Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2005 02:13:51 -0700
Reply-To: jbclem1 <jbclem1@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jbclem1 <jbclem1@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: removing engine studs: more questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Wes,
Try cleaning up(or making new threads) the rusted threads with a 8mm x 1.25 die. If you can get
some useable threads then you can try double nutting the stud. There also are stud removal tools,
devices that will fit over the stud and grab it when you twist the device. I'm sure you've thought
of vice grips, but sometimes a little judicious heating with a propane torch will pave the way for
the vice grip to work. If I was going to try a torch I would be extremely careful using it,
possibly making a metal shield/blocking device to keep the flame or heat from going anywhere but to
the flange the exhaust studs fit into. I might also remove the injectors from their ports and get
them and their hoses up out of the way. And I wouldn't do it without a good face shield protecting
my eyes.
Get some penetrating oil on those studs and let it sit overnight. What you don't want to happen is
have a stud break off. If that happens it will be a royal pain to have to drill out the broken stub
while lying on your back under the van.
Driving without exhaust pipes is not good for the engine, possibly exposing red hot exhaust valves
to cold air. But now that I think about it, it might help to warm up the engine before trying to
double nut or vice grip a stud. It's tricky...you don't want to do it for too long because it's bad
for the engine, and you'd rather not have the engine too hot to touch, but on the other hand it
might make the stud come out easier. I think that before I tried a propane torch I'd let the engine
idle enough to warm up a bit and see if that helped get a stud out.
New stainless steel studs should prevent the problem from reoccurring.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wesley Alden Pegden" <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 8:25 AM
Subject: removing engine studs: more questions
> Hi all...
> I emailed the list a few weeks ago about my upcoming intentions to remove the exhaust studs from
the front end of my engine (they are rusted to the point of uselessness) in the process of changing
my exhaust pipes. (I've already removed the rear pipes: they were bolted on, instead of being
attached with studs). After looking through the archives, I have some questions.
>
> The simplest, most promising suggestion I found was to weld a good nut onto the the stud, and then
use this to grip the stud for removal. Unfortunately, I have no experience with welding. What
kind of setup would I need? Would this be a significant purchase? Would welding in cramped
quarters under the vanagon be difficult?
>
> Another question... although I hate paying other people to work on cars for me... how much could I
expect to pay someone else to do this? For that matter... Can I drive the car (i.e. to a shop),
with some of the exhaust pipes removed from the engine? It would certainly be loud... but would it
be bad as well? (with all those hot gases in the engine compartment...?)
>
> Thanks for any help!
> Wes
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