Header swap begins.

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hey mister

hey mister

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I've been planning the header project for a few months now.
I've been spraying PB Blaster on the manifold bolts on and off for a few weeks. They are original. Yea, it smokes for a couple miles and stinks, but it has paid off. Using only a Ridgid sub compact 3/8" electric impact driver, all 12 spun right off on the #2 of 4 power setting. No problemo.
Flange bolts will be tomorrow.
But there may be a snafu.
Between the spark plugs and the manifold is a thin sheet metal heat shield. 2 on each side. With the manifold loose, they are not. I can not see under them to see if something is holding them on the block, but they feel/act like they are attached. Taking the manifolds off without removing them is not going to happen.
After looking thru all 4 of my manuals, I can find no reference to them.
So the question for the collective is this:
Are they attached to the block?
How do they get removed?
Thanks guys for the replies.
 

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PrairieDrifter

PrairieDrifter

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hey mister said:
I've been planning the header project for a few months now.
I've been spraying PB Blaster on the manifold bolts on and off for a few weeks. They are original. Yea, it smokes for a couple miles and stinks, but it has paid off. Using only a Ridgid sub compact 3/8" electric impact driver, all 12 spun right off on the #2 of 4 power setting. No problemo.
Flange bolts will be tomorrow.
But there may be a snafu.
Between the spark plugs and the manifold is a thin sheet metal heat shield. 2 on each side. With the manifold loose, they are not. I can not see under them to see if something is holding them on the block, but they feel/act like they are attached. Taking the manifolds off without removing them is not going to happen.
After looking thru all 4 of my manuals, I can find no reference to them.
So the question for the collective is this:
Are they attached to the block?
How do they get removed?
Thanks guys for the replies.
Click to expand...
They are attached just above the pan rail. With I believe one bolt per shield. Maybe two.

There are different versions, some mounted to the manifold bolts.
 
hey mister

hey mister

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PrairieDrifter said:
They are attached just above the pan rail. With I believe one bolt per shield. Maybe two.

There are different versions, some mounted to the manifold bolts.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply.
In the dark, I just crawled under with a light and sure enuf I found the 2 bolts that holds each one in place.

How in the heck does one get a wrench in there?
It looks like I have remove motor mounts and a starter to get to them.
Tell me there's a secret to getting them out...please.
 
PrairieDrifter

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hey mister said:
Thank you for your reply.
In the dark, I just crawled under with a light and sure enuf I found the 2 bolts that holds each one in place.

How in the heck does one get a wrench in there?
It looks like I have remove motor mounts and a starter to get to them.
Tell me there's a secret to getting them out...please.
Click to expand...
Just bend them. No one uses those things anymore. Most of them were long gone by the 90's already. Either get a stubby flex head in there, or a flex head ratcheting wrench.
 
hey mister

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SquareRoot said:
What makes you think the manifolds won't come off with them attached?
Click to expand...
The frame rail keeps the manifold from being pulled away from the block and the shield keeps them from moving up or down.
I've tried to move the manifolds, they are trapped in place.
 
hey mister

hey mister

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PrairieDrifter said:
Just bend them. No one uses those things anymore. Most of them were long gone by the 90's already. Either get a stubby flex head in there, or a flex head ratcheting wrench.
Click to expand...
Ahh, brute force.
Ok.
My thoughts were to not destroy them, but if I want the manifolds off there may not be a choice short of pulling the motor....let's not do that.
 
PrairieDrifter

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hey mister said:
Ahh, brute force.
Ok.
My thoughts were to not destroy them, but if I want the manifolds off there may not be a choice short of pulling the motor....let's not do that.
Click to expand...
You can try and fight em from underneath. But that's your choice.
 
hey mister

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Next question:
My power steering pump has a top bracket which shares a bolt with the #1 manifold exhaust port.
I know I need much shorter bolts for the headers. Is there a specific bolt for that PS bracket?
Or is "fudge-it" the norm?
Thanks again, guys.
 
legopnuematic

legopnuematic

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Pretty standard is making a spacer, either make a solid spacer from some tubing or pipe, or make a stack of washers/nuts
 
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The sleeves on the front disc brake calipers are just about the right size??
 
PrairieDrifter

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Make a spacer. Dont hack the bracket. Then you can use the old bolt length for that hole.
 
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