?


d. Last resort: What about a basin wrench?

 

Get a 14mm ratchet wrench, a long one!

 

IIRC, some of those I had to use a box-end wrench...I'd have to tighten it every 1/8 turn, then reposition the wrench - a PITA, but it worked for me.

 

Well I can't get any type of socket on there because the header runner goes right over it. I can fit a open wrench on it, but It is too fat to turn, it hit the runner. We went to Sears and got an offset box wrench but it is a 12 point. So lets hope it doesn't strip it.

 

When I installed mine there was a couple nuts that I could only use an open end wrench to turn. Attach wrench, turn about 1/8th of a turn, remove wrench and start over. It took a long time! I had ratchet wrenches but if I remember correctly they didn't fit on a couple of the nuts so I had to use an open end wrench.

Installing headers is not fun but take your time and you will get it done. Every time you start getting aggravated just take a break and have another beer! While your drinking the beer you can put fresh bandades on your bleeding knuckles.

 

with an open wrench, I can't even turn it a hair. So I'm going to try this offseted box wrench with a thin wall tomorrow.

 

My mechanic just installed crawford headers on my Z, he mentioned something about having to cut a stud or something, to make it short enough so he could get it in there or something. I don't know the details, but it sounds like what you're describing.

 

when i had my headers installed, they had to make a custom ratchet to reach down in there. They bent the end so it was angled better, and strapped 2-3 extensions on it. They said it was a *****.

 

reaching is not the problem, plenty of room. getting the tool to either fit on the nut and turn it without hitting the header is the problem. I'm going to try this thin walled box wrench today and see what happens.