UGH........broken Y-pipe to header bolt

[SnickterP]

as i was taking out the bolts that put the Y-pipe up to the exhaust manifolds, it just decided to strip on me. half of it is stuck inside the header, with about maybe half an inch sticking out. whats the best way to tackle this....spray with liquid wrench and then try vice grips to un thread it? any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[RStalveyARFF]

liquid wrench isn't going to do jack for you in that situation. You're going to need to heat that mainfold like no tomorrow, and then try to unthread the stud. Worst case scenario, get the y-pipe back on as best as you can, buy the 4 studs, and have them replaced. I always have 4 on hand per clutch job just in case, and I even have acetylene. It's a SHO, **** happens, more often than not!! Good luck though!

 

[SnickterP]

Thanks for the advice man. we tried heating it, and it didnt help the situation. i just pulled the header off and 2 of my friends myself tried everything we could to the the stupid POS out. you wouldnt belive how frustrating it could be. we ended up leaving it at a local auto parts place with a machine shop to let them take care of it. now FINALLY i'll have my Y-pipe on

 

[RTStabler51]

if its the front (which I had happen to me also) just take manifold its self off. its pretty damn easy. Remove the Fans, and the heat shield and waaalah, your at the exhaust manifold bolts. That way you wreslte aroun with it. Then as stated heater up..and it will come it....

 

[SnickterP]

Ok, everything is back on now, but there seems to be something burning off from the manifold where it connects to the head. kind of like a greyish smoke, smells like burning plastic, not exhaust at all. could i need a new header gasket?

 

[shojuan]

Probably antiseize compound burning off. Be thankful that your shop used it. (I had the same thing happen with my truck after I replaced the cylinder head. I used *lots* of antiseize on the manifold to head studs and bolts.

Rick

 

[pete c]

You're lucky. You busted the front side. I busted one off on the rear. Taking the rear manifold off requires pulling the head. I ended up snapping off an easy out and drilling it out. The hole was a bit off center, so I had to drill it oversized. I ended up putting a longer stud in with a nut on the back side.

For those of you who do this, get a torch. Spend a few bucks more for a map gas torch, you can get one at sears for about 35 bucks. It has a much hotter flame than propane. The bolt I snapped was slowly coming out when it decided to snap. I did the remaining bolts with heat and had no problems.

 

[LI_SHO]

As I was SnickterP's assistant...we figured out it was all the liquid wrench we sprayed in/on the exhaust manifold that was burning off...thank god, and we're lucky it only smelt real bad and was nothing serious. Does anyone know what size donut gasket we need for the connection between the y-pipe and the cat back?

 

[SolidState]

heh, yeah, I know all about that liquid wrench stench...

About 2 hours ago my brother was driving with me and asked what the smell was...lol...

Alot of smoke too..