Rear Most Manifold Nut

[liddown]

End of Day One.... Lots of great progress....

We could use some tips / input on how to replace the rear most lower manifold nut? Can't get a socket to sit square on the head... I am going to try to find a 12mm Crows foot....

WHAT DID YOU USE?


Thanks......

dw and crew! Or should I say Scuba Steve and Crew.....

[bogey]

I ended up buying crows foot (feet?) set from Sears hardware. They sold a set for $40.

The local autoparts stores did not have any except a set for $15 that did not have a 12mm in it.

Be patient. With a crows foot, you can only get about 1/6 of a turn before releasing it, rotate the ratchet extension back 300 degrees and starting again.

Or you can take the starter off and make it easy...

[99mx5]

I use an open end wrench on it and swing it behind the starter

[socal pat]

I also used an open end wrench. I just removed the motor with (with the help of Miata MTF) and in doing so I had to remove the starter. #@&$&* It was not easy. They must have hired some ape to torque it on. I don't know which is harder to r/r the starter or wrestle with the nuts. Maybe if we had a relief dimple on the underside of the intake manifold it would be easier.

[mageep]

Maybe it was dumb luck, but I got it off with a socket on a universal, but by placing the socket on the nut BLINDLY (by feel) from the TOP-SIDE...

Maybe I just got lucky??

[liddown]

To funny... Went to the auto parts store found the same stupid set without a 12mm, and went to Sears to buy the entire $40 set..... Great minds.... ;-)

Will try again in the morning.....

[Scuba Steve]

I think we will be able to get it done with the 12mm crows foot. I really do not want to remove the starter. I have to say I am feeling a bit sore this evening, but it was fun. It never is easy, but the end result will be worth it ;)

[Mark]

I just tackled that nut last week. I took a spare 12mm 1/4 socket and ground off the back of it on my bench grinder. Then using a wobble extension, got both the rear bolts somewhat easily.

Measuring one of the top nut/stub combos, I know how shallow the actual socket needed to be and the spare I had sitting was perfect for this. Then looking at the back of the socket, I kept grinding until the wobble extension sat in its own little well so to speak.

M.

[bogey]

I went through the "grinding down a socket" phase before breaking down and buying crows foot. I could not get the socket to fit.

[John Miles]

For installing the bottom nuts on the new manifold, I used a normal open-ended wrench on the nut, holding the wrench in-line with the bolt and turning it with a Crescent wrench. Really rough on the fasteners, but who cares as long as they're tight? If they are ever removed, it won't be me doing the work. :)

Removal of the stock intake manifold is easier than it looks, because a long socket extension will actually reach the nuts if you know where to aim it. Unfortunately, my first attempt resulted in removal of a hollow bolt near the oil-pressure sender. :censored:

[MX-Drew]

I used a 12mm wobble socket as supplied to be by Tom when I stayed there (thanks Tom it was a real life saver). The socket was on a 6" extension and I but it on blindly from above.

Number three nut, I used the same socket on a very long extension through the wheel arch.

[ScottA]

I used a wobble extenson for the back lower one and a crowsfoot for the 2nd from rear lower one. No issues other than paitence. Some places have a flare nut crowsfoot that looks like it would be more secure than the open crowsfoot, and I will try one of those next time.

[ScottA]

I did both those blind from the top ,but it is nice to have a spotter under the car to tell you when you are square with the nut on the 2nd from the rear lower one.

[maggie]

Two people and the wobble extension was all I needed. The manifold was off in less than ten minutes. The second person under the car was the trick.