Exhaust manifold and broken bolts

[Bigskyroadglide]

Well, I've been putting it off for months (years) but today I finally tackled my exhaust manifold leak.

Only 1/2 done as I chose to take on the passenger side first being as it is(was) the loudest.

Nothing fancy, removed stock manifold, replacement is new stock manifold. Original was warped by about an 1/16 of an inch, maybe less.

No real photos as subject matter has been covered. Two broken bolts (rear), snapped off at the head, drilled and spun out with left hand bit.

Had to purchase a close quarters or right angle drill but no worries, it worked. Truck is at 138k. This is first time bolts were replaced.

Phase 2 tomorrow......

If you have your truck krowned or fluid filmed, you know I'm still washing sheep oil out of my clothes.

 

[Cowboy Brick]

Why not replace everything with aftermarket headers?

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Y'all can go to hell, I'm goin' to Texas.
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[Bigskyroadglide]

If I had wanted headers, I would have bought em. Don't like em, my truck, my money, my time.

I do me, you do you.

 

[Tim Garceau]

Not everyone needs more power/torque/economy, that chassis is clean though.

 

[tidefan1967]

He might not have wanted the extra noise and heat that headers bring. I probably would have just milled a few thousandths off the old manifold(s) and reused em as they probably won't warp again. Of course if you made it to 138K and this is the first time you had to deal with it that's pretty damn good.

 

[Longhorn1500]

Hey all. I'm thinking I might have the subject leak. There is a somewhat loud ticking sound when the truck is started cold. After about a minute, the noise is gone. It is only on the passenger side. About 40k miles on the truck. Does this sound like the manifold bolt issue?

 

[Simpleman]

Hey all. I'm thinking I might have the subject leak. There is a somewhat loud ticking sound when the truck is started cold. After about a minute, the noise is gone. It is only on the passenger side. About 40k miles on the truck. Does this sound like the manifold bolt issue?

Hey all. I'm thinking I might have the subject leak. There is a somewhat loud ticking sound when the truck is started cold. After about a minute, the noise is gone. It is only on the passenger side. About 40k miles on the truck. Does this sound like the manifold bolt issue?

Sure does but stand on the passengers side and start it with the remote. you'll know then. mine broke at 35k i replaced both sides wasnt gonna trust the stealership & warranty i wanted all studs & the gaskets changed

 

[Triumphx]

If you didn’t want headers i would of milled them down, chances of warping the new ones are just as high. I have a set of ARH headers sitting in the garage waiting for some free time, the obligatory way to go imo

 

[Lyle Longboat]

Just throw in shorties if you don’t want to hassle of customizing your whole exhaust for LTs. I had this happen and didn’t deal with it until last year. Damn truck had 180k on it when I bit the bullet. Been ticking on cold starts since roughly 75k. Threw on LTs and a full custom exhaust and done with it. Still don’t know why I waited so long.

 

[Lyle Longboat]

Hey all. I'm thinking I might have the subject leak. There is a somewhat loud ticking sound when the truck is started cold. After about a minute, the noise is gone. It is only on the passenger side. About 40k miles on the truck. Does this sound like the manifold bolt issue?

Try and wiggle the rear of the heat shield, last bolt. If it moves any, you got the broken bolt.

 

[Longhorn1500]

Try and wiggle the rear of the heat shield, last bolt. If it moves any, you got the broken bolt.

Good idea... I did this and, sure enough, the heat shield was loose at the rear. It feels like a bolt is broken. Thank you!!

 

[El Huapo]

So I have to ask: is this broken exhaust manifold bolts and/or stuck bolts breaking off strictly a V8 hemi problem? Is this something that happens to the V6's too? Mine is very new, so if this a likely problem, maybe I should pull them now before they seize up and goop 'em up with anti-seize? Or maybe that'd make it worse for loosening up...hmmm. Replace them with some grade 5's or 8's?

 

[Lyle Longboat]

So I have to ask: is this broken exhaust manifold bolts and/or stuck bolts breaking off strictly a V8 hemi problem? Is this something that happens to the V6's too? Mine is very new, so if this a likely problem, maybe I should pull them now before they seize up and goop 'em up with anti-seize? Or maybe that'd make it worse for loosening up...hmmm. Replace them with some grade 5's or 8's?

Yes they are known to break as well on the 3.7 V6. It doesn’t matter which bolts you use, it’s the manifolds that warp due to heat over time. Your best bet is to switch out manifolds with shorties, unless you want Long tube headers and customize your exhaust (more money).
I personally did the LTs and custom as I didn’t want to deal with the broken bolts again.

 

[Longhorn1500]

So, after figuring out that I "most likely" had a broken exhaust manifold bolt, I took the truck to my mechanic for the repair (I purchased a service contract when I bought the truck). I told them what I found and the guy thanked me. So, after a few days, I called them. The owner answered (who I have worked with quite a bit over the years) and said he figured out that it was a broken exhaust manifold bolt (?!). He said it was a difficult diagnosis, he first tightened all the spark plugs before he found the broken bolt (that I told the other guy about!). I almost wrote a note to leave on the front seat, next time I will do that. Frustrating that these guys pay little or no attention to what the owners say. He did say he has the manifold at a local machinist (who I know quite well) for resurfacing, so that is good.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Communication Key to success, And what a ******** thinking the spark plugs were loose.

 

[Brander]

So Im replacing the busted manifold bolts and gaskets and came across this, the bolt is busted off, less than flush with the head?? Any brilliant tips suggestions, has anyone used any of the "new technology" extractors??? I still have just an old school square set.
THANKS

 

[Cableman]

Weld a nut on while holding it with some long nose pliers, guy on YouTube does that.

 

[Hemi832]

Weld a nut on while holding it with some long nose pliers, guy on YouTube does that.

Just had mine done and it worked perfectly.

 

[Brander]

That will not bugger up the threads? The end of the bolt is about 1/8 below flush with the head

 

[Brander]

Never mind, just watched the video and thats exaxtly my situation with the one bolt. Ill give that a whirl, should work gine. The bolt that were not broke came out quite easy so...