I'm trying to reinstall the stock exhaust manifold on an 80 SA. How do you access the 2 top nuts to tighten them?
Seems near impossible to get a socket or wrench on them...
Must you remove the intake manifold in order to reach them?
Thanks.

 

A few weeks ago I installed the exhaust and intake manifolds on my 1979. Even with the engine out of the car, I had to install the thermal reactor first, It was still a pain. I think I might have used a swivel on my ratchet.

Mazda has a special wrench.

 

I removed the stock thermal reactor and installed a Rotary Engineering header shortly after I bought my 1980 SA 40+ years ago.

I am 99% sure I used a swivel socket as well. I did not have to remove the intake to access the top 2 nuts.

 

there is a thread somewhere here, but i had good luck bending a wrench by just using the stove to heat it up, and putting it in a gap of the pavers and stepping on it

 

Swivel elbow on the socket will do it. Used successfully with removal/install reactor on rebuild. If not too late, highly recommend Pineappleracing.coms set of copper nuts to use in place of stock!

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

I'd hope they are a copper alloy. Copper itself is so soft, I'd be afraid they may be prone to rounding off if you needed to remove them later. I always use copper anti-seize on threaded fasteners that are exposed to heat. A small can will last for years.

 

Thanks fellas. I was trying a 3/8" swivel on a normal/short sized 14mm but struggling to get a sufficiently good grip that didn't fall off when tightening. I'll keep trying. It seems like a 1/4" might work better but I don't have one of those...

I remember reading a thread on here when I removed them a few years ago but I haven't been able to find it. I also distinctly remember thinking that I should write down how I did it and the tools I used... Sigh...

 

If you don't mind me asking?

Why do you want to install back a 40 y/o thermal reactor back on the SA?

 

Are you using a 3/8" universal and a 14mm socket?

Maybe try using a 14mm swivel socket. It's a relatively inexpensive investment and should make the job much easier.

 

Dunno, but Rob is pretty sharp with rotaries (they do builds), and its specific for heat applications/headers. Have a set (well, not installed. Of course, Banzai

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

Still needs an Emissions test here

 

THIS is the ticket in my reactor install! Nice...
Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

Wow... Didn't know such a unicorn existed!
That's probably the right tool here if I can't get it to work another way.

 

Emissions and it's not in scope for this car. Just trying to get it up and running again for a friend. He'll probably sell it afterwards. It's a pretty clean car although slightly rusty in some spots underneath and he's had it 20 years or so.

 

Oh...ok....totally forgot that not all the states are like Texas.....no emissions for cars over 25 years old.....