Need Advice

scott 730 · March 28, 2010

I have 2 broken bolts and was going to fix them today but couldn't get the other 4 bolts out. I don't want to break any more by removing them, so would they come out easier if the engine was up to operating temperature? Part of me is thinking that the head might expand more than the bolts and ease removal. What has worked for you guys that have done this before?

XtremeAaron · March 28, 2010

Give em some heat. Its always worked for me when bolts are seized or start breaking.

Westlotorn · March 28, 2010

What engine? Which bolts are stuck/broken? Cast iron heads or Aluminum?

There are many tricks to use but you really need to know in what situation.

scott 730 · March 28, 2010

Sorry. 2001 5.3 with aluminum heads. Back 2 bolts on drivers side exhaust manifold are broke off.

RaddHazzard · March 28, 2010

To remove tough bolts i always use the tappity tap method. Put you socket on there, then gently tap it with a hammer. Its takes time but always works in a few minutes. Ive also heard of heating up the area and touching a wax candle to it. Apparently the wax gets drawn into the threads and removal is easy. Good Luck.

Nytemare · March 29, 2010

Yeah...operating temp isn't enough...and Aluminum doesn't expand when heated (it does, but its negligible)...that's why they use it for pistons.

What we do is heat them cherry read with a torch, hit them with a hammer...a pretty decant smack....than quickly cool them with water. Than heat them to cherry red again, hit them and let them air cool down to a temp you can touch them at, than they should come loose.

The old Toyota had the right Idea...they used brass bolts...they never got stuck in the head.

jblakeney · March 29, 2010

I have 2 broken bolts and was going to fix them today but couldn't get the other 4 bolts out. I don't want to break any more by removing them, so would they come out easier if the engine was up to operating temperature? Part of me is thinking that the head might expand more than the bolts and ease removal. What has worked for you guys that have done this before?

Heat my friend heat....

You need a torch..... On a cooking bottle on a hose does not matter.... Gotta heat it up a bit..... Are you trying to take the exhaust manifold off? Or just change some broke bolts?

Jbo

scott 730 · March 29, 2010

..... Are you trying to take the exhaust manifold off? Or just change some broke bolts?

Jbo

I need to remove the drivers side manifold to fix 2 broken bolts. 1 is broke off flush with the head, the other is broke off flush with the manifold, so it's probably sticking out about 3/8" from the head.

jblakeney · March 30, 2010

..... Are you trying to take the exhaust manifold off? Or just change some broke bolts?

Jbo

I need to remove the drivers side manifold to fix 2 broken bolts. 1 is broke off flush with the head, the other is broke off flush with the manifold, so it's probably sticking out about 3/8" from the head.

No problem warm the rest of them up pretty good.... but keep in mind DONT BURN THEM OUT..... Get you a GOOD set of bird beak VISE grip brand vice grips. Warm the broke ones up one at the time bite the remainder of the bolt and work back and forth slightly while warming. Aughttta come right out...

Edgewise, your gonna have to drill a pilot hole and get a easy out and get the out.

Jbo

jro909 · March 30, 2010

i have a broken bolt also...no leak yet so i'm waiting to cough up for 400 bucks...is this a risky move or is it ok to leave for now? i know for sure it dosen't leak but i get a click when the accelerator is applied...sorry to thread jack

jblakeney · March 30, 2010

i have a broken bolt also...no leak yet so i'm waiting to cough up for 400 bucks...is this a risky move or is it ok to leave for now? i know for sure it dosen't leak but i get a click when the accelerator is applied...sorry to thread jack

Exhaust manifold bolts that the head has broken off... Hrm, I have a 1999 GMC Sierra. That has had 2 off on the drivers side head since I purchased it in 2001..... It developed a descent exhaust leak tick about a year ago. It is not that bad. I am not going to pull my manifolds off till the engine has to come out of the truck.

I can live with the extra noise..... I have a flowmaster system under my truck so it is not the quietest truck on the group.

Oh well, but I think if it really started buggn me I probably would get to new manifolds, gaskets, and some Stage 8 Lock fasteners and put it all back together..

Either way nearly every LS engine I have worked on had at least one exhaust manifold bolt broken off.

Jbo

jro909 · March 30, 2010

i was told if it starts leaking it will fry the exhaust valves

jblakeney · March 30, 2010

i was told if it starts leaking it will fry the exhaust valves

It could....... If it leaks really bad and your running the engine hard enough.

As many as I have seen with broken bolts I doubt it an issue......

Jbo

Stex · March 30, 2010

Heat is Ok but someone above mentioned cherry red...depending on what your eye says is cherry red you are talking about 1,250-1,500 degs F. This is to0 hot for the area and heads. Quenching with water at that heat may also damage the manifold.

Soaking with liquid wrench, LPS etc.. and letting it sit awhile may help...may not...may want to ask a local shop about the one broken even with the head....that one may require some extra work...

pmax · May 11, 2010

I have 3 or 4 broken off as well as a cracked mounting flange on the passenger side manifold. I don't know if they are broken flush or there is a stub left. I am concerned that I will spend more on labor to fix than the cost of reman heads. Anyone have any thoughts on this?