exhaust manifold/exhaust housing question

[dsmmike50t]

My tubular manifold is cracked, so I'm gonna take it off this weekend and install a stock 2g manifold. The problem is I used cheap stainless steel bolts to hold the tubular manifold to the exhaust housing and I'm scared that the bolts might snap in the exhaust housing. Does anyone know if its better to take out the bolts when the manifold is hot or will I have better luck taking the bolts off when the car is cold.

 

[Boostjunki84]

I would wait until the engine has cooled off before trying to take the bolts out.

Also, before you put the manifold on go ahead and port it out.

 

[hypnoticpimp]

Go to the hardware store and buy PB blaster... Spray down all the nuts real good and let it sit, the longer you let it sit the easy(er) it will be to take off...then take the car for a drive and take off the nuts

From my experience its always easyer to take them off when they're hot

 

[Mr Peepers]

I agree with a hot bolt/nut being easier to take remove.

I always get a good hard run in then spray it with Pb blaster or liquid wrench while it's still hot if it doesn't come off initially.

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

I wouldn't be too worried. I took of my stock bolts after 175,000 miles and none of them broke. It sounded like they were, but it was just the metal to metal scraping after 17 years. Make sure you apply straight up and downward force to the bolts, and pull/push like hell. Dont get off balance or you'll brake up or brake your ratchet or both.

James

 

[dSmgs-T]

^^
good coat of PB blaster and a hot engine should work good

 

[awdtalon21]

you could heat with a torch too

 

[meliketoball]

spray PB blaster on those mother effer's then turn the car on to heat up the manifold, get your pair of heavy leather gloves and attack the bolts.

 

[1992awdlaser]

I would wait until the engine has cooled off before trying to take the bolts out.

Why is that? You do know that the reason mechanics heat bolts with torches is because it makes them come loose easier right?

Here is what I would do.

1.Heat the bolts with a torch.
2.Pour water on the bolts so they cool off very fast.(this will help break rust loose)
3.Repeat steps 1 and 2
4. Now heat the bolts but don't pour water on them. Make sure you get them glowing.
5. Take them off with an impact gun.
6. Done most likely with no broken bolts.

 

[dsmmike50t]

Thanks for the help guys, I hope everything goes as planned.

 

[kenamond]

And use anti-seize on the threads of the new, high-grade bolt threads that I know you'll go out and buy along with the 2g mani instead of re-using the cheap bolts .

 

[dsmmike50t]

Already picked up new stock bolts for the 2g mani, this time around I aint taking any shortcuts.