Manifold bolts

[Retep Draw]

Finished welding up my exhaust manifold and cleaning the intake manifolds after getting the head rebuilt, and now i am having trouble replacing the manifold bolts. How the hell do you get your fingers in there? Tried a socket and it only seems to get the bolt there, but wont start to thread. Any tricks? I got an '89 with a 4.0L. Thanx

 

[joejeep92]

Find someone with really really small hands. I haven't found a special tool or anything that helps besides extensions and u-joints/swivel sockets. I learn to hate them every time I do them.

 

[Mike Mike]

I love my wife. she's 5 ft tall and has really small hands and don't mind getting a little greasy sometimes.

 

[Programbo]

There really is no special tool. I've changed a bunch of intakes for people ('99+ intake upgrade) and unless you have small hands it's a pain. You can try sticking the bolt on a socket with something and then using an extension to reach in there. The bolts don't require a lot of effort once in so just getting them there with some way of turning them should be a start

 

[Retep Draw]

Mike Mike, you are a lucky man. Thanx guys, I'll keep trying.

 

[Hypoid]

I go through the agony of taking the heat shield off. The extra ten minutes is worth not working blind.

 

[ak95xj]

Just did this a few weeks ago..Swivel socket is great..Its a socket built right onto the end of a u joint..So its more compact..You can get them at sears..I tightened all of mine up while leaning over the fender,with a swivel socket and extension or 2, aimed it right under the manifold..