vabeachvette

Last thread was about how I broke off the head of one of my manifold bolts, well today was the first day back out in the garage, got the rest of the bolts undone and seperated the manifold from the exhaust pipes but I am having trouble getting the manifold off the bolt shaft that remained. I am guessing that the bolt I broke must have been badly frozen to the manifold and not the motor. Right now I can twist the manifold back and forth (though some metal rods inside the manifold are limiting the amount I can move it) and I moved it about 1/4 inch away from the head (see pic) but for the last hour it has not budged a bit more. I think the broken bolt is moving in the head when I twist the manifold, so I am wondering if I should cut the bit of bolt I can see and then get some vise grips on it to unscrew it once the manifold is off.

Does this sound like a good plan? What if metal shaving get into the motor through the exhaust ports?

Anyone have any other ideas.

sweethence

can you move the manifold further awa from the head?

big_G

Your doing fine, hopefully when the manifold comes off, the bolt remains will unscrew fairly easily. Spray lots of penetrant and keep working the manifold in and out. It should come free.

kona

Can you spray some PB Blaster in there and let it soak awhile? I personally wouldn't cut that bolt I would want as much sticking out of the head as possible so that there is plenty to grap onto.
Maybe try tapping it with a mallet while trying to pull if off.

Kona

moosie982

Why dont you try some heat on the portion of the manifold that the offending bolt goes thru. Just dont set the car on fire , otherwise just continue with some sort of solvent ,(WD40, RUST BUSTER, ETC.) back and forth and a pulling motion & I betcha it comes off, hopefully sooner then later,,,,,Peace,,, Moosie

vabeachvette

thanks for all the input but I have tried all the steps mentioned above (PB blaster, used about 1/2 the can on this one bolt, hit is several times with the rubber mallet etc...) except for heating it with a torch.....for over an hour, I even had the crow bar out for a bit, I can't move the manifold back towards the motor it is stuck big time on the bolt, the only motion I can get is clockwise and counterclock wise about an inch due to the rods that are on the inside of the manifold.

When i move it in a cw/ccw motion I see the bolt move so i think I won't need much to grab onto to get her out if I cut it and it only leaves 1/4 inch of bolt. Any other recommendations aside from the torch, my neck still hurts from the broken bolt and I didn't really want to get any burns!!!

vabeachvette

cut it and unscrewed the problem child, installing exhaust manifold tomorrow and hopefully will be back on the road to enjoy some of this weather. Those of you who left threads thanks.

Aflac

i had a similar problem pulling mine.. sheared the head off only tol find out that the bolt was frozen in the manifold.. ended up breaking the manifold to get it off...

Oldguard 7

It is supposed to rain Wendesday...Temp 63.

vabeachvette

Yeah, I just saw, well hopefully you got yours out yesterday and today

Oldguard 7

I did get it out yesterday, beautiful day. Went to Pep Boys and bought
some throttle return springs.

Aflac

after looking at those shots, try to get the longest sawzall blade you can get that is hardened and cut through the bolts...i tried with a regular hacksaw blade and wiped out the teeth..