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is a massive PITA. that is all.

Actually I did this morning.. wasn’t bad at all... though engine wasn’t in the car. Makes it 100 times easier.....
No need to go by feel...

yes,patience is required.i also found that a good 3/8 drive set with wobble bars helped get the blind ones.my 1/2 drives were too big.
Mick

I've heard it's a bit of a bear of a job. I've been planning a square top install but the horror stories have me a little concerned.

Let us know how you like the Skunk2. Beware, I've heard the throttle cable bracket is weak and can snap off pretty easily without re-enforcement.

16bit wrote:is a massive PITA. that is all.

Its easier to actually remove the head & do it when the head is off the car.
Pity local shops charge $200 for a head gasket

it came off OK. but getting the skunk2 on is going to be the real problem. even less access to the underside nuts.

The underside intake manifold nuts are a HUUUUGE pain in the arse to access, way harder that the exhaust manifold.

I used virtually every combination of extension/wobble bar and flexi-joint I had to accomplish this (even using 2 flexi-joints for a couple of them), all from the top and reaching underneath since the MSM/SE has too much crap in the way to get at from underneath.
If you have small hands and arms, or have access to someone that does, it would be a little easier.

Just accept the fact that it will take a while, have plenty of tools available and look to see if you have any easier access to the lower bolts from below.

yeah i figure its going to take me many hours and lots of swearing. only have one flex joint may need another!

man it came with some aftermarket long studs and nuts. they are both sh*t. had to tap all the nuts and the studs don't seem great either. had to recut the thread on one of the studs too. oem is best!

Sounds like typical skunk2 quality control...

you are telling me. i had to re tap every single hole between the top and bottom section of the intake manifold before i could even get it together.

If it was new I would be sending it back (I think you purch it from another user).
A quick goggle reveals there are fakes going around and claims that Skunk produce top quality items. I wonder if yours is genuine?

yeah i bought it off another forumite. i believe it to be original. the studs are aftermarket from somewhere else.

It aint pita until you do it on a transaxle fwd car with the bolts 10cm from the flywall