Exhaust to turbo bolts stuck

SlowWhite · 09-24-2014

Went out to try to replace the gasket that blew out, what I thought would be a simple job has now become a PIA.

For starters the front 2 bolts on the FP race manifold are stuck, one i started to round the edges of the bolt, so I stopped on that one. the 2nd has 5 washers under it and is also stuck.

The back two bolts which I know are there I cant even feel so I will come back to them later.

I turned the car on and let it come up to temp, heating up the bolts thinking that would help but still no go.

Any suggestions? It has a heat blacket on the exhaust manifold that I'm not sure how to take off with out cutting the wire pieces which look are holding it the manifold (not sure what/where to get new ones if I do this)

Sockets wont fit around the bolts due to the manifold, so I have is the standard wrench heat to apply torque.

blackrosenova400 · 09-24-2014

If you can get a hold of one an oxy acetylene torch would be your best bet. Never heat up the bolt your removing. Heat up its surrounding area and fast, as the faster you heat up the surrounding area the bigger the temperature variation you will have with the surrounding area and the bolt. Heating up the surrounding area will cause it to expand and thus free the bolt if there is enough temperature variance. An oxy acetylene torch is about the only thing that will heat fast enough to do this.

**Kracka** · 09-24-2014

A few cans of PB Blaster and slowly working the bolts in/out in/out repetitively works sometimes too. Try doing it cold after letting the Blaster soak overnight...sometimes it helps. USE HIGH-TEMP COPPER ANTI-SEIZE DURING REASSEMBLY!

SlowWhite · 09-24-2014

ya didnt have any other heat source so thought i'd try just warming the car up.

Will head out in a bit to get some bp blaster and a torch.

blackrosenova400 · 09-24-2014

+1 on the copper anti seize. Its what I use and an impact will take out the bolts every time. Impact is better in these situations if your careful and have access.

**Kracka** · 09-24-2014

I have heard getting to the bolts on those FP manifolds can be a real challenge

**scheides** · 09-24-2014

Band saw?

SlowWhite · 09-24-2014

Joy. Just found out the bolts are the fp manifold bolts and they are $60 to replace.

Man I hope a torch will get these loose

b00sted_spyder · 09-24-2014

If you ruin them, ARP's are a lot cheaper and better.

Alpha D · 09-24-2014

Downpipe off from O2.... manifold of from head...work assembly on bench, or bring to me and ill get them off for you. Have a torch at work...else...a lot of time patience and maybe a propane torch might do the trick...doubt it but worth a shot else do it the long way

SlowWhite · 09-24-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha D

Downpipe off from O2.... manifold of from head...work assembly on bench, or bring to me and ill get them off for you. Have a torch at work...else...a lot of time patience and maybe a propane torch might do the trick...doubt it but worth a shot else do it the long way

I would bring the car but I live in south carolina lol.

Going to work on it this weekend so im not so rushed trying to fix it before work.(still need it to get me there and back)

SlowWhite · 09-25-2014

Well went out and got the pb blaster. And soaked the front two bolts to test.

The one with all the washers came loose 2 turns before stopping again.

The 2nd wouldn't budge.

Im off oct 6-12 th i will be pulling the whole turbo system off the car and hopefully get it all squared away.

Alpha D · 09-25-2014

Oh wow...i thought that was a joke...S.C! Hmmm no acces to torch and no acces to air tools either huh... hmmmm small propane torch...hammer and lots of pb blaster...heat either by really driving it hard....cycle spraying driving...spraying..driving...still dont work...then get a water hose....spray it...heat it up by driving and torch then cool it down...hit it some...itll try and brake any corrosion if there is any present...the turning and stoping most likely is signs of jacked up threads or deformed ones

KEEP TRYING

Alpha D · 09-25-2014

Oh why dont you just drive by your local neigboor hood mechanic im sure theyll have a torch dude! and have them heat it up glowing RED!!!!!

blackrosenova400 · 09-26-2014

You could remove the turbo with with the exhaust manifold to make things easier.

**JET** · 09-26-2014

If it went 2 turns and stopped you are screwed. That bolt is going to bust off. Never had one that did that and ended up coming out ok. Doing the trick Hughes mentioned about moving it in and out with pb blaster between each time will get it out farther, but I had those bust off too basically every time. You are going to need an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut them and don't aim the sparks at the radiator. I think it was Blizz that put a hole in his radiator doing that :P

**Kracka** · 09-26-2014

KARE11 called...and I miss The Blizz.

SlowWhite · 09-30-2014

I'll be pulling the entire turbo system out this weekend (gives me 9 days to get it back on the road before I have to head to work.

I have a few other things to install as well.

If i happen to need to get new bolts, any national chain stores carry them?

**Kracka** · 09-30-2014

You ARE going to need to bolts, I can guarantee you that. I'd order them now and have them ready to install. If by some miracle you don't need to use them, the $5 in return postage would be well worth the peace of mind from having them on-hand.

C3L1CA · 09-30-2014

^x2. I really liked my arp bolts from ffwd for the fp manifold