Manifold removal

[Mike Brewer]

ok Bummer .Had a friend around tonight .to repair exhaust blow.Tryed to remove passenger manifold .Sods law 2 bolts broke Have another friend .who helps me .His mate does helicoils etc.Hope fully can be fixed ....Mike350i

[dixiebabes]

When your putting it back together mike change the bolts from flats to allen bolts i found them far easier to nip up/loosen the next time.

Dix

[Mike Brewer]

I don't think this car wants to run again lol.As I said it needed some tlc .Now I have to wait 2 weeks for a guy to get to belts out .And then helicoils them .Oh we'll I am sure it will be worth it .Mike 350i s1

[Wedg1e]

You'll have to have some funky technique to helicoil the heads whilst still on the engine in the car... the rear threads especially are a shade more inaccessible than Rachel Riley's knicker drawer.
Probably need a right-angle drill for a start... and if you go too deep you break into the water jacket.
Apart from that, piece of p155

[adam quantrill]

Or do what I did - when one of my manifold/head bolts failed I tapped it out to M10.

Then instead of using a bolt the usual way, I screwed in a stud (after putting the manifold on) and a nut on the stud tightens onto the manifold.

I've been running like this for 8 years now no problems and have had the manifold off once or twice (and the head too actually) and didn't feel the need to helicoil it. It just works.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

ARP do some special bolts that have smaller heads, this makes doing them up easier. I think TVR power or ACT sell them, as a Kit with some special lock washers.

[Number 7]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

ARP do some special bolts that have smaller heads, this makes doing them up easier. I think TVR power or ACT sell them, as a Kit with some special lock washers.

Quite right. I'm in the process of changing mine now. The ARP bolts have 3/8" heads, compared to 14mm for the standard HT steel versions. Nordlock washers as well. All from Tim Lamont, as Leigh says.