heres my dilemma

i got ALL the exhaust manifold bolts off except for the last one

i rounded that one off

how can i get it out??

i dont have a torch

i dont have a welder

any ideas

its in a tight area so i dont think a drill will fit

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You can do the usual bolt removal tricks...

1. Hammer a socket (that you don't mind destroying) on to the rounded off bolthead. The socket should be smaller than the bolthead, so it "cuts" it's way on.

2. Take a file, and either restore a hex head shape to the head (that you could maybe get a grip with a smaller socket), or, file the thing into a "slot" that you could grip with a pair of visegrips or channel locks or pliers.

3. Is this the last bolt holding the exhaust manifold on? Try putting two other bolts in "near" the rounded off one, and tighten 'em up. This might reduce some of the stress on the last remaining bolt, and it might loosen up easier.

4. Hacksaw the sucker's head off. Is this on the 3.1? All the snapped exhaust manifold bolts I've seen on V6's have just had the head missing, and when I've taken the manifold off, I was able to twist the remainder of the bolt loose with visegrips- EASILY. I think the bolt heads rust to the manifolds, instead of the threads rusting to the head.

** When you reinstall these, try to use new bolts, and even if you can't use new ones, make sure you put a ton of anti-seize on the bolts when you put them on the motor again.

 

thanx TomP

its on my Z28's 305 actually

i bought headers for it and was pulling off the old manifolds

i got the driver side perfectly

but this last bolt is killing me

i think that the hammer/socket idea will work

its a 14mm head......so i guess i should try to wedge a 13mm on there..........?i dont think i can file the friggin thkng cuz there is a heat sheilding around the manifold.............

THANX

 

is it the very last bolt on the pass side? that ones a biotch

 

actually its the 2nd to last one all the way in the back


i removed the AC condensor core (actually tore it out cuz i dont have A/C anymore) to get to that very last bolt in the back

i was able to get to it with my 1/2 breaker bar

but this one that is rounded off............

 

I GOT IT OFF!!!!!

i bought a special type of socket from the Matco tool guy at work today

its a socket with curved inner walls so it can grab the rounded head

what you do is put the socket on the problem bolt
smack it on with a hammer
and pull that muthafukka off

:hail: John Mutch Matco Tools Salesman

 

Actually, the head should have been a 9/16" hex, not a 14mm. If a 14 mil fits, the heads are already eroding away. New (SS) bolts would be a good idea, along with a she-ot load of anti=sieze and Tom professes. Even new carbon steel bolts would be better than what you have now.

 

hey man

thats common sense vader

i would have to be a BIG idiot to try an reuse those same bolts

thanx for the concern

but i think since the tool worked so well, i'm going to order the entire set of those sockets next wednesday just as long as i can run my tab up a little and pay him off $40 a week

my friggin toolbox is overflowing, i need a bigger box, but i cant really afford that right now

 

whats tom professes?