Neat tool for tight spaces

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.

My interest had nothing to do with exhaust... ;-)

I was looking for something to help with belt tensioning and the like... some kind of tool that could spread and hold pressure... this fit the bill nicely.

MH

What belts are you tightening that require that amount of force?

It isn't necessarily that you need to get the belt supper tight. The issue is that many cars need to have either the power steering pump, alternator or some kind of an idler pulley held in place while you tighten the retaining bolt.

If you don't, as you tighten the retaining bolt, it will have the effect of rotating the item the wrong way.

The expandable belt tensioners also have a sling in them that helps to protect things like the paint from getting marred or chipped because you have a steel pry bar up against them to hold them while they are tightened down otherwise.

It's actually a very old idea but a very good one.

Exactly, tightening the lock nut while prying on an alternator is tough enough, but on our cars tightening the water pump and jackshaft belts on the front require you to be in two places at the same time... (despite years of research into that subject, I've yet to figure out how to do it).

it's not so much the amount of pressure as it is holding pressure while you tighten the lock nut down.

Duck tape!!! Can be used for remote wrench holding......


Goose joke......
Steve