Exhaust manifold removal V8S

[Ojbrit]

Having issues getting to the last 2 bolts on the off side exhaust manifold. It has to come off as it's leaking like a sieve.
Any magic advice out there?
Cheers,
Owen

[Barkychoc]

Lots of swearing helps! You may need to invest in some cranked spanners they are a right bugger to get at. I only needed to nip mine up a bit and it was a real struggle.

[v8s4me]

I live in Kings Langley. If you're not too far away I could give you a hand.

[phillpot]

Doesn't help with getting it off (just keep struggling) but over on the Chimaera Forum some folk cut the bottom holes open into slots so the bolts can be started, with gaskets on, then the manifold dropped on.
Still leaves the problem of getting them tightened.

If an S is anything like a Chimaera I ended up removing engine mounts and starter motor.

Have you heard of ARP bolts, smaller spanner size so easier to get on? Nice but not cheap.......

[Ojbrit]

Thanks for the advice. They're off! Half moon ratchet spanners combined with removing the exhaust y tube and back section and access is DRASTICALLY improved.
Now................. What do I do to make them look shiny? Cermachrome, paint or something else? Anyone?

[GreenV8S]

I painted mine with Satin Black ceramic exhaust paint, which was quite pricey but cheaper than paying cermachrome to do it.

Also consider getting some fine 72-point ratchet ring spanners to suit your new ARP bolts (which are an excellent choice, btw) as the smaller K-head bolts give enough room to get a good quality ratchet ring spanner on most of the bolts and this speeds the work up immensely. Also make sure that you wind all the bolts in before you tighten any of them since it is much harder (and also wears the threads out sooner) if you have a load on the bolts when you do them up.