Tools for manifold removal?

[STE VR]

As the title really, can anybody advise on any handy/special tools that make life easier on removing the two manifolds before I take on the task this weekend?

[chrispitman]

Buy a couple of cheap spanners (cant remember size) then you can bend them to get better access.

I fitted a set of ARP bolts, they are much harder material and have a smaller head making it eaiser to get a spanner on, most can be done with a ratchet spanner now.

[rev-erend]

Regular ring spanners and a flat drive socket set.

Best advice is to loosen 1/4 turn each bolt .. then completely remove any akward access bolts,, then the easy ones.

Replace old bolts with the much nicer ARP bolts :
http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=222

[RumbleBee]

Best thing I got for it was a reducer bit for my ratchet, so that I can use a tiny ratchet in a 3/8" socket. The little ratchet fits in ok, but the bolt size is usually larger socket.

[dogbucket]

I am a tool addict so used these 3 babies. got all the bolts out from above.



Snap-on flankdrive plus 14mm SOEXM14 combination wrench - Open end has serrations that grip, not sure any other manufacturers make anything as good really

Snap-on 4 Way Angle Head VSM5214B - good for the lower front one where an open ended is needed

Facom straight ring spanner 59.14x15 - for the other lower ones particularly the back 2.

Edited by dogbucket on Wednesday 23 September 10:37

[lewis_sharman]

rev-erend said:

Regular ring spanners and a flat drive socket set.

Best advice is to loosen 1/4 turn each bolt .. then completely remove any akward access bolts,, then the easy ones.

Replace old bolts with the much nicer ARP bolts :
http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=222

What size threads are these bolts? I can get stainless high tensile bolts from a certain source

[spend]

Best tool by far, is the old grey matter and realization that if the manifold is blowing continually tightening the bolts is only going to cause more problems

Clean the threads out in the head, copper slip the bolts, torque them up properly and in the future you are unlikely to have any of the nightmares so often described on here..

Just be aware on some manifolds a couple of the bolts don't come out very far as they are kept captive and only have room to be undone as the manifold is loosened away from the head.

[Simon Says]

lewis_sharman said:

rev-erend said:

Regular ring spanners and a flat drive socket set.

Best advice is to loosen 1/4 turn each bolt .. then completely remove any akward access bolts,, then the easy ones.

Replace old bolts with the much nicer ARP bolts :
http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=222

And some of these http://www.racestuff.co.uk/www.racestuff.co.uk/inf...

Edited by Simon Says on Tuesday 22 September 13:09

[dogbucket]

Simon Says said:

lewis_sharman said:

rev-erend said:

Regular ring spanners and a flat drive socket set.

Best advice is to loosen 1/4 turn each bolt .. then completely remove any akward access bolts,, then the easy ones.

Replace old bolts with the much nicer ARP bolts :
http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=222

And some of these http://www.racestuff.co.uk/www.racestuff.co.uk/inf...

Edited by Simon Says on Tuesday 22 September 13:09

I agree, they work well; but if you use stainless steel bolts they need the stainless steel nordlocks as the standard ones on that page wont work (the teeth cannot grip the harder SS). I speak from experience..

Edited by dogbucket on Tuesday 22 September 13:27

[STE VR]

Gents, that is all excellent advice. ARP bolts are on the way already plus any excuse to buy new shiny tools is a plus! Many thanks.

[GreenV8S]

lewis_sharman said:

I can get stainless high tensile bolts

Is that not a contradiction in terms? Stainless steel is inherently brittle. I understand that stainless steel and aluminium react rather badly together so probably not a good choice from that point of view. The lack of tensile strength wouldn't be an issue since they're hardly nipped up but we have enough grief with ordinary steel bolts seizing/snapping without using ones which are even more brittle and more prone to seizing.

[lewis_sharman]

Never have bolts been more confusing

I think i will just try and be careful removing the old ones and re-use them if they are in good nick

ETA

I'm pretty sure they keep different grades at work for different applications , and they are all definately stainless because thats all we are allowed to use.

Another ETA

ARP say - "Set of 16 Stainless Steel Hex High tensile bolts"

Edited by lewis_sharman on Wednesday 23 September 00:19

Edited by lewis_sharman on Wednesday 23 September 00:21

[GreenV8S]

lewis_sharman said:

I think i will just try and be careful removing the old ones and re-use them if they are in good nick

The ARP K-head bolts are highly recommended anyway since they make access so much easier, combined with a 72-point ratchet it makes the job a heck of a lot easier.

[lewis_sharman]

GreenV8S said:

lewis_sharman said:

I think i will just try and be careful removing the old ones and re-use them if they are in good nick

The ARP K-head bolts are highly recommended anyway since they make access so much easier, combined with a 72-point ratchet it makes the job a heck of a lot easier.

But will the galvanic corrosion be a problem if you ever come to remove them again?

And is there any specific justification for the price?

[lewis_sharman]

Or due to the access problem, could you use any large allen headed bolts?

[Pupp]

lewis_sharman said:

But will the galvanic corrosion be a problem if you ever come to remove them again?

And is there any specific justification for the price?

Used them for years, coppaslipped with no issues at all. Worth their weight in gold

[Pupp]

lewis_sharman said:

Or due to the access problem, could you use any large allen headed bolts?

Not a chance on the majority of the lowers

[GreenV8S]

lewis_sharman said:

And is there any specific justification for the price?

Who cares? I mean, dude, just look at them; they're all shiny.

[Pupp]

GreenV8S said:

lewis_sharman said:

And is there any specific justification for the price?

Who cares? I mean, dude, just look at them; they're all shiny.

[spend]

Glad to say I keep my nuts solely for screwing purposes, but if showing them off on the mantlepiece / through the front window is your thing....