Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

[Gary B.]

During the C2 era, how did GM tighten intake manifold nipples of the style shown in this image?

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[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

Not knowing I would say there was a socket with a round center with protrusions on either side to catch the slot across the top of the nipple . That' s my story and I'm sticking to it . Jeff

[Mark F.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

Not knowing I would say there was a socket with a round center with protrusions on either side to catch the slot across the top of the nipple . That' s my story and I'm sticking to it . Jeff

Hi Gary,
I agree with Jeff's special socket theory...
I also think it was installed in a pneumatic drive tool that had torque "blow-off" settings...
Meaning, the tool applied compressed air for the twist until it reached the specified torque setting in the head of the tool and then a bypass vent opened so as to not over-torque the nipple.

Long story how I know this (or think it might also be applicable here?), but QA inspectors challenged us trying to reduce noise produced when bolting the rear cross-brace on police-special sub-assemblies (horrendously loud screeching at full torque).

[Philip A.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

You could also use an inside nipple tool. Get it on Amazon or your local plumbing store. It has two offset cams that when it is turned the cams press against the inside of the tube by pressure grabbing it. Turn it the opposite and they release. Works perfectly

[Larry M.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

Most folks simply make the tool with a socket, a hacksaw, a small piece of flat steel, and a welder.

Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

During the C2 era, how did GM tighten intake manifold nipples of the style shown in this image?

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Gary-------

I'm pretty sure that there would have been a special tool used in PRODUCTION for installation of these nipples and is was probably some sort of socket type. However, it's very easy to make a tool that can be used to install these in SERVICE. After all, in SERVICE it's only being done on very rare occasion, not continuously as on the assembly line . I just use a piece of flat steel stock that's about the width of the slot and a crescent wrench. Of course, you can't set a specified torque this way but I feel pretty confident I can get it close enough, especially with sealer on the threads.

[Gary B.]

[Bill M.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

I have used a heavy screwdriver inserted 90* into the slot

[John P.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

Hello Gary, you can use a drag link socket to install the nipple and torque without damage. Proto Tool # J5444A is such a socket. These sockets come in several sizes and can be obtained online or at a local tool store such as Northern Freight or Harbor Freight. Makes installation much easier.

[Gary B.]

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[Bert L.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

You could also use an inside nipple tool. Get it on Amazon or your local plumbing store. It has two offset cams that when it is turned the cams press against the inside of the tube by pressure grabbing it. Turn it the opposite and they release. Works perfectly

An internal piper wrench is what I've always used,..... good enough for plumbers, good enough for me!

[Gary B.]

Re: Installation of intake manifold nipples having no wrench flats

Hello Gary, you can use a drag link socket to install the nipple and torque without damage. Proto Tool # J5444A is such a socket. These sockets come in several sizes and can be obtained online or at a local tool store such as Northern Freight or Harbor Freight. Makes installation much easier.

John,

In my contest, your idea is the winner. The drag link socket shown in my other post is a near-perfect fit for the slot in the intake fitting. It overhangs each end of the fitting slot by about 60 thousands, and it fits into the slot with not a lot of slop.

Gary

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