Help.... Manifold bolt passenger side LT4
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Help.... Manifold bolt passenger side LT4
Hi Guys
I need your help. I could really use a hint or two on this.
I recently lost the manifold bolt on the passenger side nearest to the firewall. Now i have a new one, and iam having BIG trouble getting it to go in. I can just squeze my hand down there, to get it in (my hands are bloody), but i cannot screw it in by hand. It seems like the collar on the bolt (ARP 400-1209) is touching the side of the manifold (shorty headers). This also means that i am having problems getting the socket on there, and the bolt is turning really tight, i am a bit affraid of ruining the thread.
So i was wondering if any of you have tried this? What did you do? Did you use a special tool or something?
BR
Dennis
I need your help. I could really use a hint or two on this.
I recently lost the manifold bolt on the passenger side nearest to the firewall. Now i have a new one, and iam having BIG trouble getting it to go in. I can just squeze my hand down there, to get it in (my hands are bloody), but i cannot screw it in by hand. It seems like the collar on the bolt (ARP 400-1209) is touching the side of the manifold (shorty headers). This also means that i am having problems getting the socket on there, and the bolt is turning really tight, i am a bit affraid of ruining the thread.
So i was wondering if any of you have tried this? What did you do? Did you use a special tool or something?
BR
Dennis
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
Ok - you've got a couple of choices here... First - it's ok to grind the OD of the bolt face a bit to create some extra clearance... It might also help to loosen the other manifold bolts a bit, and try to start get the bolt started. Sometimes header flanges tend to move a bit after multiple heat / cool cycles.
I've had decent luck with a 1/4" drive socket with the build in Universal Joint (they're sometimes called flex sockets) - not cheap - but worth it at times like this. I also have a 1/4" drive deep socket that I ground down on the OD to make header bolt installation on the rear driver side a bit more tolerable.
Take your time, and try not to get frustrated. The bolt WILL go in !!!
GOOD LUCK !!!
I've had decent luck with a 1/4" drive socket with the build in Universal Joint (they're sometimes called flex sockets) - not cheap - but worth it at times like this. I also have a 1/4" drive deep socket that I ground down on the OD to make header bolt installation on the rear driver side a bit more tolerable.
Take your time, and try not to get frustrated. The bolt WILL go in !!!
GOOD LUCK !!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
You need a "manifold spreader" to accomplish the replacement.
Most all auto parts stores will have them on the shelf. Don't grind on a thing just get your self a "spreader":
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-59...FShp7AodhH4Aig
You mentioned "manifold" but then it seems you mention "shorty headers" - which do you really have? If you've any situation at all I'd think it's going to involve loosening all of them and starting fresh. I mentioned the manifold spreader if you've manifolds and that would do it but with a header flange and the issue you seem to mention it likely requires the loosening of "all"!
Most all auto parts stores will have them on the shelf. Don't grind on a thing just get your self a "spreader":
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-59...FShp7AodhH4Aig
You mentioned "manifold" but then it seems you mention "shorty headers" - which do you really have? If you've any situation at all I'd think it's going to involve loosening all of them and starting fresh. I mentioned the manifold spreader if you've manifolds and that would do it but with a header flange and the issue you seem to mention it likely requires the loosening of "all"!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Sep 5, 2014 at 07:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
(1) loosen the motor mounts; shove / pry engine aound to get some extra clearnce, if that isn't enough, and I know you don't want to hear this,
(2) pull header and file, grind mounting hole in header flange to gain proper clearance / alignment
(3) with header off, test screw the bolt into the head, chase threads with bottoming tap if necessary
(2) pull header and file, grind mounting hole in header flange to gain proper clearance / alignment
(3) with header off, test screw the bolt into the head, chase threads with bottoming tap if necessary
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco California
Had the same problem with my factory manifold on the passenger side. The same exact bolt gave me trouble and I was practically pulling my hair out. Best thing to do at that point is just walk away and give it some time. In that frame of mind, nothing goes right anyway.
As the others have suggested, loosening them all and starting over (much as I dreaded it) finally did the trick for me.
Wishing you good luck...hopefully this time will go smoothly!
As the others have suggested, loosening them all and starting over (much as I dreaded it) finally did the trick for me.
Wishing you good luck...hopefully this time will go smoothly!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Thanks a lot guys. Now i have the manifold of, and have repaired the thread with a thread tool. It turned out that the thread was bad, probably due to vibrations when the bolt came loose??
But it is ok, but i was crapping my pants when doing it. Not a job that you want to mess up. I also found that it had blown the gasket, so a new set is on the way. Thank you for your help.
But it is ok, but i was crapping my pants when doing it. Not a job that you want to mess up. I also found that it had blown the gasket, so a new set is on the way. Thank you for your help.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Thanks a lot guys. Now i have the manifold of, and have repaired the thread with a thread tool. It turned out that the thread was bad, probably due to vibrations when the bolt came loose??
But it is ok, but i was crapping my pants when doing it. Not a job that you want to mess up. I also found that it had blown the gasket, so a new set is on the way. Thank you for your help.
But it is ok, but i was crapping my pants when doing it. Not a job that you want to mess up. I also found that it had blown the gasket, so a new set is on the way. Thank you for your help.
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