Cant get to 1 head bolt to torque down! HELP!

[Cobra351]

I have the 351W in my 95 Cobra and I can not get to the short head bolt at the back closest to the firewall. The freaking brake booster is in the way.Tried a swivel on the end of the socket, but it does not seem to want to hold, keeps slipping off.Also not sure if it will give me a true torque reading. To move the power brake booster I have to go through the freekin dash because that looks like thats where the bolts that mount the booster are.
Has anyone ran into this problem before? Has to be a way around this.Any help very much appreciated.

 

[jmuva44]

I know this isnt how you are supposed to do it and it "may" but not likely, cause you problems later on....but I would just get an open ended wrench and lightly close down on the bolts already tightened and get a good feel for how firm they are. Then go and tighten the back one to feel the same. It likely wont be to the torqued specs but I think as long as you dont extremely overtighten it or undertighten it, it will be fine. The main idea behind torquing is to keep the bolt from backing out and to keep even pressure along the gasket. One bolt that is pretty darn close most likely will be fine.

Post a pic of your situation if you can....that may help us come up with better ideas.

 

[Cobra351]

Thanks much. I will try to post a pic tomorrow after work.

 

[95GTeee]

I agree with JMUVA44 and have done it before myself. Get a box wrench on that thing and get it close! Use the same method he said and FEEL the tightness - duplicate the same feeling on the tough one. This matters even less on a stock iron head - but needs tighter tolerances on aluminum heads. Good luck, and post some picks if ya can!

 

[rockin_rick]

maybe you could jack/lift the motor? At least for me, I'd do whatever it took to properly torque that down. I'd worry about it all the time if I didn't... But, I really don't know if it matters. I think that a swivel does effect torque readings, but I'm not sure how much.

Rick

 

[1105]

Any extension or swivel will affect the toqrue reading so its best if you can get away without using them at all. If you have to, adjust the setting on the torque wrench a little higher to pick up the slack from the extension and swivels.

 

[Hobbs4ut]

a motor is just a big stupid hunk of metal...........sometimes you just gotta treat it like a big stupid hunk of metal

No splitting of atoms allowed under the hood! Gronk that thing down until it "Feels" as tight as the others and get on with your life man!!!

 

[Cobra351]

Well I finally got it. I went to a few auto shops and found a socket that would just let me clear the Brake booster with some finess All torqued down. headers are hooked back up and accesseries all back in place. set the valves get the intake and injection all hooked back up and i will be ready for a TEST RUN Of course it is snowing here in Ohio
Thanks for all the replies.