Fumble fingers here needs a little advice. I took off the intake and exhaust manifolds to install a much needed new gasket. The problem is that all 6 cylinders have tubes in the center of the exhaust pipes that stick into the engine about 2". This prevents me from putting on a new gasket, because these tubes cleare the engine, but there is not enough room in the engine bay to also clear the mounting studs.

I should unbolt the down pipes from the header. But they are so rusty, I am afraid I will break them off and then I will have to go to a shop and pay big bucks to have them fix my mess. Also, is there a gasket between the header and down pipe?

If I unbolt the tailpipe at the down pipe connection, I "may" have enough wiggle room to lift out the exhaust header and clean up the block. I may need 3 or 4 arms to do it that way.

Any and all comments are appreciated,

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

Boy if those things stick into the engine 2" the 75 is a LOT different from
earlier models. Is this on exhaust or intake? I've seen tubes on the intake,
but usually they were only ½" long. When you get it all the way loose,
maybe you can take a pic of it and post it. I'm curious. I thought I knew
all about B30s but that is strange to me!

Yes there ARE gaskets between the manifolds and downpipes.

Should not be a problem getting the down pipes loose because they use special
alloy nuts that don't corrode. I agree that P'Blaster is in order.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

...and even if you do break anything off getting the downpipe undone, once the manifold's out of the car it's fairly easy to extract the broken studs & replace them, whether you do it yourself or have a shop do it for you. I don't think you'll have too much grief there though.
--
Chris, Dartmouth NS Canada 70 M-B 280SE, 83 245DL, 84 244 turbo, 90 780 turbo, 92 VW Golf

The nuts all came off very easy this afternoon.
Thank you very much.

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

Advised my PHIL S to disconnect the down pipe and use lots of PB Blaster.
Wheee, this is going to be fun! And dirty!

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)