I was going to install my rb header and presilencer today and I ran into some problems. I got the exhaust off all the way to the thermal reactor (from the back, including the thermal reactor). That was a bitch but all is well in that department. I removed the air pump, installed my acv block off plate, and removed the heat shields.

Then I moved to the exhaust manifold, I can get three of the nuts off, but I have found it impossible to get the fourth off. It is the one on the top left, I can fit a socket over it but can not put a wrench in the socket because the manifold itself is in the way. I can't just use a normal wrench because there are obsticles on all sides of the nut. So are there any tricks or special tools I need to get this stuborn nut off? Also, it is a 12mm nut (top left) and the rest are 14mm, is that correct or has somebody messed with my car before?

I had to call it quits for tonight (working in a friends garage) , so I reinstalled the 3 nuts on the exhaust manifold and started it up and it was extremely loud, I put the presilencer on and it helped ever so slightly.

I had to drive home w/out exhaust on my car in constant fear of getting a ticket, and I have to be somewhere at 6 in the morning tom. So I have to drive again without exhaust on my car. The car is running a little rough, I know I have a vac. leak somewhere, but I haven't been able to find it. Is there anything else I need to block off besides the acv?? Could somebody give me some passenger side pics of a car w/ only headers installed?

Any help is appreciated and I need some fast.

-Marques

 

Ok so I meant thermal reactor, not exhaust manifold...

-Marques

 

use a torch and weld/cut it off

 

Alright I was a little unclear when I was writing (it was a little late last night). I mixed up the heat exchanger and the thermal reactor. So it is the thermal reactor that I can't get the last bolt off of, one of the four bolts that attaches it to the engine, so I doubt i can cut that stud off. The heat exchanger is off, and has been replaced by the presilencer. I really need to get this done today.

-Marques

 

first you need to take the intake manifold off, or buy mazdas special tool to get that bolt off


your vacuum leak is probably your ACV block off, when I put mine on it leaked. Pull it off again, clean it up really good, and reapply it with alot of sealant. while your at it. take the studs out and put in some bolts, it will seal better.

 

Maybe this will help you out.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...t=magic+socket

 

I ended up taking my car to a shop to get that thermal reactor off, they used a swivel socket similar to the one that Wankelguy used. That bolt is probably the single most ignorant bolt that I have encountered on my car thus far.

I have to replace my clutch soon, so I'll probably be cursing the 54mm flywheel nut after that.

 

The nuts at the top of the thermal reactor on 79/80 SA22's are the most difficult things to get off of there out of just about every bolt/nut/screw on the car. The only way that I was able to get the one off of my 80LS was to use one 1/2" drive socket U-joint put together with a 14mm U-joint socket. This combined with turning the nut 1/16 turn at a time, and I was able to get the thermal reactor off. Never again.

Once you go to a header setup, this is so much easier to work with. You might want to look into the exhaust manifold for an 81-85 12a engine car, which I believe to be easier to mount/dismount if you have to get emissions checks in your area.

My 84SE (in the photos) has a RB header installed, but the stock exhaust manifold of the 84/85 SE's was very good in that once the heatshields were removed, any socket wrench would reach the nuts holding the exhaust manifold in place. It's like they designed it to be a shoebox hanging off the side of the motor that the exhaust dumps out into, then downpipe to the cats. HTH,

 

Alright so I am not a fool for not being able to get this damn thing off, that if comforting. What is this special tool you speak of streetracer? I really would like to get this done myself, i hate when other people touch my cars unless they are just there helping me.

-Marques

 

1 more question, why is my nut a 12mm and not a 14mm, it is the only one of the 4 that is like that.....is this normal?

-Marques

 

all I did was soak the crap out of it with PB blaster and got a wobble joint for my 3/8 ratchet. Once you hook your 14 mm socket on there, you're golden.

that's my method, anyway...

 

umm... NO

 

SUCCESS!!!!!!

I put a wrench on the nut (had about 1cm to turn the end of the wrench, angled towards the rear of the car) and did not have enough room to get leverage. So i decided, why the hell not, and grabbed a 2x4 and put it on the end of the wrench, then hit the 2x4 w/ a mallet. Knocked the wrench off the nut but still broke it free, then proceded to go back and forth between 2 wrenches at about 1/16th of a turn until i got it loose enough to get w/ my fingers.

Oh yeah, open headers = kinda loud

Thanks for the help everyone.

-Marques