CrAzYNeSs

Hey everyone,

I've been trying to install the hondata gasket and ran into a small problem and was wondering if any of you guys knew (who've done this or not) to remove these last two bolts. They are the actual bolts that hold the intake manifold to the block, bottom, 2nd to the last bolt. The intake tubing is thicker than the actual socket wall so it wont let me have a perfect mate with the bolt. Are there actually thinner 12mm sockets with thin walls for this purpose? Its driving me nuts.....

help me.....

-Jeff

bluesaint

get a wrench in there from the bottom, then use a rope from the top to pull it.

Ludedude

There is such a thing as thinwall sockets sold; whether they're thin enough for your needs is not something I know the answer to though.

RedY2KS2k

1/4 inch drive sockets are thinner than 3/8" drive sockets.

I checked a 1/4" MAC 12 mm versus the 3/8" drive 12mm and the difference in O.D. is somewhere around .025".

Of course, the 1/4" sockets and drive handles are not as strong, so if the bolts require substantial torque this may not help.

trich1687

I did this job a few weeks ago, it SUCKS! use a 1/4 drive and a universal imeadiatlly after the socket, then a 3" extension, another universal , then 8" extension, then ratchet. You may need someone to guide the socket as you reach over from the side. you need to go from under the manifold but not from under the car, access is from the driver side fender area. I doubt you would ever be able to use a wrench! I also used a 3/8" spring type flexible extension with an adaptor to use the 1/4" drive socket. this worked on some but not all. Good luck, have patience

swtazn97

trich has the right idea

Be extreamly careful removing those last two bolts; you don't want to strip it or you'll be sorry.

it's been awhile since I've done the install, but i remember i used soemthing like this too

use a 1/4'' - 12mm built-in ujoint socket. 3in extention followed by a unjoint extention then a 6in extention, then a 1/4in to 3/8 coupler so you can use a bigger ratchet for more torque removing the nuts duct tape all joints so they don't fall into the engine bay Have a partner hold the socket in place firmly and the extentions and you should be able to remove those nuts. use some liquid wrench too.

mice

We (4 Coconut tree mechanics) used a Snap-On 12mm box wrench along with a combination of 12mm standard socket, a 3/8" universal joint 3" extension, another 3/8" universal joint a 6" extension to a ratchet wrench. A tag team effort was employed in removing and installing intake manifold nuts for a Hondata gasket on a friends S2k.

Or even better, found this out after we did the install. I don't know what tool is called but Snap-On makes a short thin socket with a 3/8" drive universal joint attached directly to it. You then can add an extension to it. Aircraft (Helicopter) mechanics use this tool to get into tight spaces to remove and torque nuts/bolts.

The down side. Snap-On products are expensive. I don't know if any other tool company makes socket/universal as I described. You'll have to check around.