Some fun I ran into with the 318's exhaust yesterday.

[Chris Nicholson]

Haven't had a chance yet to install the new exhaust on my '74 yet, but I thought I'd least fix a leak between the driver's side manifold and the downpipe by tightening up the bolts. The castle nut on the forward bolt, however, is rusted in place. I hit it with a shot of PB, let it soak, then tried to get a socket on the bolt head. None of my 6-points would fit, SAE or metric. A 5/8s 12-point would fit, but the head would turn inside of it. Thanks to how it's angled up towards the block, I couldn't get a pair of vice grips on it.

With the sun setting, I drove it back over to the storage unit. A fight for another day.

 

[halfafish]

For a tight clearance like that you might have success with a GearWrench ratchet wrench. I have a set where the box end is on a pivot and the box head is pretty thin. That might slip in there and give you a good grab on that thing.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I just have to ask, did you attempt it from below?

 

[Chris Nicholson]

I just have to ask, did you attempt it from below?

Yeppers, I forgot to include that. Tried flat wrenches, sockets, vice grips. Had more access from below, but just couldn't get anything to hold.

 

[ch1ll]

That looks like a job for the red hot wrench.

 

[Chris Nicholson]

That looks like a job for the red hot wrench.

Can't be seized if it's a liquid!

Actually was thinking about getting a cutting wheel in there.

 

[Garrett Ellison]

If you got a flux core or stick welder, put enough metal on top of one of the flats for a wrench to bite.

 

[YY1]

Also try after a heat cycle.

 

[RedFish]

So somebody screwed the hex with a chrome 12 point. Impart 6 point should have been used. Pull the manifold

 

[Chris Nicholson]

So somebody screwed the hex with a chrome 12 point. Impart 6 point should have been used. Pull the manifold

That opens the door to temptation... to replace the heads and intake with shiny Edelbrock and a four-barrel.

 

[RedFish]

Spoken like a true motorhead

 

[Kemper]

Can you get this nut splitter on a nut from the lower side ?

 

[Chris Nicholson]

Can you get this nut splitter on a nut from the lower side ?

View attachment 1716447562

I don't think so. Exhaust pipe on one side, flange around the rest.

 

[ch1ll]

Can't be seized if it's a liquid!

Actually was thinking about getting a cutting wheel in there.

Trust me, the cutting torch will fit in there much easier than a cutting wheel and it won't tear stuff up as much. You won't even have to hit the gas pedal, just use a oxidizing flame, heat to just melting and put the littlest, wippiest size wrench on it. If that don't work return red hot wrench and melt it off slowly. Your biggest problem then will be buggars.

 

[Dana67Dart]

you could also unbolt the steering gear just a bit of movement MIGHT be all you need? ( watch the steering shaft)