Need a bright idea on installing a missing header bolt

[rown4au]

After my last track day I noticed I had a pretty bad exhaust leak on the cylinder closest to the passenger side firewall. After checking it with an inspection mirror (its completely blind and wedged in between the wheel well/shock tower) I found the bolt had completely fallen out. I managed to order a few new bolts online so I have spares but I can not for the life of me get this thing started as my hands won't fit and its just too close to get the right angle.

I was thinking about trying to loosen the motor mounts, collector bolts to the X pipe, and the rear transmission crossmember bolts and try to lift the engine a bit to get it to move over 1/2-3/4" and maybe that will be enough to get a better angle on it. All the header install articles for the bassani mid lengths on the car I can find online say to drop the K member but I REALLY don't want to do that for one darn bolt.

Suggestions definitely appreciated.

[Carnut]

Have you thought about pulling the starter and accessing from underneath?

Maybe a wobble socket and an extension?

Sometimes while pushing on the bolt head with one finger, you can try turning it with another, sounds hard but I have managed it.

I would also consider using some anti seize in case you have to turn it with your finger tips.

I assume you will be able to get a wrench or socket on it one you get it threaded in.

Good luck.

[rown4au]

Have you thought about pulling the starter and accessing from underneath?

Maybe a wobble socket and an extension?

Sometimes while pushing on the bolt head with one finger, you can try turning it with another, sounds hard but I have managed it.

I would also consider using some anti seize in case you have to turn it with your finger tips.

I assume you will be able to get a wrench or socket on it one you get it threaded in.

Good luck.

Thanks Nut, I was thinking about pulling the starter actually; the third bolt on that is also a nightmare to get to but I know the trick to that at least from when I did the clutch. even if I do that it didn't look like I would have access though as its the top bolt on the flange but I am going to have another look at it.

Once it is started I can get a socket or wrench on it but that is a bit tough as well.

Like I said above I was toying with the idea of loosening the motor mounts and trying to lift the block up and somehow a bit over toward the drivers side (maybe pry gently?) to help improve access. Is this a bad idea? I don't want to make things worse by breaking something else...

[The Bone]

Have you taken the battery box out and still have issues?
Good luck with this one. Nothing is easy on a Ford.

[Carnut]

I guess you could try removing the tranny mount, the exhaust pipes would have to be loosened. That would allow the tail shaft to drop down. That is also a lot of work if you are trying to do it on jackstands. I would make sure I supported the back of the tranny with a jack so it doesn't drop too far.

[Boston Mike]

I could ask my shop if they can help. They are great with header bolts . :nonono:

[68fastback]

I could ask my shop if they can help. They are great with header bolts . :nonono:

:spitcopy:

[Tommy Gun]

The k member bolts are pretty long. You could loosen them and drop the motor about 1/2" to 3/4" w/o disconnecting the exhaust or trans stuff. I did this to install my deeper oil pan. Just support the car good, then drop the k member,motor etc. that is saying that the k member isn't part of what is blocking access?

[Carnut]

Is this still happening?

[Tommy Gun]

I wish I lived closer to so many people on this forum.

Jamie, you are one of them.

I learned a long time ago that two heads are better than one at figuring out things and Jamie has always hit me as good people. :grin:

.

[68fastback]

...and if he lived closer we'd all know that his name is Jaime, not Jamie

:hiding:

:tiptoe2: lol

[68fastback]

TG :hug: ;-)

[Joe G]

I wish I lived closer to so many people on this forum.
.:iagree:

Imagine if we all lived in the same city... or even the same state? There's nothing we couldn't do.





(unless TG was on one side of the Mississippi and the rest of us were on the other... :groan:)


:giggle:

[rown4au]

TG I am genuinely touched to hear you say that. Seriously I really appreciate that and you always make me laugh (ignoring the dodgy picture of you with double DD's that seems to pop up ridiculously often... which I am beginning to find just plain scary)

Anyway I digress, unfortunately due to other things going on right now I have not had time to touch the car since Sunday. I have some other commitments Saturday so I won't get to try again until this coming Sunday so I figure that I will give it another go then. My next plan of attack is to loosen the bolts to all the other header tubes on the passenger side, loosen both motor mounts, both collectors, and try to jack up one side of the motor to see if that gives me enough clearance.

I tried pulling the starter but that didn't get me enough room either but at least now I can loosen all the other header bolts and I am thinking that might let me get some more clearance to start that bolt. Once its started I should be OK, it may be tough to tighten but not impossible.

This is a ridiculous amount of effort for one silly bolt :boink:but I am learning a lot I guess....

