Well, i'm in the middle of my engine swap, my immediate deadline in friday afternoon the swap must be completely finished.

I was able to remove all the bottom TPI runner bolts but i coudn't remove half the top runner bolts. They are almost all stripped like glory. I tried bigger sizez, different shapes, even pounding in larger sizes. But nothing worked. I used vise grips they just keep falling off the bolt.

How do i get the darn plenum off now? I was able to remove all bottom runner bolts just no top bolts.

Can i unbolt the fuel rail and remove the plenum? maybe?


BTW: everything is set except the fact i dont have my intake off yet. Once that happens i can install the intake on my new 350 and put her in.

go to you local autoparts store and they should have a bolt extractor. I can't remember the exact name, but they make one just for this type of situation. In fact Craftsmans makes a good one. They have swirled teeth inside the socket. They work great.

If you can get a cut-off wheel to them, just cut a slot through the head and use a square shaft flat head screwdriver and a wrench.

i went to autozone and got the bolt extractor kit. Best $20 i ever spent. Except it was funny. I used the proper szed extractor and it stripped my newly drilled hole. So i went bigger and it popped the head off. The i was able toinger the darn bolt out. Makes me wonder why it was stuckin the first place.

Why did they stick? Probably, because they were previously torqued without anti-seize compound. Always use anti-seize on anything threaded into aluminum. It'll save you the headache next time.

hmmmm antiseize? lol new to me, ummm what is antiseize? can i use regular RTV?

I have plenty of RTV and sealers, but nothing that says anytiseize. I have thread locker. I bought new bolts with allen heads on them. Should be ok.

anti-seize is a compound to prevent the bolts from sticking.
most places sell the packages for about a dollar or two.

well hmmm, seems like when i get out to the project tomorow morning i better take all those bolts out again. Cant hav this episode happen next time. thanks guys.