Stainless Steel exhaust elbows

[john lever]

Anyone ever fitted stainless steel exhaust manifolds?
My friend fitted a set to a Morgan and eulogised so much about them that my wife (in secret) bought me a set for my Stag. Big mistake.
After several months I decided to have a go.
I was dreading fitting them, anticipating the problems due to the lack of space in the Stag., eventually, with the left hand set as they looked the easiest. The elbows are supplied with a set of stainless studs and brass nuts. 3 are fitted at the top and 4 at the bottom (nightmare)
After jacking up the car and getting restricted access to them, I found that 2 of the originals were missing. I couldn't locate the elbow onto the studs as there was insufficient space. Eventually I managed to get the elbow to fit by putting the underside studs in afterwards. one side done.
I have so far failed to fit the right hand elbow.
When I purchased it, there was a massive dent in one of the ports so I sent it back only to discover that the replacement was the same. I now know why. The steering shaft interferes with the elbow and without this dent we have a major foul. It proved necessary to loosen off the steering rack and remove the steering shaft as it was impossible to locate the elbow at all. Same problem as the other side. Studs no good, so I tried to fit the old bolts but they were too long and had to be sawn down to get access.
Having done all that, I still can't get the bolts to locate.
Can anybody provide advice/solution to my problem please?
It has been suggested that I need to take the engine out to do this job properly. Bit reluctant to do that.
John Lever

[MandM]

Not had the joy of that but someone will be along to help in a moment i'm sure

[Jabba]

John are you talking about phoenix manifolds ?

[john lever]

yes

[DJT]

I have Phoenix manifolds, but I fitted them when the heads were off. Not a job I would fancy in situ.

[Wheelz]

Have you tried removing the engine mountings, then jacking up the engine? I think I would look into that.

[Jabba]

OK John, I fitted my ones this year though I didn't have studs or nuts. I bought a couple of sets of exhaust bolt sets from paddocks. The LH was simple, using one stud at the lower front and bolts on the other's. The RH I had to remove the steering shift and I used two studs, the two rear lower holes as the bolts wouldn't fit, then bolts on the rest. Hope this helps

[john lever]

I did think that if I raised the engine slightly then I might achieve it. Will try that next.
Just returned from France and won't be able to go back for six months but will try that approach
I don't suppose that it will matter if I use a combination of stainless studs/ brass nuts and standard steel bolts.

[KOY 23]

No need to remove engine but removing the heads makes it easy.
There are 3 potential “delights” waiting for you with the right hand manifold. Steering shaft clearance, there are 2 shaft diameters, one is around 15mm the other 18mm dia from memory, you need the thinner one. Manifold flange fouls dipstick, flange needs to be notched. Rear lower bolt is difficult to access.
Lifting engine as much as possible also helps.

[john lever]

I forgot. I also needed to take off my spin-on oil filter as well. I think, from memory, there is just enough space to locate it after the new manifold is fitted. the pipes to the oil cooler were also fowling the down pipes but they can be re-located. The manifold did fowl the dipstick but I managed to bend the tube slightly and re-locate it. Last resort is to remove the heads after all the problems people have with that operation.
Thanks anyway. Glad other people have had problems. I was beginning to think that I am getting too old for this lark.
I don't know which diameter steering shaft is fitted but suspect it is the 18mm one. It just clears the manifold when located. The main problem is getting a bolt in the second lower bracket - a 25mm standard bolt doesn't fit. I eventually cut it down to 20mm, which enabled me to locate it but still couldn't start it (probably an alignment problem).
Anyway, I shall buy some standard 5/16th whitworth bolts and have another go (next year)

[john lever]

Lifting engine slightly appears to be the next best way forward. Thanks everybody.