Missing manifold bolt?

Daryl LBZ · June 19, 2014

The thing about the brackets that I don't understand is how they fasten to the manifold. I understand how they work, just not how they mount.

white1500 · June 19, 2014

Watch the videos for the product, it will explain everything you need to know.

And... I can't weld nor have the equipment to do so. And paying for that to be done might be more expensive than the clamps?

trapperman83 · June 20, 2014

I would do it the right way, that bracket seems like a bandaid on a wound to me but that's just me.

Daryl LBZ · June 20, 2014

I would do it the right way, that bracket seems like a bandaid on a wound to me but that's just me.

I'm not to worried about doing a band aid at this point since my motor has 232,000 on it.

02suburbanZ71 · June 20, 2014

I would do it the right way, that bracket seems like a bandaid on a wound to me but that's just me.

X2. Drill it out

txab · June 20, 2014

At least check it out and see if there might be enough stud to grab on to.

white1500 · June 20, 2014

I'll definitely do more research on these band aids but if it works, great. The time, effort and tools needed to drill or weld a but onto isn't justified in most cases IMO. I need to remove the leak cost effectively because I could then use more funds elsewhere, like shocks later this summer. And while also provisioning for sudden unexpected issues.

Carder09 · June 20, 2014

When I did my headers, had the same issue and had enough of the stud to pull out the rest of the bolt. I then ordered some stage 8 locking bolts and installed them. Very easy job to do especially if you are NOT putting in long tube headers lol.

Daryl LBZ · June 20, 2014

I went ahead and ordered one for my drivers side to see if it works. With way over 200k on my motor I'll give it a shot. I ordered them from this place though.

http://www.kralautoparts.com/order-parts.html

Daryl LBZ · June 28, 2014

Well, I installed my band aid kit today. It was pretty easy. Had to remove the heat shield, and modify it a small amount, but it all but fixed my leak.

The instructions say to retorque the pinch washer after driving for a few days. I think once I do that the leak will be completely gone.

I also think most of what I'm hearing now is a small leak where the manifold connects to the exhaust pipe. Compared to how bad the manifold leaked before I'm satisfied with how it turned out.

Cloudsplitter · June 29, 2014

I still don't see where the OP has discovered if the bolts are just missing or are broken. I'm hoping for the sake of easy repair they just backed out, but I doubt that. This is a design problem where vibration over time causes fatigue on one one area causing the bolt head to break off. Not pointing the finger at GM, happens on many vehicles. Just hard to anticipated that long-term. Hopefully the manifold clamp loads on the newer trucks is more evenly distributed.

Broken or not, F the OEM bolts. You need something stronger, go ARP. This is only place I have found where you can buy ARP 12 points as singles for a reasonable price, and the guy ships fast.

http://www.allensfasteners.com

He carries all ARP hardware, kits included. Just find out what the stock bold size and thread pitch is and order that in ARP Stainless 12 point (180K psi tensile strength). Anytime you have steel into aluminum threads or stainless into mild steel use plenty of anti-seize, quality high temp stuff, not the cheap silver paste from the Auto Parts store. Don't over Torque!

If that stud is broken, like many have said its likely the head broke off at the surface of the flange so you should have some bolt sticking out to grab. Shouldn't be too terrible to get out. If its broken off flush... good luck. No task I hate more than drilling and removing broken studs, especially in tight quarters.

white1500 · June 30, 2014

My apologies, I still havent had the time or patience to investigate the missing bolts.

Daryl, you were able to get all of this done from the top correct? How much time would say it takes?

I'd like to take care of this after July along with the shocks. And depending on how much trouble it is I think I should even replace the remaining bolts with new ones.

Daryl LBZ · June 30, 2014

Yep, I did all mine from the top. I actually climbed up and sat on the radiator support, and leaned on the top of the engine to do mine. The most time consuming part was removing the heat shield, and trimming it. I didn't time it, but I'd say I spent at least a half hour on it, maybe more. I had trouble with one heat shield bolt though so that didn't help much.