Replacing the cylinder head on my '01 xj. Have it all apart, waiting on new parts to arrive. I was able to get the bolt out using a box wrench, but couldn't get any combination of sockets on there because of that dang firewall.

Anyone have tips or tricks for getting a torque wrench on it when I put it back together?

 

This isn't a great solution, but I didn't really have a say in this one. So while replacing my head, I noticed that someone hammered the firewall previously. I presume it was to remove the head for some reason (possibly a gasket since the head was definitely cracked).

I was able to easily get a 1/2 inch torque wrench with the 12-point deep well socket back there. If you don't want to go this route, try getting the smallest torque wrench that will go to 110 ft-lbs you can.

 

I cut the threaded portion off the bolt for that position and used a 12 point, shallow socket to torque that bolt. You can use a different bonding strap from the firewall to a fuel rail hold down bolt in place of the strap that went to that bolt. Available at most auto parts stores.


Modified bolt:



.
Replacement bonding strap:

 

Cool, thanks for the input, guys. I think I'll be cutting that bolt down. I might even be able to take less off and reuse the original strap. I'm not sure if that'll give me enough clearance or not.

Thanks!

 

I bent the firewall as well when I was doing my cylinder head. At this point the ascetics of the firewall are not really a big concern of mine.

 

great!, did you cut some? hammer? , any pix?.
im preping for future!

 

nice, I'm wanting to do ours also.

 

I ended up cutting an inch off the bolt, with the nut on (so it would chase the threads when I pulled it off) then banging on the firewall. This gave me enough clearance for a socket and allowed me to reuse the original ground strap. In hindsight I would just cut the bolt all the way. Hammering the firewall in was a pain.

 

See.


Butchering the firewall is not my cup of tea. Easier to cut the bolt down and use that alternate bonding strap.

 

I have a socket just for that purpose, picked up a cheap 12point socket and cut the socket itself down so it fits in great. Just a thought

 

while i was working there on fixing the water leak problem i cut out a 2 inch of the lip above the bolt in prep 4 future head work,not ez but done. yes i also had to do a little hammering to get it smooth!

oh!,,,dont give me no lip!!

old expression!