Changing intake/exhaust gasket on '83 motor

[jezze]

Not urgent but it would be nice to have my exhaust/intake manifold gasket changed this weekend. My car is a 1971Z, which recently under went the turbo swap. The motor in it now is the 1983 ZXT motor with the webbed intake manifold. For those who know, getting to the bolts that hold the intake and exhasut on a SU carbed motor are easy to take out, since getting your fingers between the runners is possible. However, with the webbed manifold there is no where to access the bolts.

My question here is this: is the webbed fuel injected manifold bolted to the head the same way as the carbed style? On the SU carbed style manifold there are several bolts that hold both the intake and exhaust manifolds to the head using the same studs, is this the case with the fuel-injected manifold, or is the exhaust and intake manifold bolts and studs completely seperate of each other with the fuel-injected style?

Basically I'm trying to avoid using a cherry-picker. Well I hope I described this so it can be understood, thank you in advance for any responses. Jesse.

[280~Master]

My question here is this: is the webbed fuel injected manifold bolted to the head the same way as the carbed style? On the SU carbed style manifold there are several bolts that hold both the intake and exhaust manifolds to the head using the same studs, is this the case with the fuel-injected manifold, or is the exhaust and intake manifold bolts and studs completely seperate of each other with the fuel-injected style?

The SU manifold and the webbed manifold bolt on pretty much the same way but they are not exactly the same. The fuel injection manfiold does share studs between the intake and exhaust. You have about 4 nuts on the bottom of the webbing that are the hardest to get off. The last 2 nuts from 4 then 5&6 are the hardest to get to. They are 12mm or 14mm I think. Then you have the bolts up top which are pretty easy to get off. Now for the ones under the manifold you will need 1 short extention, 2 long extentions and a swivle for better fitment. If you have large hands you might need a smaller set to help guide the socket onto the nuts. Becareful not to break any for this will make for very long and upsetting day.

[RogerZ]

I think it might be easier to pull the head. You have to take off just about as much stuff as if you are changing gaskets. If you bust a stud probably take the head off anyway. Just did my head gasket etc on 83zxt. Son and I were able to take off the head with manifold and turbo in place using a 4x4 cantilivered off the loft in my garage. One person can move but probably want two to move any distance. Get a complete head gasket set you get the gaskets plus the oil seals for the vavles which if you haven't done that might as well saves oil.

[280~Master]

Me and HLS30 did an intake pull in the local pick and pull not to long ago and did it in about an hour. We had the intake off then the turbo then the head. You can do it with the head on if you take your time.

[RogerZ]

You must be double jointed I couldn't see any way to get the manifolds off that my hands would fit in there but maybe I didn't try hard enough. Had to change the head gasket so !!!!!!!! plus like I said you bust a stud you are probably pulling the head anyway.

[280~Master]

Not double jointed been working on these cars for sometime and have taken many of them off. I guess I just know exactly where they are under the manifold. I do have medium sized hands so this helps. Have busted studs and used an easyout with head still on the car.

[jezze]

Oh busting studs is no bueno at all, I don't even want to think about it. I did a L28 swap on a buddy's car recentley and who ever busted the studs on the head before I got to it did a number on it. The person tried to get the studs out with carbide easy-outs. I know they are carbide because trying to drill into the damaged area laughed at me when I tried heat and a cobalt drill. I had to buy two $20 carbide drill bits to get the broken carbide pieces out.

It sounds like it is possible to pull the gasket without pulling the motor, so I will just go for it. My girlfriend is ragging on me anyway, so a visit with Dad and a weekend wrenching on the car will do me some good. Thanks for all the feed back. This site and its members are all so cool.