Is there a trick to getting to the last header bolt on the passenger side towards the rear of the car? I am 6"4" and have big hands and i really have to try to get back there for that. Any tips would be great.

 

I've found that when using headers on a sbc I get the small head bolts-think they're 7/16" head on 'em. Anyways, if you use a crow foot you can get them as tight as you want- easily. You only get about a1/4-1/2 turn at a time and must reset the crow foot, but about the only feasible way to tighten them down.

For those that dont know what a crow foot is, simply put it appears you've cut the open end off a wrench and it has a spot to stick in a 3/8" drive extension or ractchet in. Buy the better brand stuff too as the cheaper china made wants to deflect/open up and will easily strip the bolt head.

 

stick out your tounge... squint one eye... and twist your nose to one direction... that should help some!!!

It is hard to get to... I had to get to mine from the bottom and it was still tough.

 

I use the small head header bolts as well. Much more room to work with all around.

Take a small box end or open end wrench the size you need and simply cut it down.....

I've got one specifically for this..it was a cheapy wrench, I just torched it and snapped it basically in half.

Then rounded the end with the grinder.

 

I ended up finding a 3 inch open ended 7/16 at Home Depot I think... works really well.

 

the trick?....? its called PATIENCE

really though if you try hard enough and long enough you will eventually get it. i started at the back bolt and worked my way forward. that helped me install the 3 pairs of headers i have installed before.

 

from the bottom is the least stressful. you might have to drop the starter to get your hand up there, but you can at least get to the bolt.

 

3/8" header bolts.

the standard 7/16" head header bolts are too big to give you enough room.


also if you take a old wrench, and bend it in the middle so its curved, its easier.

 

Could always undo the motor mount bolt on that side and jack up the engine a little. It isn't too hard to do usually.