Probably the most difficult to access 8mm Bolt in the known Universe.

[Abott10]

Once it stopped raining, spent a couple of leisurely hours making further progress reassembling the Cylinder Head on my favourite MG ZT-T 1.8T following Head Gasket renewal.

After fitting the new Timing Belt, the lower Timing Belt Cover needed three 8mm bolts top secure it to the lower crankcase. Two bolts are readily assessable whilst a third is covered comprehensively by the Power Steering Pump Polyvee Drive Belt Tensioner. Even with my special tool to hold that Tensioner out of the way against its powerful spring ( actually a strong four inch nail cut down ), replacing that deep set third 8mm bolt is no easy task. Difficult to remove ~ in previous ownership it had been removed but, not replaced during what I suspect was Water Pump renewal. That Pump looked shiny brand new still and I broke a golden rule of mine, not to replace that this time. I have done over 2000 miles in this car since I bought it and coolant level has been reliably stable. I may regret that later but ...

So I now have a new spare K-series Water Pump. That will come in handy sometime. They always do.

The attached images show what was involved. Once the three 8mm bolts were in place, I fitted the CRANKshaft Belt Drive Pulley. I then moved onto fitting the Exhaust Manifold using the Allen key drive manifold Studs which I always fit to my own and the family's cars when the opportunity to do so arises. Must have fitted a dozen of these Stud sets now over the years. So convenient.

The final two images show the cut off nail and its use in the Tensioner holding it clear of the limited work space to access that pesky 8mm bolt.

[roverbarmy]

The last time I did that job, I bought an extended, angled ratchet spanner, specifically for that job. It's hanging in the garage and hopefully, I should never need to use it. I'll see if I can get a pic tomorrow.

[marinabrian]

I always remove one of the M8 fixing bolts and slacken the other holding the tensioner so it can be pivoted out of the way when removing or replacing the M6 bolt securing the lower timing cover.

Saves loads of swearing, and the risk of running the M6 bolt into the oil pump housing cross threaded

Brian

[roverbarmy]

My angled ratchet spanners for awkward spots. I had several sizes but can only find this one at the moment.
https://imgur.com/gs6H6G1
Mike

[ashy90]

I know its an old thread, but you or others might find it useful.

To gain access to that pesky 8mm bolt securing the plastic timing belt cover, I realised you just need to remove one of the tensioner body bolts (10mm?) and slacken the other one, then the tensioner just swings down out of the way of that pesky 8mm. Pin the tensioner like you have done to access one of the bolts.