LS1Z28_98

I know that this question has been asked 500 times, but hell if I could find the thread. Can anybody tell me how to get the passenger side extreme rear manifold/header bolt off? I have that spark plug and bolt to go to get the old exhaust manifold off. Im putting on Hooker LT's. Also Hooker supplies a non metal header gasket. Should I use that or get new metal ones from GM?

gwj

I used a short 3/8" ratchet with a short "wobble" extension and a 10mm wrench. It's a major PITA. It's just as much a PITA to reinstall with the headers. Cost me a little skin. I think I ended up reinstalling by reaching up from underneath by the headers to run it up snug,then sequence torqued all pass side w/wrenches.
I just went with new GM gaskets.

conan

iTrader: (5)

I got at that one from under the car. I did mine on my lift but if you have it up high enough you can get to it. I also bought new GM gaskets.

NHRATA01

iTrader: (10)

I got mine from under the car too, much easier. Especially when installing the new headers. I think when removing the manifold I was able to get the bolt that way too, though I vaguely remember it being quite a bit more cramped with the cat in the way.

With the headers on it also becomes much quicker to reach the #8 plug from underneath too.

hifi dream

iTrader: (100)

Got mine from underneath after I took the Y-pipe and cat off. Pretty easy after that.

LS1Z28_98

thanks everyone for your input. I tried from underneith, but my hands are too big to even get in there, im gonan have to get it from up top. Anyone think if I remove the coil packs, and maybe the valve cover if it will give me any more room back there?

conan

iTrader: (5)

Removing the coil will give you more room. If you havent already disconect the battery befor unpluging the coil. You must have some pretty big hands BTW.

JustAnIlluzion

iTrader: (60)

gwj

I removed all coil pack bolts but that SOB in the back on the passenger side, then slid them up out of the way. Removing the valve cover seems a bit too much. My "helper" had to retrieve the bolt a few times when my sweaty hands dropped it, and various other things, in 110* heat indices. I had to thread it with my right hand turned back at the wrist, never could seem to get my left hand in there. It's a ba$tard, but doable.

hifi dream

iTrader: (100)

I ended up getting that back coil pack bolt off only after I took the heater hose off the firewall.
I never re-installed that pig either
4 bolts out of 5 is close enough

SLPSS01

iTrader: (6)

did mine on a lift as well so it was easy from underneath. Like mentioned take the exhaust and cat off and try again from underneath should make it even with large hands. If you have to go from the top take the coil packs off. Good luck with the back stud, just as bad as the header bolt to get at.-lol Left mine off as well the other 4 are more than enough.

NassyVette

iTrader: (22)

From the bottom is your best bet...it takes some effort and patience though. If it just isn't going well, step away for a while and try again later. Once a bolt pisses me off I'm worthless till I settle down. Oh yeah, go with the GM gaskets...I doubt you wanna go through this again anytime soon.

Good Luck

LS1Z28_98

Well everybody, I finally got that SOB off. Getting the rear coil off was a snap, and it did open up a lot of room. I used a little 1/4 drive ratchet and the rear bolt came off in 5 minutes. Gonna have some nice scars from the edge of the valve cover, but who cares, chicks dig scars. Guess its all down hill from here.

Thanks again guys.

SLPSS01

iTrader: (6)

just remember to leave that rear coil pack stud off when you re-install and next time you need to get back there it'll be even easier.

NviouSS

iTrader: (8)

go to your local auto parts store and buy a 10mm ratchet wrench.