[rown4au]

Well if enough are interested in a road trip. I would be willing to host a kind of Orfstock South... Obviously we would need a new catchy name however and that could take ages to come up with.

If we do it soon enough maybe TG can fix my header bolt!!!

[Tommy Gun]

...and if he lived closer we'd all know that his name is Jaime, not Jamie

:hiding:

:tiptoe2: lol


:banghead: I think the iPad changed it as I typed it. .....yeah yeah that's it!

[Tommy Gun]

Well if enough are interested in a road trip. I would be willing to host a kind of Orfstock South... Obviously we would need a new catchy name however and that could take ages to come up with.

If we do it soon enough maybe TG can fix my header bolt!!!


What side of the Mississippi are you on? :popcorn:


.

[rown4au]

for you.... the wrong one!

[The Bone]

Stupid river

[rown4au]

However I might know a guy who can charter you a boat...:spend:

[Joe G]

However I might know a guy who can charter you a boat...:spend:It's ok. TG's rich. :moneyman:

[Shlbylvr]

...and if he lived closer we'd all know that his name is Jaime, not Jamie

:hiding:

:tiptoe2: lol
:haha:

Well if enough are interested in a road trip. I would be willing to host a kind of Orfstock South... Obviously we would need a new catchy name however and that could take ages to come up with.

If we do it soon enough maybe TG can fix my header bolt!!!

Something maybe in the works.

[Tommy Gun]

Stupid river


:rofl3:


.

[rown4au]

Well finally success!!!!! :fireworks:

I loosened up the collector and all the flange bolts on the passenger side header and was barely able to snake my fingers around either side of the primary for the after most cylinder and using the tips of my two index fingers from each side start the bolt.

If I was to do this again I would just pull the passenger side wheel, the starter, the intake tube and do it that way from the start. It might have helped that I had on nitrile gloves with textured tips so I got a bit better purchase on the bolt.

I have tightened all the other header and collector bolts back down and now I need to reinstall the starter, intake tube and a few of the bolts from the strut tower brace. I am really hoping I have no exhaust leaks after all this!

[rown4au]

As an added bonus I ended up finding the bolt that came out of the header in the first place so I can hang on to the ARP ones I had to special order that are a slightly different head size as spares.

[68fastback]

...glad to hear it all worked out, Jaime!!

[Alloy Dave]

Didn't read the whole thread, but have you considered installing a stud with a nut instead? Would that work?

Or, perhaps use a bolt with an allen head rather than a hex head?

Just tossing out some ideas. Obviously you'd want these to be grade 8 or higher and use some sort of anti-seize.

[rown4au]

Well, I buttoned everything up and I don't hear or feel any more exhaust leaks but its hard to tell as the car is VERY loud. If there are any I am figuring they are not enough to worry about.

Also installed a steeda triax shifter as well during some of the down time, unfortunately my next track outing isn't until June to try all this out!!!:waiting2:

[rown4au]

Didn't read the whole thread, but have you considered installing a stud with a nut instead? Would that work?

Or, perhaps use a bolt with an allen head rather than a hex head?

Just tossing out some ideas. Obviously you'd want these to be grade 8 or higher and use some sort of anti-seize.

Not sure if a stud would have worked, as it would potentially be as difficult to start as the bolt. I was very leery of replacing the missing bolt with an allen head as I figured that might be even more difficult to get started.

If I was to do it over I know the trick now but I have to say I am not sure I could have done it this way without a lift as I don't think the angles would have worked from laying on my back.

[Tommy Gun]

Well, I buttoned everything up and I don't hear or feel any more exhaust leaks but its hard to tell as the car is VERY loud. If there are any I am figuring they are not enough to worry about.

Also installed a steeda triax shifter as well during some of the down time, unfortunately my next track outing isn't until June to try all this out!!!:waiting2:

I'm heading to the track on Friday and again at the end of the month. :tongueflap:

.

[Carnut]

Great news, it's a pita but determination and patience usually win out.

[Tommy Gun]

Great news, it's a pita but determination and patience usually win out.


I see you're still trying....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0ykM1ALggE

[rown4au]

I'm heading to the track on Friday and again at the end of the month. :tongueflap:

.

OK that's just mean...

I am considering doing a red meat and race fuel one of the upcoming evenings in May, to get my fix in the meantime.

http://msrhouston.com/events/rmrf

[Tommy Gun]

:wow2: food and track time. :hungry:

[Carnut]

I see you're still trying....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0ykM1ALggE

Keeps me young :lol:

[Tommy Gun]

:grin: