Date:         Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:13:15 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Exhaust Manifold Removal
Comments: To: tabe johnson <xtabe@YAHOO.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

tabe johnson wrote:
> I got one lonely reply to my exhaust removal
> question from the other day:  I have the nuts
> off, but the studs on the heads are in the
> way so I can't get the exhaust manifolds off.
>
> The reply I have so far is to heat up the studs
> again & turn them off with a vise grip.
>
> Does anyone have any other suggestions besides
> pulling the studs?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> tabe johnson/87 westy
>

It is my belief the there should be studs on only one end of a header
pipe and bolts on the other end.  Otherwise removal and installation is
not possible without seriously distorting the pipe.
   If you are discarding the old headers, you can cut them, but that
does not help you with the installation of the new ones.
   Sometimes a stud can be removed by putting two nuts on it and jamming
them together, if there is enough thread to work with.  If the old
header is out of the way, this is more likely.  Then you may also be
able to apply vise grips without messing up the threads if you care.
   Of course my view is that you should throw away the studs from one
end anyway and use bolts there.  The disadvantage of bolts is that
repeated removal after corrosion degrades the threads in the aluminum;
use anti-sieze.

bon chance,
Larry A.