350 Mag and Torque Wrench on Risers

[MC1600]

I recently went through and changed the gaskets on the risers and elbows on my 350 Mag MPI.

The short of the long is that I am unable to get my torque wrench to the bolts connecting the riser to the manifold (elbow to riser - no problem). So, she's just on there by "feel" right now, and that doesn't really give me the warm and fuzzy feeling, ya know??

Is there a trick to getting a torque wrench in there? The issue is height clearance on the actual riser, not room around the engine. I already tried a swivel extension, and I can't get that in there either.

Thoughts?? Can I just let it be and snug it up after a couple uses?? Is this something I should run up to my dealer and beg their mercy to do it for me real quick??

Just wondering if anyone else has ever find a trick for this.

Matt

 

[gerryb]

Not sure of what you mean by height clearance, but one trick I've picked-up is to use 1/4" torque wrench and sockets instead of the 3/8" standard sizes. You can still torque down quite a bit but the slimmer extension and sockets are sometimes key to getting in tight spots.

 

[MC1600]

Not sure of what you mean by height clearance, but one trick I've picked-up is to use 1/4" torque wrench and sockets instead of the 3/8" standard sizes. You can still torque down quite a bit but the slimmer extension and sockets are sometimes key to getting in tight spots.

That's actually a good idea, Gerry. I'll see if I can hunt one down.

And by clearance, I mean the height provided by the riser (between the bolt head and the protrusion above it on the riser) is not enough for me to get the socket and wrench in there.