help! impossible driver's side header bolt

I installed a set of DNA Motoring headers on my truck but I am unable to cinch down the bolt closest to the head in this photo.




I'm running out of ideas fast and short of pulling the head I have no idea how I'm going to be able to get this without pulling the head. I was able to get it a bit past finger tight with some stubby wrenches, but there isn't really room to turn them to get it any tighter. The left side is too close to the tube for a box wrench to fit over and the right side the bolt is too close to the tube for a box to fit over as well. due to the way it is positioned I can't get the open end on the head to tighten it any further (the proximity to the tube means the larger side of the crescent must always be towards the head. You can get a socket on there but there isn't enough room for a ratchet. I bought a 3/8" drive T bar (mini breaker bar) and it fits but there isn't enough room to turn it.

My last resort is trying to replace the bolt with a cap head style one that accepts an allen wrench but I'm pessimistic about that.

Help!

inb4 "should have bought better quality stuff. X brand would have been WAY better"

 

Have you tried a swivel socket extention tough to tell in the pic If theres enough room!

 

yep. the swivel is long enough that it hits the tube and then the socket no longer sits square and twists off when any force is applied

 

Dam

 

Long extension won't work?

 

the knuckle joint or any extension will hit the crossover tube and keep the socket from sitting square, then it twists off. Maybe I can throw a zip tie around the socket/tube to hold it in place while I put torque on it but I doubt it.

 

Racheting box end wrench.

 

How did you get it off?

 

I mentioned that a regular box wrench doesn't fit on either side

The ratcheting box is even larger so I know that it won't fit.

 

The factory manifold was designed differently so I had no issues just using a ratchet and deep socket IIRC

 

Yeah, I figure that out after looking again.

 

I can try and get some better pics tomorrow.

 

1/2"drive thin walls?

 

1/4 breaker and socket on one side

, the other looks like it'll take a box end, if a ratchet type won't work, a 12 sided one might.​

 

a 1/4 drive socket on the right side may actually work

 

If I can find a 16mm 1/4" drive socket

 

Replace the bolt you are trying to use with a grade 8 one with a smaller head. Use a locking type wave washer on one side to bite into the header flange and help hold it in place.

You'll need to go to a 3/8 drive to get to a 16mm socket size.

 

@thefatkid

 

Socket cap?

 

Weld one side and rotate the other with a thin wall box wrench.