This project is a real PITA. Okay, I've the strut brace, the plenum, the TB all off, and I'm looking at the EGR valve. There are 2 bolts holding it to the intake manifold and one bolt to the side with a wire coming out of it. The problem is that no matter which angle I attack these bolts at, I cannot get at them.

Anyone have any suggestions? Hints? Anything? I'm tempted to just remove the runners and fuel rails, but that's uncharted territory for me. Any way I can remove the EGR without taking them off?

Ha.. this is so frustrating, I'm tempted to just have the thing towed to the mechanic at this point -- nah, I really want to do this job myself, especially if all I need to do is give that WD40 more time to soak through to the bolt.

------------------
Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods

 

The sensor (thats the one with the wire) you dont have to get off while its on the car. It will be much easier if you remove the runners, but you dont have to mess with the fuel rails. Once the runners are off it should be pretty easy to get it off of the manifold.

 

Thanks. I tried removing the runners, but I cannot get to the bottom bolts without removing the valve covers. So, am I going to have to jack up the car, drain the oil, and remove the valve covers, or can i somehow work around that?

Also, I cannot seem to find a wrench that fits the EGR bolts. I'm pretty sure it's a 3/8", however my 3/8" box wrench slips on it whenever I try to turn. I tried metric as well -- 10mm is too big, 9mm, too small.

It's dark now, so I'm just gonna sleep on it and get a fresh start in the AM. If anyone can give me some advice, I'd be very greatly. Thanks.

------------------
Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods

 

Yea, they are 3/8".
Why cant you get off the lower runner bolts without taking off the valvecovers? Aftermarket parts?
And you dont need to drain the oil to take off the valvecovers.

 

I thought the valve covers were stock, but they do seem a bit high. Perhaps someone switched them. As for the oil, I just assumed it'd have to be drained since the oil is added through one of them.

I've got the bolts soaking in WD40 now. Hopefully tomorrow I can free them up. Thanks for the help.



------------------
Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods

 

You may need a universal joint on the socket to get the bolts out, but its usually easier if you dont use one.

 

Well, I took your advice and removed the runner bolts. But it looks like the damn things are glued on there or something (hopefully no one used those gluey liquid gaskets on it in the past). On the passenger side there were 3 bolts on the exterior, and one on the interior. On the driver's side I only found 3 bolts, all exterior. Neither of the runners will budge at all. Should I just keep yanking, or am I missing something here?

------------------
Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods

 

There are 6 bolts at the bottom half of each set of runners. Sounds like you are missing some. There is one on each side of the set of 2 near the top outside corners, and one in the middle in the bottom between the 2 close runners. So you should have a total of 12 bolts from the bottoms of the runners when you are done taking them all out.

 

Just get a cheap 3/8 box wrench, put in vice and bend it to a 90 degree angle. Just like distributer wrench.