You're already aware of the jig required. I had a couple of broken exhaust manifold bolts in my '86 GT on the back window side of the engine. Not a pleasant repair to tackle. I eventually tipped the back of the cradle down to give me enough room to get a right-angle drill in there. It's a b*tch of a job.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-16-2016).]
If it were me, I'd pull the intake and heads. Others probably would/will argue my way of thinking but you are going to have a nightmare on your hands if you try to do it on the car.
The other advantage to pulling the heads is you can do both manifolds, clean the heads & upper end and reseal the whole upper end. Which on an older engine really isn't a bad idea.
I'm betting you're going to have the same amount of time invested doing it either way and my way will make the engine better.
Although I had even posted in that old thread about the engine tilter, I chose to tilt the cradle when I drilled out my broken exhaust manifold bolts. I don't know for sure, but it seemed to me at the time that tilting the cradle would give more room to work.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-16-2016).]
Just drop the cradle. In my 2 car garage with a floor jack and limited tools I can drop it in 1 hour usually. Much easier than messing with removing the heads in the car.
Just drop the cradle. In my 2 car garage with a floor jack and limited tools I can drop it in 1 hour usually. Much easier than messing with removing the heads in the car.
Plus you can degrease and clean and paint everything up nice in the bay while you are at it.
Yup, pulled the heads. I tried drilling out the broken bolt(S) and also tried welding a nut to them. No go. Took heads to a machine shop and they were able to take care if it. They said they can do this much quicker and I have to agree.
I didn't mess with the rockers and lifter adjustment. I bought a tool to compress lifter and remove rods. Wasn't bad at all.
Replace the bolts with studs and nuts.
quote
Originally posted by Thunderstruck GT:
Welp............
If it were me, I'd pull the intake and heads. Others probably would/will argue my way of thinking but you are going to have a nightmare on your hands if you try to do it on the car.
The other advantage to pulling the heads is you can do both manifolds, clean the heads & upper end and reseal the whole upper end. Which on an older engine really isn't a bad idea.
I'm betting you're going to have the same amount of time invested doing it either way and my way will make the engine better.
