bananamber

I'm working on my '68 Ninety-Eight with a 455, I need to pull the heads to free the seized pistons but I'm having major trouble with the exhaust manifold. There's just no room for me to unbolt them. The upper suspension arms are screwing me over, there's no room for a socket wrench so I have to subsist on beating a wrench on or using a pair of vice grips. Neither is working, I'm just rounding off the bolt heads.

Is it possible to pull the heads with the exhaust manifolds still installed? I'll cut the heads off the bolts if I have to, but I have to order a new die grinder to do so, and the less money spent, the better.

Thanks!

Sugar Bear

Not certain, but I think you can pull the heads with the manifolds attached. Anyone done this?

My concern is that the dipstick tube is in the way on the driver's side and could easily be broken off while trying to maneuver and remove the head and manifold combination, that is another can of worms you don't really want to fix.

Removing the exhaust manifold especially on the left side will pay off, be patient using heat or penetrating oil. Have had success with forcing six point 14mm wrenches and sockets onto rusted 9/16" hex heads to reduce the chance of rounding the flats.

Good luck!!!

442Harv

Why not loossen the heads, and lift them enought to get to the exhaust bolts, and then remove them?

joe_padavano

At that point just pull the heads and manifolds together.

jcdynamic88

should probably be removing the engine assembly.

Greg Rogers

Yep, if you have to unsieze pistons you should pull whole engine will be much easier and plenty of room. Good luck.

Sugar Bear

X3 on pulling the engine for that project.