ok.. i have a '89 IROC with the LB9... 80k miles


i figured i would replace the thermostat since i'm sure it has never been done before...

but anyway... i'm trying to remove the bolts for the housing, and they won't budge...
i sprayed some penetrating lube on them and let them sit for a while and then came back and got the one on the back side to move a little but it's taking a lot of torque to get it to move... i feel like i'm going to break the bolt off


anybody else ever had this problem? i've replaced stats before on my old z28 and brothers transam without problems

does it sound like the bolts are just frozen into the intake? it might just be time for a new intake if that's the case

thx for the help

 

uh oh.

Whats happened is the iron bolts have corrode-welded to the aluminum manifold. This happens when anti sieze was not used.

I'd try hitting it with an impact and a prayer. If you just keep applying constant pressure, it's gonna snap for sure.

But I would be prepared to drill it out.

 

If you still have a seal I would start the car up and get it hot, then shut it off and spray the heck out of the bolts. Keep spraying and let it cool down all the way, that might help.

 

personally I would hit it with hammer and throw a torch on it n get them glowing red then an impact. thats prob your best bet.

 

thx for the replies guys.....

i ended up just spraying some more penetrating lube on there and getting out my 2' homemade breaker bar

it worked.. didn't break the bolt... so i guess i don't have an excuse to buy a kickass intake

i cleaned the bolts and holes as good as i could and antisiezed them to death

 

OK, I read this....I broke the bolt on mine. What size bolt to I need to replace it, it's a 9/16th head, what size drill bit and what size tap? HELP ME PLEASE!!!!

 

3/8-16 by what ever length

 

Thanks ede! Wish me luck.