SSI header removal help needed

[casor]

Trying to remove the left SSI header from my recently rebuilt eng to install the hard oil line and cannot get a tool on a couple of nuts. I can get to the (3) barrel allen nuts through the holes in the header, but cannot get a tool on the fwd and rearmost nuts - the studs are new but a bit long which is preventing getting a socket in there and wrenches don't work since the outer edge of the head is in the way.

Seems that I should cut the studs down. Asked the mechanic who did the work and he said nothing special was used to install. I have a lot of tools and nothing is working for me
Rob

[tom1394racing]

Removing the heat exchangers is one of the most tedious jobs in the disassembly of a 911 engine. I used these special tools to make it easier.

[D911SC]

My SSI's (not yet installed) came with that funny looking spanner. I'd say you'll need one of those.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by D911SC

My SSI's (not yet installed) came with that funny looking spanner. I'd say you'll need one of those.

... a pic or two. My SSIs ore on the way.

[Aurel]

A 13 mm articulated short socket works fine too. At least it did for me when putting on and off and on again my 74 heat exchangers, which are the same design as SSIs.

[tobluforu]

Go to sears and get a 1\4 universal joint that is attached to a 14 and 13mm socket (one piece) and extension. They are super small (black in color) and super flexible in their articulation.
OOOps^ he beat me to it.

[Aurel]

Long studs with thin flange SSIs can cause problems, even with the barrel nut if it does not leave enough space for the hex key to grab them. I would shorten them with a dremel to avoid future issues.

[D911SC]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

... a pic or two. My SSIs ore on the way.

Not the best photo but this is the spanner that was in the box.

It's hard to see these things sitting there uninstalled!!!

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by D911SC

Not the best photo but this is the spanner that was in the box.

It's hard to see these things sitting there uninstalled!!!

D911SC

Thanks, I got all the tools shown by tom1394racing, except fot this funky one. We'll see when I open the box.

Merci

J.J.

[cfries]

Just installed my (new to me) SSI's and had a hell of a time with the access. Where can you purchase one of the spanner tools if you didnt buy the SSIs new?

[faverymi]

I used a swivel socket and heat from a map torch.

Worked for me.

[casor]

I finally got around to removing, modifying and installing the SSI headers on my SC. The main issue was that the head studs for the (3) plain nuts were too long. Due to the shape and close proximity of the SSI heat exchanger, I needed a deep socket to reach the nuts, but could not get such a tool over the stud. My mechanic lent me the tool shown in the photo below (the black cutoff offset box) which he noted is an orig Porsche tool, not a one off improvisation. I had a duplicate made but, after I installed studs of a proper length, a common 13mm swivel/socket combo worked fine and did not need the special tool. I used the Porsche tool to remove the header's plain nuts and it worked great - absolutely nothing else did.

To reinstall the header, I measured the free length of the studs that I needed - just enough to get a nut/washer on - which came out to about 14mm of stud exposed length. I have the skinny flange headers so do this measurement on the set you have and don't just do 14mm w/o checking. I found studs that gave me close to this free length, but also ones that properly bottomed in the head. Then I measured the exposed length again once they were installed. Perfect.

The other problem was that the corner of the header interfered with the clutch spring. By alot. My good friend and master old school body guy Don Diehl hacked off a full 3/4" from the corner of the header and then he TIG'd on a stainless plate to cover the gaping hole. There is plenty of internal room here in the header, so the actual header pipes inside were not disturbed nor modified. Believe it or not, even with all this material removed, the header now barely clears the spring. But "barely" was enough and so the final fit up was a piece of cake. The photos tell the rest of the story.....hope this helps, guys.

[kennykimk2]

Originally Posted by Aurel

A 13 mm articulated short socket works fine too. At least it did for me when putting on and off and on again my 74 heat exchangers, which are the same design as SSIs.

Can some post a pic of this tool. I went to Sears today and could not find this tool.

I am stuck on getting the barrel nuts removed.

Thanks for your help.

Kenny

[casor]

Kenny - here are the tools that may work. They are basically sockets on a swivel but w/o all the swag needed to connect the socket to separate swivel. Thus, they are lower profile. This is a 1/4" drive set which may be a little light for header nuts but were the only game in town at the time. You should heat up the nuts in any case to make them expand for removal.
Rob

[kennykimk2]

Thanks for quick response Rob.
Hopefully Sears near me has one.

Let me know if you want to sell me your custom tool.

[casor]

Ken - I want to keep the tool however you can borrow it.
Rob

[casor]

One more comment - as I noted above, if your header studs are too long, the Sears tool won't work since it has little depth. A maddening problem in such a case since a deep socket (even an intermediately deep socket) won't work due to the angles involved with the header in place. Check your studs.

[kennykimk2]

Rob,

Let me know how many beers or any other adult beverages I need to buy you for using your custom tool.

My wife is craking up watching me get frustrated with this project.

Thanks and let me know what I need to send you thru paypal or what you prefer.

Kenny

[casor]

Ken - recommend doing what I do for a little "payback" with the wifey. Take her out for a nice picnic basket lunch in the Porsche, but make sure you find a road with the most sadistic, technical, high-G turns. And make sure you do it not on the way out, but on the way back, after lunch. That'll teach 'er.

No "payment" necessary but, for the record, my fav is Pilsner Urquell.

Rob