Hey all, I recently replaced my head gasket and decided to get a banks exhaust manifold. I am able to hand tighten all the bolts for both the intake and exhaust, however bolt #1 (second one in from the back) I am having clearance issues getting a socket on it due to the manifold pipe being at a slight angle compared to the stock one. Anyone had this issue with a banks exhaust manifold?

What kind of sockets/wrenches are you using? My Snap-on stuff always fits where non pro tools don't. If you are super close to getting the tool onto the fastener, borrow or buy the one size you need in a pro version.

are you using a short socket or a mid length?

I'm using craftsman socket, have tried both deepwell and regular and both hit the side tube of the manifold. I've tried from the top and bottom of the car and still can't get either socket on it. I'm always at a slight angle trying to get it on the bolt head.

Snap on makes a super short socket. That could work. Do you have access to a universal joint adapter for your socket?

Don't think it's the depth of the socket that is the problem, it's the side clearance. Yes, I have swivel adapters.

Gotcha. How about a thin wrench? It's hard to tell from the pic if that would be better.

I was able to finally get it... I was using 14mm sockets, which fit the bolts heads perfectly and switched over to a 9/16 socket. There is slightly more play on the bolt head with the 9/16 which allowed me to fit it on the bolt head 90% of the way. I used a light up top to see the bolt through the intake, climbed into the car and reached below with my 3/8 ratchet and swivel. Can't get a torque wrench on it so I'll just have to approximate.

Picture shows the slight angle my socket sits at because of the tube clearance. When they manufactured it they could have made that exhaust tube routed a little more to the left like the stock exhaust manifold.