Has anyone out there ever removed the Upper Intake Manifold from a 1990 F-150 302 V-8??? I have ( 5 ) bolts out and cannot get the passenger side middle bolt ( or screw ) out. It's the one up under the manifold. I need to know what tools to use and the procedure to be able to get this bolt out. If anyone has ever done this I would appreciate it if you would tell me exactly how you did it. Is the head TORX or what?? Also, the size? If you know a trick to get the pass. side back bolt back in that would be great too.

Thanks,
guzzler96

 

That is a TORX head. Don't remember the size. I bought a cheap set of torx bits that fit into a small socket, then taped it to the socket so it can't slip out and use a long extension. It's pretty tight in there so I used a pair of long needle nose pliers to start it back into the hole.

 

either t35 0r t40, I'm leaning more towards t35 tho

 

When I reinstalled mine I used an allen bolt because I have one that fits it.

 

I finally found out what is made to do this with. It's an extra long T40 Torx bit that Snap-On developed I think, although other people have them too ( Arizona Tools for one). It's 7-1/2" inches long with a 3/8" drive socket on the end. Had to order it because nobody carried them in stock. Long as I could buy local was 5" and that won't work. You go in thru the slot in the manifold and it takes that much length to get in there. What you guys posted got me thinking though!

Thanks for the input,
guzzler96

 

I wish I had caught this before you paid money for an expensive, although nice, SNAP-ON tool. All you have to do is take that torx bit (also forget the size) and reach UNDER the plenum/upper intake with it and set it in the bolt. Then through the space in the middle put your 3/8" extension down there and into the socket. Loosen away! I did that in the past, but my Edelbrock Truck intake has a larger gap there, so it's not a concern anymore.

Luke

 

Yup T-40. My trucks intake runners are too close together(on the 302 and 351), I can't get a reg short torx bit in there I had to buy the 8" long one from SK. Sears has them and a local True value had it for $20.

 

Mine was too close to fit the 3/8" drive T40 under the manifold too. I already had the upper manifold off though, so I filed down the aluminum until I got it to fit in there close enough to 90 degrees to get it to work.

 

I used a 1/4" drive 6" extension with a 1/4" bit holder with a standard torx bit.

 

All this is really good info. If someone else sees this maybe it won't be the "Hair Puller" it was for me!!! Do you put any gasket adhesive of any kind on the gasket between upper and lower intakes or no????

 

The manual didn't say to use any and I didn't. No leaks.

 

No, no rtv between the upper and lower intake.

 

I went through this about 6-8 months ago posted for help and got it just as you did.
The funniest part was that I just didnt SEE the lil slot in top of the manifold to put the 1/4" extention-Torx through.

 

I wasn't going to say anything, but since you 'fessed up, the first time I did one of these, I didn't see it, either.

 

I just did this yesterday, you need a T-40 Torx bit, it has the be the screwdriver style bit and it slips into a 1/4 inch drive adapter that usually comes with the set. You also need a long 1/4 inch extention to connect to it. Once you snap all of that together, its nothing to it, its very simple and easy with the tools that I mentioned. NOTE: A 3/8 drive extention wont slip between the opening on the plenum.