Can I heat up the head to remove exhaust manifold studs on a 3406B?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Rick Wilmath, Jul 22, 2019.

  1. Rick Wilmath

    Rick Wilmath Light Load Member

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    May 15, 2016
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    Two of the exhaust manifold nuts broke off so I am going to replace them. The studs are sticking out so I can get a pair of vice grips or pipe wrench on them. I have soaked them in PB blaster but I don't know if that is going to be enough.

    Can I heat the head to make it easier to remove those studs? If so, is it ok to apply heat just to the area where the studs are located?

    Thanks
     
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  3. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    personally, i would not recommend doing that. you run the risk of going over board and doing damage to the head.

    but if you have no other choice, i'd go with a propane torch over accylcalene (sp?)
     
  4. Ffx95

    Ffx95 Road Train Member

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    You don’t have an inductor coil tool used to heat bolts up? They work great and you run less risk of burning something else.
     
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  5. MartinFromBC

    MartinFromBC Road Train Member

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    Heat the stud itself, not the head. Hit it with a torch until it just starts to glow, then quickly remove it.
     
  6. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    I have not had luck doing this. Heating the stud expands the stud and will likely cause the threads to be galled together and bind.

    You can heat it but flash it cold with water or wait for it to cool to room temperature before trying to remove.

    Weld removal works the same. Let it cool. The heat soaking is what breaks the bond.
     
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  7. BUMBACLADWAR

    BUMBACLADWAR Road Train Member

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    Typically...would clean what piece of bolt is remaining,then do a quick "spot weld of a nut onto the stud,then wrench it out.Usually worked.JMO
     
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  8. stayinback

    stayinback Road Train Member

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    Yeah,The Old Nut Trick- But make sure your weld is half way decent........You don't want to hear "Mother ####er" While tools are being thrown across the garage.
     
  9. Rick Wilmath

    Rick Wilmath Light Load Member

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    Thanks everybody for the help.
    Ffx95 What is a induction coil tool?
    Bumbacladwar... I have heard of this idea before but one of the studs was broken when I over-torqed the nut. If the stud is seized in the head I don't see how this will help.
     
  10. jake744

    jake744 Light Load Member

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    If you have a welder stick a nut over the stud and weld the stud to center of nut and back her out. I’ve gotten dozens of cat exhaust manifold studs out this way. Works every time.
     
    tommymonza, Bean Jr. and 1951 ford Thank this.
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