Exhaust manifold question

[vrinner]

So is there a trick to getting the exhaust manifold back on? I started threading the bolts up from the center and working my way out. But I'm having a problem getting the last two bolts in.

Can I just make the holes a little bigger or is there some other trick?

Thanks!

[Gator]

Naw Vince, no real trick ( or at least that i know of )

Just start putting them in any way ya want, they will all need re-tourqing after the fire-up anyways.

The problem you may be experiencing is that the manifolds actually shrink or warp. So much so that no matter how you try it the bolt holes just do not line up.

Try to see if someone has another manifold that you can borrow for a minute and see if there is a difference.

[svono50]

Vince,

I would have to agree with Gator on this one I had similar issues getting my manifold on. I just pulled out the bolts and started installing them in a different order and things lined up better (don't ask me how, but they did).

[vrinner]

I've tried about 10 different sequences, it looks like I need to try 10 more.

So making the holes bigger is not a good idea?

[gbeaird]

No reason why reaming the holes (in the manifold) shouldn't work, as long as you don't go too crazy with the proceedure.

Try putting them all in very loosly, that is, the ones you can do, put in only a couple of threads deep. That way, you can twist and turn the manifold around a bit. I used some Nevr-Sieze on mine, and it seemed to help a bit.

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO
Pearland, Texas

[GT350R]

If you still have the turbo and exhaust attached, try starting at the front on working back, leaving them very loose.

Of course , I shouldnt talk, I still need to get my broken bolt burned out of my head

[indiana dave]

I JUST went thru this today!!! I ended up putting in the front & rear most bolts only a couple threads deep... Then any others that would thread in easily.... justa to get them started... Then some still wouldnt' go in easily... The trick is to apply pressure with your other hand while turning with the wrench... Hard on the fingers, but worked for me.

[140cilx]

I was wondering over the same quandry looking at my e6 going on my new head in the '88 (non-SVO) car I have. So they shrink? That's weird. Mine is as mentioned and when you line up say the 1,2 cylinders or any group of two, the rest are way off. You can only see about 1/2 the threaded area of the bolt holes (sorry about that lame description). So I suppose I'm really gonna do some wrestling... Should be interesting.

Glad it won't be easy, easy makes it kinda fun and what's the point in that!

[vrinner]

After about three or four hours of trying different combinations of sequence, tight bolts, scraped knuckles, loose bolts, scraped knuckles, brute force, and a few more scraped knuckles, I finaly said screw it. Took the hole thing back out of the car, took the turbo off the manifold (undid my saftey wire), ground out the holes in the manifold and put it back together and in the car. Took me about 15 minutes to get the bolts in. I didn't have to grind too much.

Good luck!