Help with manifold removal - steering & UJ’s

[TIIVRS]

Decided I’d tackle the rusty bits over winter... it was much easier to pretend they weren’t there! I’m not doing a body lift and am just trying to get to all the ‘easily accessible’ bits...

I’m stuck removing the drivers side manifold so I can give the top rail a decent paint. I have read some other posts advising pushing the engine to the passenger side but I’m finding it impossible to create a gap big enough, I can’t seem to jack it high and across as the steering rod between the uj’s is in the way of the engine mount. I have tried removing this engine mount before and it’s also pretty impossible without unplumbing the oil pipe which I’d rather not do.

Unless there is a way I haven’t found to get the manifold out easily it looks like I need to remove this rod. Has anyone managed this without rod removal?
If I really need to disconnect the steering this is a first for me and I’d appreciate any advice please, how do I remove this rod and then replace it without buggering up the direction on the steering? Is it a case of marking the positions somehow before unbolting or is there a trick to getting it right? And when I manage this is there a safe point on the engine to use a jack to push it sideways?

Also the Powder coat has burned off in the top rail and a bit down the frame - what is the recommended solution going forward, I’m using POR, will it take the heat? Will reflective tape help? Would ceramic coating the manifolds stop the POR burning off? I’d like to get it right first time as I’m really not in a hurry to go through this again...

Thanks and sorry for the ramble and too many questions (it helps ease the frustration)!!

[TIIVRS]

Thanks wolves!!

Got it out this evening... The rubber engine mount was in the way I had to jack up the engine up till it touched the steering rod, unwind the ‘hockey puck’ as much as I could & hacksaw the top of the bolt off that got it free! I couldn’t get any further last night so thanks for your post I didn’t think of the gearbox mount, Undid the drivers side, one manly shove of the engine across the bay and it popped right out - easy when you know how!

Good news is no holes in the top rail and so it should paint up nicely, and I can get to the heat shields as they need patching definitely worth the pain as I would never have got in there.

[TIIVRS]

Luckily mine aren’t warped but I have a tear in the bottom bracket that bolts the 1 pipes together that will need welding.

Strangely mine have no gaskets or sealant, it doesn’t look like they were leaking though as I can’t see any soot bold up so when it’s going back together I’m not sure if I should gasket, seal or leave bare??

Was thinking about ceramic coating them to help stop the chassis burn, heat soak and using reflect-a-gold on the tubes to help stop paint peel. Is this enough to stop the heat damage? Otherwise I was considering fabricating an ally shield - bent over the top rail and diagonal down by the exhaust route. Has anyone done this Is it worthwhile or overkill??

[TIIVRS]

I’ll take that advice, thanks - they’ don’t look a bad price, on closer inspection both manifolds cracked by front tube. It’s amazing what you find when you start taking things apart!!