Removing exhaust manifold bolts?

I think the link probably showed a cutoff wheel. Get the reinforced ones, the cheap ones shatter very easily (wear eye protection, of course).


BTW Pete, my Dremel may be a cheap homeowners tool, but it is 30 years old, still running on the original brushes & has been run hard many times. It has been a great tool.

8122pbrainard wrote: You should be able to cut into the head most of the way without hitting the casting with the standard Dremel cut off wheel/arbor. Then with a cold chisel break it off (remember it's hard!!) the rest of the way. You may then need to go back at it with a mounted stone to remove what's left of the head.

SNobsessed wrote: BTW Pete, my Dremel may be a cheap homeowners tool, but it is 30 years old, still running on the original brushes & has been run hard many times. It has been a great tool.

Chris,
You are correct. I should have used the term "inexpensive" rather than "cheap". I too have enjoyed having a Dremel. I used to think of them as a gimmick until I bought one for a project and found out how handy they are. I've never had issues with brushes but rather bearings. The bearings went out on my first one so I just went out and bought a second Dremel kit.

Good to hear Tom. Damn, I forgot all about telling you that the reinforced wheel would probably work best but I'm glad you figured it out.
I have an air compressor with a cutting tool but that thing just wouldn't get in that tight space at all so no reason to mention it. It's always available if you need one though.

Again, let me know if you need any help. I'll do whatever I can.

I ran into this issue when replacing the manifolds on my 1970 ski nautique. I used a grinder to take off the head of the bolt and the with the manifold removed used vice grips to unscrew the base. This probably wasn't the correct way to go about it but it worked well for me

I realize the thread revolved more around stuck bolts (which is a good topic) but, the OP was doing this to change valve cover gaskets.

For others reading, you may want to try a swivel socket to access valve cover bolts. Not a socket with a swivel attached but a socket with the swivel built in.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-4963-Impact-Universal-3-Piece/dp/B000NPT6IE/ref=sr_1_1/189-9134765-7127868?ie=UTF8&qid=1402400783&sr=8-1&keywords=swivel+socket

The U-Joint type are narrower than the ball/cup type like sears has.

I was able to easily access the valve cover bolts to snug them up last year (87 nautique). I believe you could get them off without removing the manifolds...but, I could be wrong.

YMMV
-Chow