Getting bolts out without Breaking?

(2010-05-30 13:00:16)

1. Joe E Says: Im working on my manifold on my engine... its a 4.6l v8 and im trying to get the manifold off on each side but im having a tough time doing so. Ive been spraying jb80 on them the past couple weeks and nothing happened and i tried to heat them up and nothing and i think i stripped 2 and broke 1.... i did get 3 off but those werent with anything, i need some ideas cause i really need them off....

2. Slardi Says: Try PB BLASTER. You can also try to heat them with a hand held torch before you remove the nut/stud from the manifold. They just get really rusted over time thats why they are so hard to get off wihtout breaking them.

3. J Says: an impact wrench >>LOW PRESSURE // LOW TORQUE << sometimes will work.

short ,bursts it has a vibrating effect, i was surprised to see it work !!

4. retstocks Says: Heat will always work if you get them hot enough, that is hard with exhaust manifolds if the engine is in the car because of access problems.

I usually just let them break and get the manifold out of the way so I have good access with a torch, then I apply enough heat to get the broken bolts red and remove the pieces with a vise grip or an easy out if they break off flush.

An impact wrench will probably just break them off anyway, the times when hand application will snap a bolt but an impact will vibrate them loose enough to get them out intact are rare.

Replace all the bolts at reassembly, not just the broken ones and use never-seize on the threads.

Good Luck!

5. The-Razors-Edge Says: Try using a 6 point box end wrench. They will grip the bolt head evenly and exert the turning force on each side of the head unlike the open-end wrench which only mainly exerts the force on two sides only.