Exhaust manifolds - how to tighten?

[Bimmerfanatik]

Still got a small leak at the manifolds. Any good ways to tighten them down? Almost impossible to get in there with anything useable.

[Erick]

New gaskets?

[Bimmerfanatik]

New gaskets?

Brand new. New studs and nuts, too. Just can't get to the bottom ones enough to tighten them properly. I think I may have stripped one of the mounts too trying to get it in - not good.

[delatlanta1281]

I always use a stubby open end and alot of patience. You could try a ratcheting box as well.

[nando]

you talking about the downpipes? I use a flex joint and several long extensions. has always worked great in the past.

[PeaveyBassist]

Exhaust Manifolds -> head swivel socket.

Will

[Bimmerfanatik]

Manifold to head studs/nuts - all 12 of them. Manifold to downpipe bolts are cake with a few flex joints and extensions.

[Wahrheit1990]

Exhaust Manifolds -> head swivel socket.

Will

werd.

cutie

[nando]

Manifold to head studs/nuts - all 12 of them. Manifold to downpipe bolts are cake with a few flex joints and extensions.

I can't remember, but I think I used a socket wrench for most of those, and a box wrench for the rest. hopefully you are using copper locknuts, getting them to the exact torque isn't much of an issue.

[RobertK]

I recently replaced mine and I used a regular rachet and socket.

If all else fails get a bolt out kit. Those fuckers rock.

[mspiegle]

you talking about the downpipes? I use a flex joint and several long extensions. has always worked great in the past.

Same here. 3/8 ratchet, extension, swivel. Done deal.

[02stu]

I might be wrong, but don't manifold bolts only need to be tightened to 8 ft/lbs? There brass right and they are going into aluminum, one of my buddies had to helicoil new threads into his m3 after over tighening the manifold bolts.

[Bimmerfanatik]

I might be wrong, but don't manifold bolts only need to be tightened to 8 ft/lbs? There brass right and they are going into aluminum, one of my buddies had to helicoil new threads into his m3 after over tighening the manifold bolts.

The studs I bought looked to be aluminum, if I'm not mistaken. One of them won't go in at all - pretty sure the hole in the head that it goes in is stripped. As far as the others - it's just a question of reaching them.