Damaged Exhaust Manifold Stud

[Corbic]

Back-Story, so after my Catt's baked themselves my mustang started dying at idle, easy remedy, I bought a O/R pipe for $100. Being a go-getter and all, I decided to have a shop loosen all my rusted exhaust bolts. Local shopped did that for $30, but it seemed worth it, as they had to torch most of them to get them loose.

Well I don't actually start on the project till a few days latter. Turns out they didn't even attempt to loosen the upper passenger side bolt coming off the exhaust manifold. I go back and get them do to it. It takes 3 guys 40 minutes to figure it out and they finally get it off, after stripping it to hell.

Well I get home, bolt up the new X-Pipe... and I can't torque down that bolt. It gets half way... and stops. Using a swivel, I have no idea how to force it, the impact will just brake the swivel. I doubt there is anything the shop can do. I can't get a bolt in there, let alone a have a new stud put in and if I'm going to replace the exhaust manifold, I might as well just do a whole freaking engine swap... seeing that would be more simple.

Am I up @#%ts creek or what? How the hell do most guys do this crap, there is ZERO room in this engine bay for even basic maintenance.

I'm thinking that the only thin I could do is make a spacer some how to fill that 1/4 inch void left by the nut refusing to go foward... :BangHead:

 

[96stallionGT]

Maybe you could try some lock washers to take up the space, IDK! Im kinda having the same prob. only mine wont come off.

 

[Corbic]

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!

"space" the side between the nut and flange!!!!

I feel so god damn dumb right now.

That's!


As for your issue, take it to a shop. They can get it on a lift for better acess and hit it with a torch. I would never have been able to get mine off.