2000 1500 5.3 Exhaust Manifold Bolts

[dougs01gt]

I am having a problem with a ticking sound under load in my truck. I have 2 broken exhaust bolts on the manifold. One is right in front with about 3/8 sticking out and the other is located closest to the firewall on the DS and broken flush with the head. Is it possible to get to the back one by pulling the fender liner so you dont have to pull the head? BTW is the an over head cam or just 1 cam?

 

Thanks

[kgrigsby]

That sucks, I had to fix 2 broken bolts on my 1999 4.8l. But no big deal.

Get a angle drill, small one with a short drill bit so you can access the site, I made up a drill guide to fit into the exhast manifold bolt hole so you make sure you drill down the center of the broken stud. then use a easy out ( preferably the spiral style, i had no luck with the parallel type).

Take your time, (make sure you do not drill to deep!). it may take a couple of hours to do this but it will be $300.00 and 4hrs to pull the head (thats if you do it yourself!)

Another thing GM upgraded the exhaust manifold bolts the last couple of years to solve this so it would be a good idea to replace all the old ones. good luck take your time and you should have no problem!