jj3500

This is for those love to smash their knuckles under the hood.

What are the options for removing exhaust manifolds with heavy rusted bolts? Does this turn out to be a nightmare? Removing heads and then tapping them out? or is there some sort of trade secret to get these out? Given the obvious, little space to work with, awkward angles with poor leverage points.

thanks

Fordzilla

If you can get an impact wrench in there (even a 3/8" drive) and use it at low power (trigger control is the key here), you will stand a better chance of not breaking bolts...I used that method successfully many times in my mechanic career...Ben

ofcmarc

Lots of penetrating oil.

Get a couple cans of the stuff. Every time you walk by the thing give it a squirt. After a day or so, hit the bolts with an impact.

chaikwa

Fire Wrench.

AkTallPaul

Patience is the key...get some penetrating oil, NOT WD40....I like Master Blaster....give each bolt a little squirt then take a big punch and hammer and smack the bolt...Do this every chance you can for mim. of two days, third day and impact on light setting should pop it easy...

jj3500

As always. There is a wealth of knowledge on here. Thanks all for the advice. I'll give it a whirl.

ghenges

Welding a nut onto a mainfold bolt is kind of a last resort, but it can often accomplish the task.
Weld on a larger nut to get the maximum weld area.

The weld heat has a secondary benefit in that it heats the manifold bolt.

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I never tried it, but I have heard having the head hot from running is an advantage to bolt removal.


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12valve@heart

The advantage is that it automatically cauterizes your busted knuckle so that it quits bleeding.

Seriously, I think welding/heating the manifold bolt would have more advantage because of the bolt expanding and breaking the rust bond while the head was cooler.

Spooler

Heat it with a torch....then hit it with an impact wrench if you can get it in there. Works everytime.

SIXSLUG

Kroil, lots and lots of Kroil, light impact as suggested.

Kurt

J.Suplanski

Liquid Wrench, works every time, been around for decades