Removing the Reactor/Manifold in a '75

[Hodgepodge]

I'm finally starting on the emissions controls removal on my '75 and....pffft....what's with all these heat shields?   I removed two from above the manifold and it looks like there is a third I will need to remove from underneath.  I also have an A/C compressor in the way.  Is there a more direct path to the lower 4 manifold nuts than manuevering around things from underneath?   It does not look possible to get to those nuts from above, but I might be missing something.    

 

And since the lower heat shield is attached to the chassis and not the engine, is it worth it to put that one back?    

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

 

[HBChris]

I did this on a 75 6 months ago.  Easier to remove those plates, reach under the manifold with a 12mm open end wrench, remove down pipe, undo pipes in front and back of manifold.  You will need to remove alternator to remove the plumbing under the intake manifold too.

[John76]

Keep the heat shield that protects the steering arm bearing from the exhaust manifold heat.

Yes,  it can be a PITA to get to the lower exhaust manifold nuts....but from the bottom is the only way to get to them.

[EPK]

As has been stated, you need to do so from underneath.  Once everything else is removed, it's rather straightforward and not that difficult.  It's just a bit of a pain to remove stuff that's in the way.  

[HBChris]

I have removed the four nuts under the manifold from the top using an open end wrench which I continually flip.  It a long reach to the rearmost nut.

Edited November 21, 2017 by HBChris

[Hodgepodge]

I got all the sheilds off and discovered that the PO had attempted this removal before.  The top nuts came off easily (They were actually loose).  The bottom ones are stripped.  Now I have to remove a bunch of other stuff (A/C) to get enough room to remove them.  

[Rob R]

What are you going to use for an exhaust manifold instead of the thermal reactor?

I have a 75 and bought a Stahl header to replace the TR but haven't started the project yet. I will hook it up to the stock exhaust to start with.

[Hodgepodge]

Hi Rob,  Sorry, just saw this question for some reason.  I bought an Ireland Engineering shorty header but it was defective so I ended up buying a shorty header from Top Speed.  It is nearly as nice and much less expensive.  

Edited January 29, 2018 by Hodgepodge