Removing cylinder head - exhaust is giving me troubles

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    Noobie
    • Jul 2013
    • 13

    #1

    Removing cylinder head - exhaust is giving me troubles

    I'm currently attempting to remove the cylinder head from my m20b25, and the exhaust connection is giving me problems. I initially tried to disconnect the headers from the head, but of course one of the nuts is stripped. My next idea is the leave the headers attached to the head, and disconnect them from the rest of the exhaust system. Herein lies the problem.

    I can't even think of a tool that would make this possible, let alone find one in my toolbox. What have you guys used to disconnect these exhaust pieces?

    To clarify, I am on step 3 of cylinder head removal in the Bentley manual. Here is what the Bentley had to say:

    "3. Remove the front exhaust pipe from the manifold. See Fig. 4-51 . Discard the mounting nuts. Disconnect the oxygen sensor on cars equipped with one."

    What procedure and tools have been used in order to complete this step? I feel like I must be missing something obvious, but can't seem to access a couple of these bolts with either combo wrenches, or sockets, and still have room or leverage to make them spin.
  • Swanny
    R3VLimited
    • Mar 2012
    • 2834

    #2
    I used a combination of a 6 point socket on a kobalt socket to wrench adapter which was put in a craftsman ratcheting box wrench. Can get to all the hard to reach manifold studs with it. If your nut is stripped you can still get and easy out in there. Also has enough room away from your hands that you can heat up any stubborn studs to break loose.
    Swanny!
    SUCKERS.

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    • Ether-D
      R3VLimited
      • Sep 2011
      • 2838

      #3
      Get to the exhaust flange nuts with a long (18") extension with a wobble on the end and a 14mm socket from under the car. Hands down the easiest way I know of.
      Originally posted by Andy.B
      Whenever I am about to make a particularly questionable decision regarding a worryingly cheap diy solution, I just ask myself, "What would Ether-D do?"
      1987 325iS m30b34 Muscle car (Engine electrical phase)
      ~~~~~~~~~~
      I was born on 3/25…
      ~~~~~~~~~~

      Comment

      • jlevie
        R3V OG
        • Nov 2006
        • 13530

        #4
        You will want to use 1/2" drive stuff, but a short wobble extension or universal and other extensions will get the nuts off.
        The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
        Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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        • seen
          Noobie
          • Jul 2013
          • 13

          #5
          Awesome, thanks for the quick answers guys. I'm heading out to buy the long extension now. Those bolts have been bathing in PB for a few days, as per recommendations, so hopefully they will pop off fairly easily. :roll:

          Comment

          • Ceeker
            R3VLimited
            • Sep 2009
            • 2821

            #6
            lube and heat is the secret. ;-) then hardware!! :-) works like a charm everytime!!!
            sigpic

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            • Danny
              Moderator
              • Feb 2008
              • 14216

              #7
              PB Blaster, impact extensions, impact ujoints and impact gun make this a quick job.

              Comment

              • seen
                Noobie
                • Jul 2013
                • 13

                #8
                It all worked out as described. The huge extension with wobble and a 1/2 in drive socket made short work of those nuts. Once the head was pulled some liberal application of heat loosened that last header nut, so the headers popped right off.

                The head is making it's way to a machine shop on monday, hopefully I'll get some good news, and not have to source another.

                This is the second time the advice of R3V has got me unstuck in just the last week, so thanks! You all have managed to save me a lot of wasted time and effort.

                Comment

                • Ether-D
                  R3VLimited
                  • Sep 2011
                  • 2838

                  #9
                  Yessir, R3V can be awesome.
                  Originally posted by Andy.B
                  Whenever I am about to make a particularly questionable decision regarding a worryingly cheap diy solution, I just ask myself, "What would Ether-D do?"
                  1987 325iS m30b34 Muscle car (Engine electrical phase)
                  ~~~~~~~~~~
                  I was born on 3/25…
                  ~~~~~~~~~~

                  Comment

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