Help removing exhaust system??

[crashmy911]

What kind of tools do you use to remove the heat exchangers. I have a 1978sc with the back dated exhaust system on it. My ratchets and wrenches will not make the curve. What type of a wrench do I need? Any tool which will make this job easier???

[marcesq]

When you say backdated, do mean pre '74 Porsche heat exchangers or do you mean an aftermarket backdate, like SSIs? Does your set up have the alan head nuts as well??

If it is the former, you will need a 13mm (check me on this) universal joint socket. A socket on a universal will not work.

There is a wrench that comes with SSIs that gets to almost all of the nuts (just a little slow though). Maybe John will sell you one. His number is 800-227-1486.

Finally, look here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_1974_heat_xchangers/911_1974_heat_xchangers.htm

Good luck

[Jim Smolka]

Also, you might need to heat the nuts to a cherry red color.
Good Luck

[john walker's workshop]

a hot wrench is what you need. (oxy/acet). don't try it without it, unless you like drilling and inserting all the studs. search the archives for lots of comments about this.

[john walker's workshop]

as far as tools go, a 3/8 13mm wobbly (unless they're 12mm), long extension, and a long 8mm allen socket. and the torch of course. 1/2" drive and impact sockets are too clunky and large.

[stevef]

I can't emphasize enough the heating the nut bit. I removed my H/Es quite easily. Heated all the nuts up with an acetylene torch. Came away no problem. That was on my 2.0L. Then I decided to do the same job on a 2.2L I have at the back of my garage. Got a bit cocky, didn't appreciate the value of that coefficient of expansion thing and SNAP! One stud to drill out. Glad to say only one. Learned by my mistakes.