81" 280zx tURBO intake removal

[ScaryFast]

I am relpacing the intake/exhaust manifold gasket on an 81 280zx turbo How does one remove the bolts on the under side of the intake?

[kyteler]

I recently tried to remove the Int/Exh Manifolds from a FI Skyline head and it proved frustrating to say the least, in the end I took the entire head off and that made it easier but the nuts were still a right bastard to get to.

You might be able to weasle an open ended spanner in underneath and turn the bolts a ¼ turn at a time. You could try a ring spanner, but I didn't have one with a thin enough ring on it and thus it wouldn't fit over the nut.

If you like I can go and take a picture of whereabouts they sit if it makes it any easier for you.

[2ManyZs]

I've got a set of the "wobble" 3/8 drive extensions that work fairly well for getting onto the "hidden" ones under the intake/exhaust. At times, I've had to use two of them connected together to get the right angle so to get the socket on the nuts, but, with these, you can apply a lot more force than you can with the swivel sockets which will bind up and you can't apply enough force to break the nuts loose.

It's either that, or try to use a box end wrench if at all possible, and open end can/will round off the nuts if you aren't careful, especially when working semi-blind as you are under the manifolds.......

[ScaryFast]

No picture will be necessary, but thank you. I finally got the piece of crap off. I went to the store a bought a small make-up mirror and used it along with a flood light so I could see the bolts. I guess I was lucky that the bolts were in only finger tight, but I would not have to be doing this if they wern't.

Thank you for your help

Owen