Installing SSIs tightening Nuts
 

How do you get the socked directly over the nuts so that you can torque them down. I'm not talking about the ones that use the barrel nut. Between the socket and the universal joint there just doesn't seem to be enough room to get straight on the nut and therefore the nuts are starting to get rounded. Are there smaller universal joints? I'm using a 3/8 inch socket set and universal? Any tricks out there?

Had the same question myself. Went to Sears and got a set of swivel-head 3/8 sockets. Job done in minutes. Don't forget the anti-seize.

Thanks Tom

Jack

Tom is right on... that's all you need.

+1
Wayne covers that on page 185, Fig. 10-6 of his engine rebuild book. Standard swivel adapters are too long, and will result in rounded bolts. 6 bucks well spent.

Aurel

I can't remember now where I got it could have been from Wayne... get the 'low profile" type as Aurel mentions