can i also remove the manifolds and feed it through there

 

maybe.
but you still have to remove the plugs so that you can turn the engine.
and your rope will have to be small enough to feed down through the open valve.
and you'll have to rotate the engine to where the exhaust valve is max open.
plus, you'd have to remove the exhaust manifolds, which often breaks a bolt.

its a lot lot lot easier to slip it down the spark plug hole. why are you wanting to do it different ?

 

+1 to vaughan, You won't get the rope past the exhaust valve.

 

How is feeding the rope through a valve going to be able to hold the valves closed? It has to be open to get the rope past it, yes?

 

Psst, quiet Bill! Let him think thru it and figure it out. Don't just give him all the answers!

 

Better yet, why not just have him sub in thread in place of the rope ... about 1000 feet of it. That way he CAN slip it into the exhaust port.

 

duh. i think i'll change my answer from maybe to "you better not do that". yes you might be able to feed a very small rope through the open valve, but there's only one very serious problem... how you going to get it out ?