Rusty bolt removal

[TK421]

Hi folks...in anticipation of my manifold, carb and ps upgrade I have begun removing my Carter 1bbl and hit the manifold bolts with PB blaster. The carb and intake bolts came off real easy but...the exhaust manifold bolts are rusted beyond recognition. I only tried one but it was siezed and one pass with the wrench stripped rust that used to be the bolt pattern. Now it is practically round. I see this being an issue with all of them.

Advice?

I did not want to just start tearing them out with the vice grips until I heard from those who have done this. Thanks...

[andy d]

Use a 6 point socket, not a 12 point. Make the first twist a tighten, not a loosen. If the right size socket won't grab, pound on the next smaller size , often a metric socket to get a good purchase. Use some rust buster. :thumbsup:

[jaber]

There was a thread on here comparing penetrate oils. The best was a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF.

[TK421]

There was a thread on here comparing penetrate oils. The best was a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF.

sorry for the lame question...atf? Automatic transmission fluid? The acetone I have...
:confused: I'm such a newb...

[shackwrrr]

yes atf= auto trans fluid.

[seventynine]

Heat them with a torch until they are cherry red. Let it cool and then try to remove it. A propane torch won't do it. You'll need an acetylene set up or you might be able to get away with a mapp gas torch.

Dean

[Bill Moore]

There was a thread on here comparing penetrate oils. The best was a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF.

If you want a can to try, its sold in a spray can called MD88. works miracles

[TK421]

Thank you for all the great ideas, I have to try and get these out this evening as Jeepguyp is swinging by with a new set tomorrow afternoon, btw I will need new bolts, this is just a swing buy the parts store find right?

[tkiller13]

Use a 6 point socket, not a 12 point. Make the first twist a tighten, not a loosen. If the right size socket won't grab, pound on the next smaller size , often a metric socket to get a good purchase. Use some rust buster. :thumbsup:

Good advice. For the bolts that the heads are stripped, crafstmen makes a socket set just for this. I have great luck using them.

[gotmike]

if you can get to them a small pipe wrench works better than vice grips any day... and if you have a welder then you can sometimes line a nut up with the original bolt and put a good weld inside the nut so as to not damage the outside but you will need to put the nozzle on your welder right at the top of the nut and just keep the welder there for a couple seconds... no simple tack welding... move the welder in small circles and it should give you a good weld inside there... plus it'll heat the bolt and help it come out...

[ricbee]

Use a 6 point socket, not a 12 point. Make the first twist a tighten, not a loosen. If the right size socket won't grab, pound on the next smaller size , often a metric socket to get a good purchase. Use some rust buster. :thumbsup:Not just any 6-point,find a snap-on,or other brand of 6 point the has'flank drive'you will see what appears to holes drilled at each corner of each point.This transfers the torque to the SIDES of the bolt head,rather than the corners,thus reducing the chance of stripping or round the head any further.You'll be surprised what difference this small detail makes.

[TK421]

some of my deep sockets have flank drive, I have everything soaking now so hopefully I will be able to get them out in the morning before my new set arrives...Jeepguyp wants my exhaust manifold in exchange fo the setup he's gettin me and I don't want to have to have him waiting around for it...

[CJ the noisemaker]

B-B-B-BREAKER BAR!!!

works better than ratchets OR wrenches.

[TK421]

thanks for all the help, it turned out everyone's advice helped but I still ended up with one bolt that has to be cut...yep one holding on to the exhaust flange just wont back out or give up its grip on the exhaust manifold so it gets cut tomorrow morning. The intake came off easy.

:thumbsup:

[bowtieman55]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WzXNWe2sL._SL500_AA280_.jpg