Need help pulling my 380SE (W126) V8 engine

[willirl]

Well I bit the bullet and am trying to pull my w126 V8 (380se) engine. Need to do valve work, timing cover coming off and transmission seals and I thought it would be easier to work on if it were out.

But problems - Got everything disconnected but _cannot_ figure out how to disconnect the front exhaust section from the header. There are two bolts holding the flange together but one of them is absolutely impossible to get to. The book says "remove the exhaust system" (not very helpful). I'm wondering if the front exhaust section comes out with the engine?

Or maybe I'm supposed to remove the headers first? But that also looks pretty much impossible on the right side where the header meets the front exhaust section there is no flexable coupling that can be removed.

Any help you can give is appreciated.

Regards,
Richard (willirl)

 

[spanners]

Exhaust removal

I removed the heads on my 420SE and was able to disconnect the exhaust downpipes quite easily.

If the bolts are as inexcessible as you say, could you unbolt the manifold from the head?

 

[willirl]

Thanks. After I removed the cross brace under the pan I was able to get to the bolts. I thought there were regular nuts on the top that I had to hold but turns out those are captive.

Richard

 

[spanners]

Well done

Glad to hear you sorted it.