Removing the two exhaust pipes from exhaust manifold

What's the secret for disconnecting the two exhaust pipes from the exhaust manifold. It seems almost impossible to get to all of the nuts and bolts with everything that is in the way. I've almost been debating on removing the intake and exhaust manifolds and then pull the engine. May need to pull it once I drop the oil pan to see what is causing my knock. Looks like removing the manifolds, then the engine and then crawling into the engine compartment and unbolting or cutting and replacing the bolts between the manifold and pipe might be the easier way to go.