Exhaust manifold

[handi_andi]

Afternoon all
I am in the process of taking the head off my TC due to a blown head gasket. I have managed to remove 7 out of the 8 exhaust manifold bolts but the rear one on cylinder 2 is defeating me. I just can't seem to get a spanner or socket onto it due to the exhaust pipe curving out of the flange. Is there a trick to removing this bolt and if so what is it? I had thought about using a crow foot spanner but would need to go buy one and don't want to go to that expensive if it si not the solution.
Thanks
Andrew

[handi_andi]

Have managed to finally remove the last exhaust manifold bolt and have removed all 10 head bolts. It feels like the head is still bolted down and I can't help noticing the two small vertical bolts at the bottom of the top part of the timing chain cover. Do these two bolts need to be removed as well to get the head off as there is no mention of them in the workshop manual?

Thanks

Andrew

[JJDraper]

Yes, Yes!!

Don't do anything else until these have been removed!

Jeremy

[JJDraper]

Attached piccie of new Cylinder Head gasket beng fitted, two smaller bolts, position indicated by yellow circles, must be removed. You will need a new cork gasket for this joint as well. Note the use of old cut down head bolts to position the head gasket when refitting.

Jeremy

[handi_andi]

Thanks. Little dark to get them out now but will remove as soon as possible Thanks for the picture.
Andy

[JJDraper]

Oops, in my haste to post, I forgot to show the the third bolt!

Jeremy

[handi_andi]

Is the third bolt accessible from the top or underneath? Knew there was a good reason for stopping and asking. Can't believe the Lotus workshop manual doesn't make any mention of them in the section on removing the head LOL
Andy

[carrierdave]

The middle bolt come's out from the top - You should see it at the front when you removed the cam cover.

[ppnelan]

Can't believe the Lotus workshop manual doesn't make any mention of them in the section on removing the head

My Elan workshop manual says (Section E.10 p.13):
"9. Release the cylinder head bolts...not forgetting the bolts in the timing cover..."

Matthew

[handi_andi]

Well I think you have a later copy of it than I, since E10 on page 14 in mine simply states "10. Release the cylinder head bolts evenly and progressively working diagonally from the centre and remove the cylinder head together with the gasket. Do NOT lay hte cylinder head flat on its face while the camshafts are still fitted as this will CAUSE DAMAGE to the valves."

Andy

[RobL7/Elan]

Andy,

Also I have found that "Payen" head gaskets seat better than others I have tried. Also consider new head bolts that torque up better. I have had great results with ARP head bolts on several rebuilds. They are available from Bean and others. Don't forget to re-torque after a few 100 miles.

Rob

[bcmc33]

Perhaps I'm out of touch, but isn't it a bad idea to fix the exhaust manifold with bolts (or more likely screws)?

The exhaust manifolds of all the old cars I've mainatined over the years were fitted over studs and fixed with brass nuts.

I've no idea what modern cars have, so am I just an old stick-in-the-mud and shoud chage my ideas?

BTW the manifolds I am about to remove to paint are held in by brass nuts, and I've no intention of changing.

[handi_andi]

You are ok Brian you haven't lost your marbles just yet. It was bad description on my part. They were in fact 8 brass buts on 8 steel studs as one would expect. I was just typing quickly as I was trying to make maximum use of the daylight before I had to get the headtorch out

Andy