Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

I am in the middle of an argument with my dad. We are restoring everything off of my 66 mustang 289 V8 engine right now which is still in the engine compartment. He says that there is no way to remove the exhaust manifolds without snapping the bolts...it is inevitable. The car has been sitting for about 10 years and he might be right? He wants me to refinish the manifolds while they are still on the engine...is this possible? Anyone have any experiance with this?

Re: Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

I don't see why this would be a problem, the bolts should come right out. Heck, most people have problems with them wanting to come loose on their own.

Re: Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

Your friend maybe right about the breaking of them. As the heat/cool cycles go through the years the bolts rust and freeze in the cylinder heads. Yep, they snap and have to be removed. Usually drilled out. NOW YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

If the bolt breaks off flush with the head the manifold will come off. But, it sometimes breaks half way down or so and the manifold wouldn't come off. Either way the head usually has to come off. Not enough room to work on broken bolt, drill, chisel, etc.

You may get lucky and they'll come out. Maybe...

Good Luck

Re: Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

It is very possible they will break off. If you decide to try it, make sure and soak them in some PB blaster. Be prepared to have to take the heads off worst case scenario though.

Re: Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

Wow. I've never heard of this happening. I guess you learn something new everyday.

Re: Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

While it is possible that exhaust manifold bolts may break during manifold removal, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. Soak them in penetrating oil before attemting removal as rwhite suggested. Exhaust manifolds are normally unbolted each time a head is removed. I don't believe that the bolts break all that often.

Rev

Re: Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

On my 79 Ford I was able to get them all out. On the 93 Ranger I just worked on, 3 of the 6 broke on me even after I soaked them. :( Good luck

Re: Removing Exhaust Manifolds 66 Mustang
 

yea spray them a few time in the day and let it sit...dont try to heat it up eaither .... you can drill them out if u have to get it flush and center punch it smack dab in the middle u dont need to take the heads off to do it un less u feel more comfortable .....i just drilled out 2 on a ford escape at work and theres no room under the hood of an escape ull be fine eaither way not the end of the world