62 Exhaust Manifolds

[Shane]

I am working on restoring my 62 Buick Special, 215 Alum. V8. I took the exhaust manifolds off the engine and then in the process of removing them from the exhaust pie, I broke 3 off the bolts. I have tried everything to remove the bolts from their home in the exhaust manifold flange. I have heated, used every penetrating oil, ez-out's, anything out there. the only thing that I do not have is an acetylene torch, but this may just melt everything together. I think now I am at the point, where I will just have to get new ones or repos. Any suggestions as to a location for a pair or getting these bolts out? Thanks.

[bluewhale13]

Are the bolts broken off down inside of the head or are they sticking up some? If they are down inside the block I would very carefully begin drilling them out slowly. Start with a small bit and work your way up to the correct size. If you have a large drill press I would reccomend using it. If you don't any competent machine shop should be able to help you out. I would not reccomend heating the head. There is a large possibility of annealing the metal and ending up in worse shape than a few broken bolts. Once you have gotten the bolts out I would place helicore inserts into all of the bolt hole in the head including the ones on the intake side. I know this may sound like overkill, but any time I have an opportunity to have the heads off of one of these motors I consider it to be cheap insurance against future problems. [img]graemlins/shield.gif[/img]

[Shane]

Thanks for the info. I think that I explained it wrong though. The bolts are not in the haed. Those bolts came out effortlessly. Someone was smart here and put anti-seize on them. The bolts are broken off in the exhaust manifold flange that bolts to the "Y" pipe on the exhaust. Thanks for the info though as I will remember this if one breaks off in the head.

[bluewhale13]

If you needed to heat them I would try using a propane torch that is nomally used to sweat pipe together in a plumbing application. I've gone this route on more than one occasion. By using the propane torch vs. a more convetional oxyactelyne you have more control and the heat and it is not as hot. I would check with Cars Inc. for the repo bolts or contact the Buick Farm if you needed NOS bolts.

[the skylark]

I'm a long way away here in NC, but if you're not able to save the manifold, I may have an extra besides the ones I want to save. just let us know how you come out.