Anyone have any insight into getting the exhaust manifold heat shield that bolts into the motor to come off? I know its the two 13mm bolts up top but the heads of them are so unbelievably shallow and the shield so close to the bolts that I cant find a tool that will come close to working.

 

You obvious do not have the right tool. Try 6 point socket instead of 12. Also fineness matters if it is not all too late beyond the point of no return.

 

So the bigger issue I'm running into is being able to get the socket all the way onto the head of the bolt. The distance from the head of the bolt to the side of the shield is crazy tight. Which, of course, means go get a thin walled socket

 

Get a hammer and tap on the socket might give you more bite which is what I did. You should not complain being in CA as opposed in TO, Detroit, or Jersey.

 

You shouldn't have any issue getting a socket on them, the only cars I've had to at times jump over to a 13mm open end are those that have RMW headers on them because the heat shield had to be bent up a bit to clear the runners.

I use a 3/8" ratchet that has a pivot head and a deep 13mm, no issues.

 

Is the heat shield crinkled to a point where the are pushing up around the bolt. I'm trying to understand your point of using a thin walled socket? I am able to use a 6-point socket or ratchet wrench with no problem.

 

That is my exact point of using a hammer to drive home.

With anything exhaust you typically only get one chance and you never want to squander it.

 

The heat shield stuff is pretty soft and malleable so compressing it to get better access for the socket would be logical to me. Would think a little larger socket would be step one and then go with the correct size.

 

Soft is an understatement. When I added my lower shifter extension to further shorten my shift throw, I used the ball end of a ball peen hammer like an english wheel to allow space for the shifter tail to move around.

I seriously think I've bitten into an Airhead taffy that was stouter stuff!

 

I ran down and grabbed a 6pt from my neighbor. Whoever put it on last time had it on crazy tight. But all is well now and its off. Now to get it all out of the bay. Thanks guys

 

Put a little anti-seize on the threads so you won't incur the problem next time.

 

Haha gotta get to that point first. Replacing the lower heat shield is turning into the biggest nightmare known to man

 

Are you having problems with the one bolt, or the rubber feet the heat shield slides into?

Question: Why are you removing the heat shields: Oil Filter Housing gasket, or the manifold?

 

You are not going to be able to remove it from the bay unless you're taking off the exhaust manifold, the best you can do is to move them both out of the way. Are you replacing the oil filter housing gasket?

 

the rubber feet are giving me hell and I can’t seem to get them on. :(