T-stat housing bolt help

[Dtowncats]

I am doing a timing chain cover gasket and in the process of putting everything back together. I am having trouble getting to the bottom bolt with a wrench. The plug for the distributor and the top water pump bolt is in the way. Is there a way to move the distributor out of the way because I don't want to have to take off the accessory bracket? Or would it just be better to take the acc. bracket off? Thanks

 

[Blk91stang]

It's a tight fit but I was always able to get a wrench down there and turn it 1/16 at a time. Yes it takes a while but only a couple minutes. Also try a socket and universal.

 

[2000xp8]

You can mark the distriuber and turn it a bit, then move it back. Just be careful you put it back in the same place.

 

[Sicarius428]

I cheated and used arp 12 point bolts so its easy to get lined up without moving too much.
Kevin

 

[HISSIN50]

Along the lines of what Kevin did, it seems like an allen head bolt would work well in that location too.

I also remove it 1/64th of a turn at a time with a box end. I cant remember if a ratcheting-box-end helped or not.

Good luck.

 

[boomr]

I would tighten the bolt finger tight with needle nose pliers. There is a raised edge on the bolt, around the outer edge, I could grip that with the needle nose pliers and snug up the bolt and than use a 1/4" drive universal and appropriate socket. This procedure always worked pretty good for me.

 

[sunil6784]

I took a real old 1/2" wrench and cut it with a dremel tool. It was a lot easier to tighten with a shorter wrench.

 

[rd]

I put allen head bolts on the thermostat housing, and use a ball end allen wrench to turn them.

Otherwise, set the engine up at TDC no 1 and just pull the dist, and put it back in later. Mark the dist location first. This should get it running and you can time it later if needed.