8N Exhaust/Intake Manifold

I have a crack in the E/I manifold. I have "treated" the nuts/studs with penetrating oil for last few days and have had no problem removing one of the bolts. I have not tried removing the #4 nut (closest to the air filter) because of the air line to the carb. I have tried to remove the nuts on #1 and #3 with no success. The nuts appear to be 11/16's, but I cannot get any of my Craftsman sockets to fit the nut because the gap between the nut and the manifold is narrower than the socket wall thickness.

I have used a 1/2 and 3/8 drive deepwell socket both 6 point. I am going to Sears today to get a 12-point socket. I have not tried using a wrench, since my hood is still attached.

As anyone experienced this, or have I missed something.

PS.. the nuts are in great shape - ie they are not "stripped"

Another solution. Because the manifold is already cracked and in need of replacement, you can place the 6pt socket on the nut as best you can then beat it on with a hammer. Who cares if you break an already broken manifold?

1) I don't believe the nuts are the orginal brass. They appear to be steel.

2) Another post recommended that I use a 3/8 drive 6point deep well. This has been tried.

I am curious about the fact that your manual indicates that the nuts are 5/8ths. I have tried a 5/8 socket, but too tight.

Thanks again and I will update when this saga is completed..... .TBKEEFER

Rust will often make a nut seem larger then it is.
Not all nuts and sockets are made to perfect standard. So if the socket seems close, try tapping it on with a hammer (tapping, not whaling).

There is always the possibility that someone got clever and used a metric nut. It would be in keeping with Ford's notion of how to build cars in the late 70's through late 80's.

Will try that this evening!

Sockets come in different thicknesses. As a rule of thumb;
1, cheaper sockets are thicker then more expensive sockets.
2, Larger drive sockets are thicker then smaller drive sockets.
3, impact sockets are thicker then hand use sockets.

11/16 is readily available in 3/8" drive. Getting a good 6 point one (or set) from Sears will almost assuredly be quite able to fit onto the nut. Be aware of the depth though, you may need to go with a deep well socket.

I went to Sears earlier in the day and bought a 1/2 drive extension, paired this to my 6-point 11/16ths medium-well socket and they were off.

The medium-well socket long enough and thin enough too work.

I replaced with the proper 5/8ths nut, and now I don't have to wear ear plugs. Thanks for the advice.

Tom Vicksburg, MI