ahickman

After soaking the exhaust manifold to muffler bolts in PB Blaster, I wound all but one off with ease. The third nut spins but does not back off. Seems the bolt threads are stripped enough that the nut can't catch. Can anyone tell me if the studs on the muffler side of the exhaust manifold are replaceable or are they seated permanently? If permanent, what would you suggest doing to repair the stripped threads?

darksoldier313

if u can heat the nut up and get off that way u might be able to fix it with a good ol tap and die set and what yr make and model engine size??

85TurboRunner

Get a header.

Bako88

Hey hickman, I just checked a spare manifold that I have and the bolts are replaceable. The two on the block side go completely through, and the one on the fender side terminates. Hope this helps.

Bako88

Wee hours of the night for you ain't it? 9:50 PST = 12:50 EST

ahickman

Bako88, thanks for the insight. The block is a 22R in an 84 2WD truck. From what i could see (low light), the bolt threads were very far gone and would not be enough to re-thread using a tap. If I can get the studs out all will be good and won't need to hunt for a replacement header. Hate to pay $100 when I can just buy a stud or two.

Thanks,

Aaron

Bako88

I my extra manifold off a 1992 would fit on that 22r, you can have it for the cost of shipping.

Otherwise, I think there are tools out there that will grip that stud so you can get it out. Or can you get a pair of ViseGrips or Channel-Locks to it?

MidtownYota

Whoa, thats too bad. When i took off my manifold i soaked it with PB for about 2 hrs. before i touched it. The only thing that broke were the bolts that held the heat shield on.

abecedarian

see if you can tap a chisel in between the nut and flange as you spin the nut, giving it some incentive to move away from the flange, or tack weld the nut to the stud and see if you can get the stud to back out of the manifold.

ahickman

Went ahead and took the grinder to the nuts and got the manifold off. Looks like the bolts were stripped and then helicoils were used to repair both. Soaked the studs in PB and have gotten two of the three out. One is holding on tight and will soak over night in the 5 degree air. If I can't get it to loosen in the morning with a vise, I will cut it off and drill it out, tap it and be done with it. Thanks Bako88 for the offer. Sometimes I just refuse to give up!

ahickman

Abe, good evening! Hope you are staying warm. Before grinding off the nuts, I tried what you suggest. Used a prybar to push up on the nut hoping it would catch a thread. No luck and worried about fractures in the manifold or muffler. Hate to add to my problems. Have to remember the tack weld suggestion, however. A Miller MIG welder is something I am considering as a next big purchase.