The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop How I torqued the bolts on my manifold.

I had to remove the exhaust and intake manifolds in order to get to the pivot on my accelerator linkage. The pivot is located between the exhaust and block. While I had the manifolds off I noticed my exhaust manifold was cracked. (I had posted my spray welding success on another post.)

It was time to re-install but had trouble fitting the torque wrench and the socket in the small space between the exhaust and intake manifold. These are the four inner bolts that hold the manifolds onto the head. I tried a crows foot socket, but that still didn't work in the small space available. So I did some searching on the internet and found a torque wrench adapter. I happened to find just what I needed on ebay. I started with the two most inner bolts, then the next two inner bolts, and finally the outside bolts. They have a different torque spec.
When using the adapter you have to calculate for the extra length that the adapter adds to the torque wrench. I have posted pics on the internet showing the adapter and how to use it at Shutter fly:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Ibs2LFo3bseg
Hope this helps anyone else who needs to install their manifold. Some people tell me they just bolt them on without torquing, but I figure that's why I found so many cracked manifolds when I was searching for a replacement.

cool! i knew those dog bones were good for somthin'

That's how I did mine, although I did have to use a crows foot for a couple of them, as even the adapter would not fit very well due to my aftermarket intake.

I am curious as if there is another way other than the way I did it. I saw a tiny 1/4" drive that might have worked, but then I don't think it would have been high enough foot pounds, and I don't think you can get a 1/4" drive socket for 9/16. I am guessing that at the factory they had specific torque tools just for those types of applications. Sort of like those ratchet box end wrenches you can buy.

When I was still wrenchin on jets we had some torque adapters that were the same critter, just had an open end wrench head. Good for tight spots where even a box wrench is hard to get on. The length adds leverage so reduces the amount of torque you have to set the wrench at so you can use a smaller wrench, even better in small spaces.

i've always followed tightening sequence, never torqued them. Just snug and have never had a problem. I hope the same for you! (Don't forget the anti-seize)

I use a flex socket and an extension.
I'm glad you are willing to go through so much trouble to get the torque right. Most exhaust bolts are grossly over torqued.

Terms such as Snug, not too tight, just a smidge, as tight as you can get it, until the wrench start to bend, etc. are terms that really hold no relevance to anyone, besides the person making that statement, when it comes to torque.
It's like a rich man saying to a poor man about the cost of something "It's not much at all". The cost of something probably quite relevant to the person stating it. A rich man may think $200 is not much and to a poor man it might mean $20.

"Snug" means something different to a person whose biceps are as large as my wrist.

This is my first real dive into a project and I am probably being overly cautious. I am lucky to have a truck museum, The Teamster's Truck Museum in Port Coquitlam, BC, that I can stop by and get tips from the guys that restore vehicles. They told me how important it is to torque them correctly so they don't crack.

Your not being overly cautious. You are being wise.

Well said.

For the non-critical bolts,pan, timing cover bolts and hard to reach ones is use this formula,
standard open wrench, one finger =10lbs,2 fingers=20 lbs,3=30 lbs etc. fist full almost 100lbs.
has worked for me for 35 years,
try it!

Is that for a 32 year old 200 lb man or a 47 year old 300 lb man?

I doubt that he is a,
"32 year old 200 lb man"
if that formula worked for 35 years.

I guess he could be a,
"47 year old 300 lb man",
who first learned the formula as a
12 year old boy, let's say 110 lbs.

Age and weight are irrelevant....
since the formula has worked for 35 years,
at any age or any weight.