Advice Needed: Water By-Pass Pipe O-Ring/Pipe/Hose Replacement? (stum, '94 GT Coupe, 2.2L Options

[dimj]

Starting getting coolant leaking from the bottom pipe, the end of the pipes closest to the oil filter. Purchased the o-ring from dealer, but am having a heck of a time getting a good bite on the two nuts that keep these hoses/pipes fastened down (1/4" ratchet doesn't even fit). Removal of the oil filter does not appear to be much help, since it's really not in the way. It appears that the exhaust manifold heat shield must come off, but what about the manifold itself? I can get a flared wrench on one of the bolts, but the wrench is starting to round off the nut (used PB Blaster and let it sit for 24 hrs, but no dice). I would imagine that someone else out there must have had to remove these pipes in the past, and could really use some advice. Help!