WTK: Can headpipe & manifold unit install from below?

[PROPEL]

Here's my dilemna:

A 1.9L Opel GT is presently sitting immobile over dirt. I can't jack it up safely, and I have to install a headpipe with exhaust manifold. But I don't want to separate the headpipe from the manifold first (don't ask why).

So my wacky idea is to dig a shallow trench and lay the exhaust into it. Then roll the car over the hole and pull the manifold up into the engine bay. Sounds simple, right?

But will the manifold clear the getrag bellhousing, frame rails, and engine support cradle from below?

Because if I have to install the whole unit from above... well then, I'm going to have to dig myself a pretty DEEP hole!

(Unless I've already accomplished that, of course. lol.)

[Phoenix]

Can you use ramps? Can you jack it up from the suspension and place wood over the dirt?

[PROPEL]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Can you use ramps? Can you jack it up from the suspension and place wood over the dirt?

Well, the car's over a mix of deep loose gravel and dirt and some mud... hmm, kind of like quicksand. Actually, I tried boards before, and they sunk in, and the car almost went over. No kidding, I've never worked on a car on such adverse footing (and I've done some extremely risky roadside surgery before). Ramps sound good, but I'd still need to jack it up real well first.

If it doesn't work, I'll bite the bullet and have it towed out.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by PROPEL Here's my dilemna: A 1.9L Opel GT is presently sitting immobile over dirt. I can't jack it up safely, and I have to install a headpipe with exhaust manifold. But I don't want to separate the headpipe from the manifold first (don't ask why). So my wacky idea is to dig a shallow trench and lay the exhaust into it. Then roll the car over the hole and pull the manifold up into the engine bay. Sounds simple, right? But will the manifold clear the getrag bellhousing, frame rails, and engine support cradle from below? Because if I have to install the whole unit from above... well then, I'm going to have to dig myself a pretty DEEP hole! (Unless I've already accomplished that, of course. lol.)

I don't believe there is any way you can install the exhaust manifold from the bottom without surgery. Do you have an exhaust manifold with a damaged headpipe that you could cut off somewhere around where the two pipes join? You might be able to install it from above and get the car to where you can repair it safely & properly.

Harold