Exhaust header removal question

[cascadia]

I have a 65 230SL with the early style long branch headers.  I'm trying to remove them and running into a problem with the set that's furthest back next to the firewall.  When I pull it outwards off of the threaded rods it hits the side of the engine bay wall before coming free of the rods.  Am I supposed to remove the threaded rods from the head?  Seems like a poor design, I sure don't want to break off those rods either.  Anyone done this?

[Benz Dr.]

I have the same heders on my car and I can get them off but they are tight.
If your motor mounts are bad that will let the engine drop down and make it harder to remove the pipes. You might be able to put a small floor jack under the oil pan and lift the engine on one side. Put a piece of wood between the pan and the floor jack.

[cascadia]

Thanks Dan, that's good advice.