3AC Combination Manifold Removal

[ARCHINSTL]

OK - I gotta ask for help...
I think I have a vacuum leak in the manifold, as my surging problem is back (2200 to 1800 to 2200rpm, ad infinitum), and all other leak avenues have been explored, so I thought I'd check the torque on the manifold bolts. I also thought I'd remove the big heat shield between the manifolds to clean up the heat control valve shaft and make it move more freely. <span style='color:red'>*</span>
The 4 bolts "holding the manifolds together" (?) came out OK, but the shield will not slide out. Well, I reasoned that this is because the manifolds are still tight on the head.
Now, all of the nuts/bolts are accessible save the two innermost ones on the middle bottom. They are visible, but just that. HOW do you get to them? Obviously I cannot get the torque wrench in there, but I don't even see a way to get a socket on them anyway.
Does the whole silly head have to come off to remove the manifold? The Autozone site is clear, but makes no mention of what kind of magic is used. The wonderful FSM is silent on the subject of manifold only removal, and my humongous heat shield<span style='color:red'>*</span> is not shown in the book either.
I feel like a dope, but I have looked and looked, but just do not see a way to get a socket (or even a wrench) in there. I tried getting the 14mm socket in there with a flex connector, but that did not work either. I have searched our site (and ToyotaNation's as well) for a clue, but have found nothing.
Thanks in advance - I hope it is just something I am missing...
Tom M.
<span style='color:red'>*</span>Did anyone ever just cut a big hole in the big heat shield (the one that covers up the bottom of the manifolds that has the port for the HAI flex hose) to access the HCV shaft?

[takza]

Maybe you have a later T4WD? I think I could snug up all but one...maybe 2 of the manifold bolts...and don't remember so much heat shield down there. Been awhile though.

I think you can use carb cleaner on those shafts and work them loose....?

[ARCHINSTL]

takza -
Thanks for the reply.
I don't know that it is a later model. The car was built is October of 1985 and is a 1986 model with the 3AC.
The two nuts to which I refer are holding the intake and exhaust manifolds in place. The manifolds share these two nuts at these two places only. They are visible at an angle on either side of the space available only when the carb heat shield is removed. They are under the intake manifold, per se. This should be the same on 3A, 3AC (and 4AC as well) engines.
As to the HCV shafts, because of the lower manifold heat "box" (with the port for the HAI flex hose), only the inner shaft with the spring device is visible between the inner manifold and the block.
Tom M.

[xirdneh]

The 4 bolts "holding the manifolds together" (?) came out OK, but the shield will not slide out. Well, I reasoned that this is because the manifolds are still tight on the head.
Now, all of the nuts/bolts are accessible save the two innermost ones on the middle bottom. They are visible, but just that. HOW do you get to them? Obviously I cannot get the torque wrench in there, but I don't even see a way to get a socket on them anyway.
Does the whole silly head have to come off to remove the manifold? The Autozone site is clear, but makes no mention of what kind of magic is used. The wonderful FSM is silent on the subject of manifold only removal, and my humongous heat shield<span style='color:red'>*</span> is not shown in the book either.
I feel like a dope, but I have looked and looked, but just do not see a way to get a socket (or even a wrench) in there. I tried getting the 14mm socket in there with a flex connector, but that did not work either. I have searched our site (and ToyotaNation's as well) for a clue, but have found nothing.
Thanks in advance - I hope it is just something I am missing...
Tom M.
<span style='color:red'>*</span>Did anyone ever just cut a big hole in the big heat shield (the one that covers up the bottom of the manifolds that has the port for the HAI flex hose) to access the HCV shaft?

if this is the basic 3ac engine 83-88 tercels a standard 14mm socket (short) 3/8 drive on a thin extension (abt 8-9 inch long)will get them out. you have to thread it through under the intake manifold from the outside. i've done it many times. do not forget to take the support bolt out below the manifold (abt 6 inches below)that goes into the block. its a 12mm.
you do not need to remove the head.
also try disconnecting the "b" vacume switch located on the right fender (front most swittch) to see if your idle problem stops. if it does nothing just reconnect. no harm done

[ARCHINSTL]

xirdneh -
THANK YOU !
You know, I should have mentioned that I tried going under the intake manifold last night, but the socket would not fit. So today I thought "Well, I'll try his method again; maybe I was just too groggy". Well, it failed again, but I thought I'd slip the socket on from inside the middle gap and then work the extension through. That did work on the left side, but the right was off just a little bit. "OK - he's goofy or he has a slightly different manifold casting".

THEN - the sun came up and the birds started to chirp and the monarchs dipped their wings on the way to Mexico.

I was using a Craftsman 12-point socket, which has an OD of 21.5mm. Then I tried a ditto 6-point, which OD is 19.5mm ! ! !

It works just as you said, albeit a scooch off on the right, but a flex connector will take care of that. Everything is now soaking in PB Blaster for tonight.
This OD difference in sockets is something to remember for the future. I've been using Craftsman sockets since the middle '50s and this was a new one on me. Bicycles are easier !
Again, Thanks! I'll try the "B" switch when it's together.
Tom M.
P.S. Is xirdneh your city in OK, or did you attend xirdneh College in AR? Or is your first name imij?

[xirdneh]

Tom M.
P.S. Is xirdneh your city in OK, or did you attend xirdneh College in AR? Or is your first name imij?

its my "main mans" last name spelled backwards.

i'm in seabeck , washington