EGR - Removal??

[HALFGIG]

I'm pulling the intake off of my 2001 LS 3.9 engine and the shop manual says that I need to take off the EGR Valve. To me it looks like I can take the intake out without taking off the EGR. I have unbolted it from the intake and tried to break loose the valve from the tubing. I went as far as I wanted before something broke or I created a hernia. The bolt/nut for taking the EGR off is notched. This normally indicates reverse threads. Looking at the 3 threads that are visible on the tubing they are standard threads - Righty Tighty/Lefty Loosie.

Has anyone taken off the EGR from a Gen 1? I don't see how it will turn in place. I'm contemplating cutting the tubing and just put in a trap for the Exhaust Gas but I need to research that option a little more.

The reason for doing this is to pull the head off to replace a bent valve etc.

 

[FASTLLS]

Standing on the drivers side, you would pull down.. Hit it with some PB Blaster.. I just took mine off and it took some effort

 

[HALFGIG]

Thank you Sir. Does it have to be removed in order to get the Intake Manifold off?

 

[FASTLLS]

I would assume so.. Would be hard to get it off with it still attached but maybe you could do it