Removing nuts from exhaust manifold studs

[Ohiotinkerer]

Have a leaking seal where the headpipe meets the manifold on the passenger side on my 360 and wondering what the best method is to get it apart without twisting off the manifold studs. The truck came from a dry climate with no road salt in the winter so they aren't like the ones I have dealt with here in Ohio in the past and there's not a whole lot of room to get tools in there.

[1972hiboy]

start soaking with some good stuff. Apply heat by either running the engine for awhile of a torch and try massaging them back and forth.

[eggman918]

Acetone/ATF mixed 50/50 is the 'good stuff"

[Ohiotinkerer]

Acetone/ATF mixed 50/50 is the 'good stuff"

I've tried a lot of stuff in my life but that's a new one - who came up with that?

[cep62]

If you have a truck that lives in the rust belt , plan on using a oxy ,acetylene torch.
get either the nuts or manifold at the stud cherry red .
I like heating the manifold and removing the studs then buying new ones.

[sargentrs]

I've tried a lot of stuff in my life but that's a new one - who came up with that?

Don't know where it originally came from but our very own BobbyFord wrote up a great comparison article a while back. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=44934

[Ranchero50]

Yep, soak for a couple days and then heat the manifold to dull red to get the stud to come out. Same deal for the top bolts on the head.

[eggman918]

Acetone/ATF mixed 50/50 is the 'good stuff"

I've tried a lot of stuff in my life but that's a new one - who came up with that?

I was a machinist for a AG pump shop located in CA.'s central valley that was founded in 1919 and it was used there I don't know who came up with it originally as I've seen to recommended in other forums as well as here.....so some oldtimer somewhere or many oldtimers in many places independently, but it's the best I've ever found

[Ohiotinkerer]

I'll definitely give it a try - wasn't doubting anyone but that's a strange combo - I'm 52 and have used a lot of different stuff just not anything like that! Just goes to show you're never too old to learn something new!....

[fastEdsel]

I have tried the 50/50 ATF and acetone mix and could not get it to mix. It just wanted to separate before I can get it shot to the right area. Am I doing something wrong? At any rate, make sure your threads are "clean!" behind the nuts. And work them back and forth with heat and penetrating fluid, they will come. Good luck!

[Ohiotinkerer]

Gonna give it a try next week - gonna take a vacation day tomorrow to get the firewall pad and carpet in since our streak of nice weather is over Sat here in Ohio and I don't have a garage at the moment......its been good because now I'm way ahead of where I thought I would be - gotta have it ready to go to Tennessee Memorial weekend!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!

[Ohiotinkerer]

UPDATE...... All bolts and studs came right out after soaking them for 2 weeks with the 50/50 ATF-acetone mix - no heating or beating - I'm now a believer - and the best part is they weren't warped or cracked

Dropped them off at the performance shop across from where I work for a quick clean up and back together on Monday with all new stainless hardware.........thanks for the tip guys....

[Ranchero50]

I would run grade 8 vs. stainless and also pick up some nord-lock washers so the hardware doesn't back out. Google them.

[cep62]

I would run grade 8 vs. stainless and also pick up some nord-lock washers so the hardware doesn't back out. Google them.

Maybe even grade 5 , easier to drill out if you ever have to.