need help with removal of header bolt

[citykid]

I can't find a tool or any room to get this bolt. I know this has had to happen to someone. Share the knowledge

 

[JWMcCrary]

Sacrifice a good quality open end wrench, cut it off about 3 inches long and then flatten the rounded sides of the opening with a grinder to allow a better bite on the bolt head. Needs to be a good American made wrench to be strong enough. I have a couple I have made and used for years. Good luck

 

[blubuckaroo]

If you plan to run headers, you'll need a set of these crows foot box sockets.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...kznUcvmJs-QiQfJw4CABg&ved=0CEoQ9QEwAg&dur=587

 

[73azbronco]

box end wrench to break the torque, then wobbly socket of correct size with extensions.

And PB blaster to help.

 

[citykid]

I cant get a socket on the bolt because to close to pipes. I will cut a wrench and try to use that to get to that one side. thanks for the help .

 

[Viperwolf1]

I've got one just like that. Short open end wrench. You need to angle it so the wrench and your hand is under the tunnel behind the head. Then you get about 1/16 of a turn, flip the wrench over, get another 1/16 turn, then repeat until you drop the wrench.

 

[patterdale]

There is such a thing as an "offset wrench" out there. It is an open end wrench with both ends at weird angles to normal wrenches. They have gotten me out of a lot of tight places. You will have to do the "flip flop" thing but it should work as good or better than making your own "specialty" tool.

 

[demesauce]

Have to let it soak overnight in penetrating oil?

 

[Timmy390]

Then you get about 1/16 of a turn, flip the wrench over, get another 1/16 turn, then repeat until you drop the wrench.

Been there.......390FE with headers.....hours of it.....think some of them were 1/32 at a time.

Tim

 

[Crawdad]

PB Blaster soaked for 24 hrs may help. Run motor to operating temps, try to remove then but be careful dont burn yourself! Id also try a battery powered impact gun, they work wonders for us when removing stuck bolts on jets.

 

[ryansbronco]

I have a wrench that my dad made its bent like a horseshoe. Besides soaking it in blaster use a long punch and smack it a few times. You can also try to tighten and the go back to loosen. Just don't round the head off.

 

[TwoDalesDad]

I recently ran into the same problem. I was replacing the Header gasket on a 351...The 7/16 ..bolt heads were so close to the pipes....It became a comedy routine trying to find the RIGHT SOCKET THAT FITS. THE SHOP WHO INSTALLED THE HEADERS DIDNT TIGHTEN THEM UP....ON A COUPLE IT TOOK 1/4 DRIVE SHORT WITH SWIVELS....ON A FEW IT TOOK3/8 ..DRIVE UNIVERSAL SOCKET.....NOT A CRAFTSMAN, OR NAPA, ...IT TOOK A SNAP-ON UNIVERSAL....A VERY THIN SOCKET......I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT. A ALLEN HEAD SET .....WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AS NO ONE STOCKS....WTF.....!!!

 

[KyleQ]

Worse case cut the head off, then weld a nut to it once you have the header off. Replace with bolts that have the center allen and use a pivot allen wrench. Get it tight, then get a wrench on it to finish it off.