quote:Originally posted by M!ke H.:
I just picked up an interesting tool, it's an exhaust manifold spreader. I don't need my exhaust manifolds spread, but it looks like one of those little things that could come in quite handy for tight spaces, especially tightening belts and such.
For less than $4 it's hard to go wrong
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076EX4S8
There are higher quality ones out there, but it's not something I'll use often.
here's a more expensive one, same design, better quality: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KEHEJ2
Thanks for the tip BUT on most steel tube headers, the flanges are in one piece. That helps keep the pipes from warping. On cast iron manifolds, those things always have susceptibility to cracking and spreading them for sure will crack one somewhere.
The iron manifolds have over sized holes for the bolts and you use flat washers with the bolts.
Headers have more of an issue of the bolt heads being too close to the tubes themselves to get a wrench or socket on them.
There was a belt tensioning tool made at one time that used this spreading principle and is a great idea to get the belt tight.
I'm going to save that link though. I'm pretty sure it is going to be needed at some point for something similar situation. Thanks.
