Date:         Tue, 2 May 2006 13:22:39 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Exhaust stud & bolts removal problems
Comments: To: "Giasson, Pascal (DNR/MRN)" <Pascal.Giasson@GNB.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <A817922C9DAF504580C0D892C3436776011AB0D2@GNBEX01.gnb.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

The heat wrench has to be used as intelligently as other tools.

In the case of the nuts, you should have been heating THEM not the
studs (so that the nuts expand.)

In the case of the studs stuck into the heads, now you want to heat
the head NOT the stud (so that case expands. )


On May 2, 2006, at 7:36 AM, Giasson, Pascal (DNR/MRN) wrote:

> Well, I'm in the same situation as many of you have been in the past.
> I'm trying to get the exhaust bolts and studs out of the heads.  I
> pulled the motor because I knew I would have "fun" trying to get them
> out (plus I had a few other "little" things I needed to do which would
> be a lot easier with the engine out.  So fare I used Power Blaster to
> soak them, vibrated them with hammer and no luck.  Then I heated
> them up
> with a brazing torch, got them red hot and snapped the heads of two
> bolts and the stud would not turn either.  I tried the heat again
> on the
> stubs left from the bolts...no luck with Vice Grips...I twisted of
> a bit
> more of the bolt.  Soaking with PB again and will try a bolt out
> tool or
> a stud extractor.  I might try welding a nut on to see if that
> works but
> I cant see how that would be any more effective than getting the stubs
> red hot like I did already.  Very last resort will be drilling and
> extracting, but I'm not looking forward to that job :(
>
> Hopefully the water pump and thermostat come of better...Camping
> season
> is almost here...
>
> Pascal
> '84 Westy