In a tight spot

[fine69]

First of all, I’d like to clarify - yes, I’m an idiot.
I had recently reinstalled my headers on my charger. I noticed that the front driver side didn’t look flush with the cylinder head. The bolts seemed tight so I decided to take the front two out to clean the threads and retorque them.
However, I had just bought a set of ratcheting wrenches so I thought I’d do this real quick with them. I did the very front one no problem and without turning my brain on, started taking out the second one and backed my self into a corner. The wrench is trapped between the bolt head and header tube. Aaaaaahh!!! Why do I always f**k something up?
I’ve stood here scratching my head for some time now. Does anyone have any pointers for righting my wrong?

 

[Aron Gleason]

Maybe tighten the bolt, and if you get the wrench out use a open end wrench.

 

[fine69]

Thanks for the tip. That crossed my mind however that is indeed the problem at hand…

 

[gkent]

"Maybe tighten the bolt"

He can't ... its a wratchet wrench - it has to be flipped over to turn the other way.

Losen the rest of them off so the header moves away from the head - use an "old fashion" wrench this time !!!

 

[fine69]

"Maybe tighten the bolt"

He can't ... its a wratchet wrench - it has to be flipped over to turn the other way.

Losen the rest of them off so the header moves away from the head - use an "old fashion" wrench this time !!!

View attachment 1630055

That’s what I’m talking about!
You’re the man, gkent!

 

[zyzzyx]

I ended up buying three different sets of header bolts/studs/nuts for my Hookers because of the
same thing you are going through! What a headache!

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I'm betting the reason G Kent had the answer is because he's seen it before... Once you've learned that sort of lesson you might as well be Pepperidge Farms...

 

[PRND21]

I’m thinking a small needle nose visegrip might be used to grab the shoulder of the bolt and turn it clockwise to get the wrench off. Good luck.

 

[fine69]

I’m thinking a small needle nose visegrip might be used to grab the shoulder of the bolt and turn it clockwise to get the wrench off. Good luck.

First thing I tried. There just isn’t room. I’ll have to loosen the whole manifold like gkent said.
Thanks though!

 

[kiwigtx]

Wow....that is definitely a conundrum.

 

[kiwigtx]

I’ve stood here scratching my head for some time now. Does anyone have any pointers for righting my wrong?

 

[gkent]

Before you go nuts, thread a couple of longer bolts in the end holes - these'll hold the header in place while you "do your thing" !!

 

[66 Sat]

All my ratchet wrenches have a lever to change direction. Shame yours doesn't, would have made things slightly easier.

 

[gdrill]

Chisel

 

[gkent]

All my ratchet wrenches have a lever to change direction.

Oh sure, NOW he shows us those !!!

 

[radical rob]

Been there and made same mistake. You know what to do. Loosen the rest of the header and start over

 

[WileERobby]

I'm betting the reason G Kent had the answer is because he's seen it before... Once you've learned that sort of lesson you might as well be Pepperidge Farms...

Actually... yes ! . I'd encountered that same exact problem 50 years ago. And discovered that, to do that specific job, you use an open end wrench on the inside bolt ( can't use a stud ) on the #1 cyl with Hooker headers. When you gain experience, the job is .... EASY.

 

[gkent]

50 years ago.

Hell, you mnust be my age !!

 

[kiwigtx]

Chisel

Chisel the wrench open enough to release the ratchet mechanism.

 

[66 Sat]

You could just leave it there, and tell everyone your header bolt is always coming loose so you installed a quick tightening wrench to save time.

But if it was me, I'd probably get a dremel with a cut off wheel and just slice it off...and buy the one with the lever to replace it.