Removing exhaust manifold

[Martin123]

I'm replacing the exhaust manifold gasket in my 1989 325 Touring and I've been checking the location of the studs and seeing that the nuts are not seized. So far so good. On checking the lower row of studs it seems that two of them are obscured by the downpipe from the manifold. I've not yet been underneath to check access to these two. Can they be reached with a socket or is a spanner in order?
Cheers

[daimlerman]

You should be able to thread a suitable three eigth drive socket on a short extension through gaps in the casting to reach the more 'difficult' manifold nuts.

[Martin123]

Thanks daimlerman I'll get to those two nuts first.

[daimlerman]

Whilst you have the manifold off,it will be a good idea to check it's mounting face for flatness,these things are known to warp with age and then pull studs out.