Mmk.... So I'm in the process of installing headers... I'm 99.9% done removing the stock header which is a really overlooked factor in the pain in installing headers.... Any good advice on how to remove the rear header bolt that's possibly stripped (not 100% sure)....

 

The bolts where the headers meet the y-pipe? Grind them off
If you are talking about the nuts that hold the headers to the head, you can remove the studs from the head with the nut still on them.

 

Yea the bolts to the head..... I may have to try that... About 4 of em came out like that... But what tool would I use?

 

Actually i didn't even know my buddy try that..... No luck that spun.... Didn't even knew we had the tool.... I was was trying to get the bolt off

 

Can you get a bite on it with Vise Grip's?

 

Im guessing its the damn firewall side the top passengerside nut when i did it i ended takint the mani off and laying across the top of the engine to reach down there because from the bottom i couldnt get the right angle on the nut i also heated it with a torch and sprayed it with pb blaster i know aackshun had pics of taking them off in the old thread

 

Not really...... The angle of the bolt is kinda Srry.... I can give it a go but there isn't much space to do anything at all... I can try though

 

The manifold isn't off... I honestly just don't know how to n isn't comfortable with the infinite vacuum lines.... Plus there is no really good how to, on removing it.... Just how to install em on 4th gens

 

If you're really careful & lucky enough to have the room you can use a Dremel w/cutoff wheel. If not there's a tool called a nut splitter (not kidding) you could probably rent or buy. It uses a screw & wedge to split the nut. AutoZone & Sears sell them. Personally I'd go with the Craftsman, a Chinese cheapo could get you into more trouble.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...entifier=70112

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...Redirect=false

 

theres only 4 main vacuum lines that are off the mani just unbolt the upper mani and you can move it out the way by removing the 2 large hoses on the passenger side if its like the one on the 97 max i dont know if the dek is different

 

reach down with camera phone and take pic of area to conferm if the nut is really stripped this will also tell you if you not getting the socket on it right just make sure the flash is on

 

Damn front wheel drive cars

 

last resort is to loosen all motor mounts and nudge engine with 2x4 to get better access of area dont get discourged it will happen and you will be enjoying them it just takes time patients

 

Me and a friend had to do something similar to get to the rear spark plugs on the Grand Prix GTP I used to own. Unless you have go-go Gadget arms, they're a real bish to get to.

 

Naw bro.... More than 4 vacuum lines on the DEK... It's like a big **** cluster in that bay

 

Sears auto not open on Sundays... Can't rent that.... N no $$$ to buy it.... It's at the airforce base car shop... Idk if they have the tool... I'm tryna get a ride back up there now...

 

Removing the intake manifold is the best way to install headers on these cars. Besides the vacuum lines, theres also a brass colored support bracket behind the intake manifold, unless you already have spacers on there. Here's a detailed write-up from nissanclub.com member Velicos.

http://www.lanknights.net/VQHeaders.pdf

Get the intake manifold out of the way so you can first verfiy whether the nut is stripped or not, and second get enough working room to remove the stripped nut. Craftsman sells a rounded nut removal set that I've used on some serisouly rounded nuts. It's a socket looking tool that fits over the rounded nut and cuts into the nut for grip. But you need space to put it on straight.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-1...2&blockType=L2

 

Craftsman link doesn't work for Me

 

Also that link seems to be for a 3.5.... Those are the easiest manifold to remove, I can do those..... The car is a 2001 Maxima with 3.0 DEK... WAAAAY harder than the 3.5... No write up I find on removing that manifold

 

'00-'01 is a whole different ball game.

I don't see how you got so far without removing the IM... You're one crazy azz ****.

Go to page 9 here... It shows all the bolts you have to remove.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/2001/EM.pdf

The best word of advice is to remove all bolts to the IM first. Then remove the visible vacum lines. Pull up on the IM and feel where it snags. Look in that area and you will see the rest of the lines you need to disconnect. Keep using this technique and you will eventually get it. Dont be scurred... Its just a bunch of bolts and clamps.

 

I didn't event realize it was the 3.0. Whoops.

If you go to www.craftsman.com and search "stripped bolt remover" and you'll see what I'm talking about. I have part #52061, but part #52166 looks like a better set.

Another option would be to file or grind down the nut so that you can grip it with either a smaller socket or a set of vice grips. You'll have to pound the smaller socket on there, and it may split.

 

Wanna hear how crazier we got.... # never removed the Manifold and did not remover the rear heat sheild all the way

 

this was a 2 man job ill say, im aching and hands torn up...

To update i got the bolt off without even using a bolt extractor it just, after yanking the heat sheild to where we had a slight better view of the bolt and finally getting a lift we had a better grip on the bolt and it came off with the stud, i wanted to toss that bish with all energy i had (because i had a spare one still from my 5.5 lol) but i kept the headache bolt. The install is complete but still have a big **** leak to fix tomorrow... i didnt have 1 gasket where the header met the catalytic converter and didnt get it til 9pm tonight but had to drive my friend home about 45mins away lol...

 

Why did i hab a feeling yall didnt cut the heat shield out.also get the oe nissan gasket for $6 it wont leak

 

i got one from a local, seems pretty sturdy... installing it tomorrow if it doesnt rain

 

Felpro has never failed on me. I used the Nissan gasket at the y to cat connection though

 

i kept the OEM nissan gaskets on the block but waited til 9pm to get the one by the cat

 

lemme tell you what i kinda find odd or overly exaggerated here... the OBX fitment.... i dont know where that came from but my V2 OBX line up perfectly, didnt have to yank it to get the bolts to fit, didnt shave any of the crossmember, however its pretty close... the absolute only issue i have with the OBX out the box is the rear o2 sensor that needs to be relocated... (mines isnt)... n im sure flex in a few lol

 

Wow.....

 

^^ if you choose to go that route a would absolutely recommend a lift lol... hell if you installing headers which after this install i wont ever recommend to anybody unless they are paying for the labor, just pay a shop for a lift or something lol... literally you will go to hell n stay there for a few n back to get the extra virgin OEM stuff off.. longest part of the install was grinding the stock cat off the Y-pipe and like stated before the OEM trash

 

Any moar powah?

 

What route?

I did mine w/o removing the upper IM....

But I also took off the heatshield and loosened and re-tightened the bolts when I swapped the motor

Made my header install HELLA easy

Only problem I had was getting the crossmember and the shifter linkage back up and connected once the headers were in, that took some fancy bolt work but I got it all in w/o any fabrication.