exhaust donut and bolts

[txstbobcat]

Perplexed here...

I am putting a new donut on the exhaust manifold and it seems like the bolts are now about 1/8" too short. The nuts will not catch.

Any advice other than replace the studs? and if that's the answer, how do i get them out after 45 years of being on there?

[62 short step]

Do you have any pics? Are you sure its the right gaskets?

[protrash64]

How about clamping them to get the nuts started? C-clamp or vice grip; something?

[MacAttack]

May be easier to remove the exhaust manifolds.

Heating the ends of the manifolds up with a propane torch (if you’ve got the clearance to do so) and then melting a candle on the top of the bolt thru-holes (if they do go through) may work.

The wax will penetrate and might break the bolts loose.

I’ve done this on some manifolds before to get the studs out, but always out of the vehicle because of the fire hazard. If you try to double-nut these things off with just some sort of spray penetrant to break the studs loose, you’ll usually just snap them off - especially if they’re eroded from all the heat over the years.

Good Luck.

Mac.

[txstbobcat]

its the gasket that came with the gasket set. i went to the parts store to check and they came out with the exact same one.

i tried the clamp thing.... didn't work....

i soaked it with penetrating oil tonite...see what happens tomorrow.