As with any simple job I attemp to do, it always turns into a multi day project. I'm one bolt away from swapping in a new pass side exhaust manifold gasket. The problem is that the whole stud is loose but the front nut is siezed to the oil dipstick bracket. Any attempts to loosen the nut, and the dipstick bracket twists and the dipstick moves. And I have been using pb blaster all day on it. I even tried holding the back bolt while trying to loosen. Will not budge.

Any tips on getting this off? I would rather not break the dipstick tube.

1985 305 TPI

 

Instead of holding the bolt, have you tried holding the bracket?

 

Like grabbing it with a pair of vice grips and hold it with that? I could try. Thanks for the tip.

 

Maybe warm it up a little but don't burn your car up.

 

The "bolt" isn't a "bolt" at all; it's a nut, on a stud.

Hold the hex on the stud still with an open-end wrench. Probably have to be a thin one. Might need to get one and grind it down.

 

Heat up your nuts then do your un-screwing!

 

Yes I understand its a nut on a stud. And I have been holding it still from behind the bracket. The problem is, is that whole stud is loose (hence the gasket blow out at that location) but the front nut rust-welded itself to the face of the bracket. Everything spins together, but that bracket is bending all because that nut is rusted to the bracket.

Holding the back stud while trying to remove the front nut is not working. Guess I am not strong enough.

 

This is where mans greateat invention works wonders, FIRE!

 

What gaskets are you using??

 

The 9 dollar fel pro set. There's a paper set in there now that is completely shot.

 

This is what I use on headers, but a bit bigger size. I've never used a gasket with manifolds..

 

Can you get an impact in there? If so, hold the hex on the stud with a wrench (or vice grips) and give it a couple quick zaps with the impact. Impacts do a MUCH better job busting loose frozen fasteners than the steady pull of a hand-wrench does.

As was said above, heat is also your friend. Use the two together and you could loosen the main hull bolts on the Titanic, eventually.

 

I don't think there is adequate room for an impact for that bolt.. I would get some MAP Gas and heat it until it is cherry red but not white hot. That will assist it in breaking loose