Exhaust leak at the engine on VP V6. Hard to fix with extractors?

[Skidney]

hi my vp v6 has a definate exhaust leak at the engine. i went to a mechanic and he said because it has extractors its a bastard to fix because the extractors go all the way under the car or something.

an exhaust place quoted me $250 to replace the gaskets on both sides.

is it a job i would be able to do myself? i have basic tools and i have never done an exhaust before.

cheers, sid

[Veriton]

You wanna be careful when toying with your headers, if a bolt is stuck on the block you don't wanna force it and snap it, cause if you do you're gonna be in a world of hurt. Otherwise you should just be able to get all bolts out and then just pull the extractors towards the side, only needs to move a couple of mm's, then pull the gasket out and insert the new ones.

[Matt_vp]

Should be able to do it yourself, if you are able to undo bolts and tighten bolts up. As said just becarefull not to snap the bolts of in the holes.
Matt

[Skidney]

do i need any certain tools to get to the awkward bolts? cheers for the advice

[Matt_vp]

Nope spanners will do the job.
Matt

[Skidney]

stupid question but can anyone tell me what size the nuts are on the manifold? i have a socket set but im missing a couple of sockets hahaha

[rusty91]

im pretty sure they are 13mm sid

[Skidney]

no dramas cheers

[wraith]

no dramas cheers

Take your time and use WD40. Potentially saves breaking a stud.

[Matt_vp]

Standard v6 zorst manifold bolts are 14mm and i think you need a spanner not a socket. Its has been a while since i have taken a standard manifold off but i dont think a socket will fit to all of the bolts from memory.
Matt