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FlameRed
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
16:11:32
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 Subject: Header Bolts Suck
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I am planning on installing some Gibson headers on my 1995 Dak, but I've had them in my closet for about a year because I can't get the darn exhaust bolts loose. I don't want to break them off or anything. So any ideas?
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matt blough
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
18:20:08
|  RE: Header Bolts Suck
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In restoration, I've had to deal with this.. use an acetylene torch to heat up the HEAD surrounding the bolt, this will expand the metal, making it easier to break free... thats the "easy" method... you have to have pretty much everything flamable removed first, and enough room to work with the torch.... the "hard" way, would be to remove the head and manifold, and deal with it on a work bench, via torch and an impact gun..
IF you can get an impact or air rachet in there, I'd try that first... but if the bolt is too tight you may end up snapping the bolt...then you're left with cutting it off flush with the head, drilling and tapping it out.... You MIGHT be able to find a spare head in a salvage yard for cheap, to try a few methods out on that before working on yours....
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um
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
18:23:23
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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confusing, are your bolts stuck on the headers in your closet or on the headers on the engine
it isn't clear at all and could go either way
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FlameRed
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
18:44:53
|  RE: Header Bolts Suck
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They are stuck on the headers on the engine. Funny that Matt didn't seem to have any problem understanding that.
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ScojoDak
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
19:08:58
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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Can't hurt to try penetrating oil.
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um
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
21:49:30
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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Well FlameREd, Matt must be better at understanding stupid better than most of us. Here is what you said, "I am planning on installing some Gibson headers on my 1995 Dak, but I've had them in my closet for about a year because I can't get the darn exhaust bolts loose. "
Which header are we talking about? Those bolts sound to me like they are stuck on the ones in the closet, hence that is why you have left them in there for the past year.
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um
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
21:51:44
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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just because he was able to understand it doesn't mean you did a good job of explaining your problem
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FlameRed
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2004
23:05:18
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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Yes, you are correct. It does make sense that the bolts would be stuck on the headers in my closet. What was I thinking? Note the sarcasm. I figure I'd point that out to you as well.
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Relf
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2004
23:48:58
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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Hey FlameRed, what about a nut splitter? You can get one at a quality auto parts place. I don't know if it will fit in the header, though. worth a try. Relf.
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matt blough
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
02:46:41
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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sounds like he already has a "nut spliter" in the posts from um....how in the hell are the bolts gonna be such on a new set of headers? the bolts come in a bag with the headers...they don't preinstall them...NOTE THE POOR GRAMMAR..."Matt must be better at understanding stupid better than most of us." Sorry, I had to jump on that......I am not better at understanding stupid, I just guess I am more adjusted to dealing with people and their automotive work than you are, actually I worked as a sales-man/tech support for a restoration parts dealership.. I handled TONS of resto questions for early model mustangs...
Anyone with any experience with working with exhaust knows how hellishly hard those exhaust manifold bolts are to get loose... being in the place they are, they recieve the most heat influx...( that is, they go through the highest temperature flow from the head... for the "stupid" people)...by being attached to the cylinder head, they catch alot of the heat of the engines exhaust while it is running, and are exposed at the furthest part of the engine, so during the times the engine isn't running, they get to be the "coolest" part... also being exposed to all the elements...rain, ice, dirt, debris... those lil suckers can bring the most wickedest person out in you trying to get them out...along with lotsa bloody fingers..
BTW a nut splitter wont work, its design is to bust and spread a NUT loose from a bolt, such as an old leaf spring bolt..its design is to spread open the nut to slide loose over the threads of a bolt. it wont do a damned thing to the head of a bolt, but make a mess of it... I've tried it.....
Problem with penetrating oil is that the manifold is pressed flush against the head by those same bolts, its hard as hell to actually get enough of the lube to coat the threads.... worth the $4 for a can to try though...cheaper than renting a torch...
EVENTUALLY you will break em loose, you might try doing it with the engine heated up...this way works sometimes, the theory is the same as using the torch... METAL EXPANDS UNDER HEAT (thats for UM, in case he couldn't figure that out).... but unfortunately it also heats up the bolts too.
IF WORSE COMES TO WORSE>>> grind off the head of the bolts, remove your manifold, and use vise grips and a hammer to beat em out.. you wont be reusing them any way, this way may take a little longer though than my first suggestion......make sure you limit the amount of metal spray during grinding too... ya dont want metal shards all over yer engine bay!
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FlameRed
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
07:17:11
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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Thanks Matt, I've also heard that penetrating oil usually won't do a whole lot because of the bolts being flush and all, but thanks for all the tips. I didn't think that I had to mention that the bolts were stuck in the headers in the engine, not in my closet. But you just never know with some people. Thanks again.
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Merlin
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
07:47:16
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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When you finally do get the bolts out, put some anti seize compound on the threads of the new bolts before you install them. This will make them easier to remove if you ever have to. Anti seize withstands very high temperatures.
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FlameRed
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
07:50:45
|  RE: Header Bolts Suck
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That's a good point. Hopefully I won't have to remove my new headers once I get them on there, but you just never know with some things. Thanks for the advice.
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theduker25
Dodge Dakota
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5/28/2004
14:25:45
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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Get some PB Blaster bolt loosener at autozone or someplace. That stuff works exremely well. Let the bolt soak for a day or two. This worked wonders on a exhaust header on a different car.
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matt blough
Dodge Dakota
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5/29/2004
01:53:31
| RE: Header Bolts Suck
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Merlin has a good point, but just dont overdo it with the antiseize.. ya dont want em backing out on their own....
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jacob
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2010
00:16:24
| i cant get leaf spring
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shackel bolts out there stuck and iv been doing it the hard way by cutting them and prying and it sucks any easyer way
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