Changing upper catalytic converter question

[gafarmer]

I'm replacing my upper cat converter and am running into an issue. I pulled the lower cat no problem but cannot get the heat shield off of the upper one (upper bolt head is stripped and hard to get to) which prevents me from accessing the bolts where it connects to the manifold. After looking at other posts, I tried to remove the manifold and cat in one piece but I can't figure out how to get to the last manifold bolt. It's the left bolt on the middle pipe which is behind the manifold itself. There's only about 3/4" of clearance there and an overhang above it. I tried getting to it from behind as well but couldn't get my hand and wrench in there with room to work. My other option is to take something like a dremel and try to cut the heat shield away from the cat. Anyone have any bright ideas?

 

Thanks

[onespiritbrain]

Isn't it strange that people experience similar issues together..

 

So to gain access to the nuts hidden by the heat shield you might be able to use a hole saw which is the diameter of the socket you're going to use. I would take the hole saw and remove the drill bit from the middle. Use a long drill bit extension and hammer the hole saw up against the hidden nuts. When you have created a solid impression in the heat shield the hole saw should be sort of locked in place. Attach a drill and begin drilling the heat shield out. If it works the way I see it working in my mind you should be left with a perfect hole to access those nuts.

 

Here are the hole saw and extension I'm referring to:

http://www.toolnut.com/milwaukee-49-56-0043-1-hole-saw.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KEQiAlsrFBRCAxcCB54XElLEBEiQA_ei0DIJwY9yxBZyLbEz-6gKIIIfTQLUWLOSMiIpwV2LKPq0aAtF08P8HAQ

https://www.zoro.com/milwaukee-bit-extension-all-hex-24-x-716-in-48-28-1060/i/G5136467/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAlsrFBRCAxcCB54XElLEBEiQA_ei0DPhaXvz2rZt2yS3nLBVz7h0U-IwceVPm0CCGGW-Vl0saAqZT8P8HAQ

 

 

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Edited February 27, 2017 by onespiritbrain