I'm trying to remove the exhaust manifold bolts on my '67 firebird (Pontiac 400) engine. The problem is, none of my sockets or wrenches seem to fit. I've tried 6 side sockets, 12 side sockets, wrenches, etc. and every 9/16" is too big, every 1/2" is too small.. I've even tried metric.
The bolt heads I tried are fine, not rounded over, and are not obstructed by anything, either (none of those pinched metal brackets, etc)
Is there a certain brand tool you can recommend, or any other tip/ tricks would be appreciated.
There is some new style wrenchs out there that grab on the flat side of bolt heads, or if ya really have to there are some special sockets out there for use on hard to get out bolts and nuts, they are tapered and clamp down when you wrench on them.. Sears has them. would probally have to replace bolts then.. otherewise are your wrenchs spreading apart as you try to loosen them, maybe week wrenchs..
Obviously, it should be 1/2" or 9/16". Either they are 1/2 with enough corrosion so you can't get a socket on, or corroded away 9/16. Try pounding on a 1/2" socket.
I've purchased from Sears today those "bolt/ nut" extracting sockets. Hopefully those will work. Apparently, they don't sell the line of "Metrinch" products anymore.
I agree, they should be common sizes, and probably are. I'll try pounding those extracting sockets if I can't pound on a regular one first.
I'm all for new fasteners even if I didn't have this issue.
Do the exhaust manifold bots still have their retainers? By that I mean they may still have a piece of metal behind the bolt head, with two tabs folded over the facets of the bolt head. They came that way from the factory to keep the bolts from backing out.
